The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced the 10 winning start-ups of the ninth edition of Start-up Express at its Final Pitching Day on June 25, 2026. The winners span sectors including smart city solutions, green tech, and health tech, reflecting the growing momentum among Hong Kong start-ups in translating innovative technologies into practical applications.
The ESG Award was presented to BioZein Technology Corporation Limited for its commitment to sustainability and social impact, while Homing Therapeutics Limited received the My Favourite Start-up Award. The 20 finalists pitched their ideas to a judging panel, and the winners will now participate in a series of local and overseas business events organized by the HKTDC to build capability, explore markets, seek funding partners, and enhance brand awareness.
HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Anna Cheung said: “When we launched Start-up Express in 2018, we had one simple goal: to help Hong Kong start-ups grow and flourish. Since then, we have supported 80 start-ups in building capacity, enhancing their visibility, making connections, finding new partners and investors and seizing opportunities and markets previously out of their reach.”
The 10 winning start-ups 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. The competition attracted over 200 industry participants, including investors and business leaders.
Judge Jimmy Tao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Startup Council, commended the start-ups for embracing emerging technology trends. “Many of this year’s finalists have successfully integrated artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies into practical applications, demonstrating strong commercial potential,” he said. Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem continues to flourish, with the number of start-ups reaching a record high of 5,221 last year, an 11% increase year-on-year.
Past winner Taranjit Singh, Chief Technology Officer of Entoptica, highlighted the value of Start-up Express: “It provided valuable opportunities to connect with investors and industry mentors, helping us secure funding to advance clinical trials and expand production capacity.” He noted that participation in CES 2026, a trip led by the HKTDC, enabled his company to connect with potential partners and sell two prototype products at US$100,000 each.
The HKTDC also runs Start-up Express International, which since 2022 has attracted start-ups from around the world. The fifth edition will be held during Entrepreneur Day in December 2026, supporting overseas start-ups to establish a presence in Hong Kong and explore opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and international markets.
For more information on Start-up Express, visit the official website. Details on the 20 finalists are available here.
