EPIC 2025, organised by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), has reached new heights with the 9th edition witnessing an influx of global applications hitting close to 1,200, entering from more than 70 economies, setting a record for the I&T arena, gaining international recognition, and regional representation for the development of I&T ecosystems.
With the application period open from March to June, the response to participating in one of Asia’s largest innovation arenas has taken off where global startups with solutions in Digital Health Tech, FinTech, and Green Tech will be seen at 60-second pitches to get through to an unprecedented US$100M targeted investment funding and US$240,000 cash prizes, backed by 20 global financial and corporate partners that manage collectively of an AUM close to US$100B and operate across Asia, Europe and North America.
Monetary payoff aside, business matching and investment opportunities, as well as an extensive experience will be made available throughout EPIC Week––putting innovative solutions on display for potential investors and corporate decision makers with Tech Spotlight, and pulling a glimpse into the vast opportunities of the cities with Greater Bay Area Exploration guided tour––the series of highlights entailing complimentary flight and accommodation sponsored (*T&C applies) to contestants overseas, are set to enable mid- to late-stage startups to grow from indigenous names to international labels.
“First time ever that we’re met with over a thousand applications, it’s a feat right off the bat––we’re expecting to see more aspiring tech gurus and their auspicious ideas rise to this year’s shifts,” said Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP.
Currently in the works, multiple regional pitching sessions will be held July to August, for the best and brightest in US, Europe, APAC and Hong Kong, to show and tell a story of their visions, where only the top 100 will be making it to the next round into the finals, taking place in November at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong’s former international airport furbished to be a runway for an expedition in tech.
