The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced the 10 winning start-ups of the ninth Start-up Express program after the Final Pitching Day on June 25, 2026. The winners were selected from 20 finalists and represent sectors including smart city solutions, green technology, health technology, and medical technology, reflecting the increasing diversity and adoption of innovation across industries. The ESG Award was presented to BioZein Technology Corporation Limited for sustainability and social impact, while Homing Therapeutics Limited received the My Favourite Start-up Award.
Launched in 2018, Start-up Express aims to help Hong Kong start-ups grow and flourish. To date, the program has supported 80 start-ups in building capacity, enhancing visibility, making connections, and finding partners and investors. Anna Cheung, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director, said: “We champion Hong Kong’s brightest startups by connecting them to the world to scale and succeed. Proudly, we stand with our winners every step of the way, unlocking partnerships, investment, and the power to build a global brand.”
The winning start-ups will participate in a series of local and overseas business events organized by the HKTDC, providing opportunities to build capability and connections, explore markets, seek business and funding partners, and enhance brand awareness. This year’s Final Pitching Day attracted more than 200 industry participants, including investors and business leaders, with booths set up to facilitate networking and collaboration.
The 10 winners are: Alpha AI Technology Limited, BioZein Technology Corporation Limited, GABES Limited, Hay-koze Limited, Homing Therapeutics Limited, Muuse Limited, O-Spheres Limited, PetWell HK Limited, PregnaSense Co. Limited, and Pyramid AI Limited. Many of these start-ups have integrated artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies into practical applications, demonstrating strong commercial potential. Judge Jimmy Tao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Startup Council, noted: “The quality of participating start-ups continues to improve year after year. Many of this year’s finalists have successfully integrated artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies into practical applications, demonstrating strong commercial potential.”
Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem has flourished, with the number of start-ups reaching 5,221 last year, an 11% year-on-year increase. This growth reinforces Hong Kong’s position as an ideal destination for business and investment. Through Start-up Express, winners are well placed to expand into new markets and accelerate growth.
Taranjit Singh, Chief Technology Officer of Entoptica, a 2025 winner, shared how Start-up Express helped his company connect with investors and industry mentors, secure funding for clinical trials, and expand production capacity. Participation in HKTDC-led events, such as CES 2026, enabled Entoptica to establish connections with potential partners from Shanghai, Japan, and the United States, and successfully sold two prototype products at US$100,000 each.
Since launching Start-up Express International in 2022, the HKTDC has attracted start-ups from Chinese Mainland, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the UAE, and the US, among others. The fifth edition will be held during Entrepreneur Day in December 2026, providing winning overseas start-ups with support to establish a presence in Hong Kong and leverage the city as a gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets.
More information about Start-up Express is available at https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/. Details on the 20 finalists can be found at https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/s/Top-20. The HKTDC continues to promote Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub, organizing international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions to create opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs, in mainland and international markets.
