Hong Kong Showcases 20 Start-ups at VivaTech 2025: Hong Kong showcases 20 start-ups at VivaTech 2025, highlighting the city’s strategic push to position itself as a leading international innovation hub. Held in Paris from May 22 to 25, 2025, VivaTech is Europe’s premier technology event, gathering over 2,500 exhibitors and more than 150,000 attendees worldwide. This platform enables start-ups, investors, corporates, and policymakers to connect, collaborate, and accelerate technology development.
Hong Kong’s delegation, organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), exemplifies a broad spectrum of cutting-edge sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, green technologies, health tech, and robotics. These start-ups are leveraging the city’s unique position in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to bridge innovation ecosystems between China, Asia, and the world.
Hong Kong Showcases 20 Start-ups at VivaTech 2025
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | VivaTech 2025, Paris, May 22–25, 2025 |
| Participants | 20 Hong Kong start-ups selected by HKSTP and HKTDC |
| Supporting Bodies | Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) |
| Focus Sectors | AI, Fintech, Green Technology, HealthTech, Robotics |
| Strategic Objectives | Showcase Hong Kong as a tech innovation hub, foster international partnerships, promote the Greater Bay Area |
| Notable Officials | Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Prof. Sun Dong, Chief Scientist of HKSTP |
| Official Website | VivaTech Official |
Hong Kong’s delegation of 20 innovative start-ups at VivaTech 2025 illustrates the city’s determined push to establish itself as a global innovation hub. Supported by robust government initiatives and strategically integrated into the Greater Bay Area, these start-ups are poised to capture international markets and investment.
VivaTech offers more than just exposure—it is a critical step for Hong Kong start-ups to build credibility, attract capital, and forge lasting partnerships. As the global tech landscape evolves, Hong Kong’s role as a gateway between East and West continues to strengthen, making it an indispensable player in the future of innovation.
Why VivaTech Is a Crucial Stage for Hong Kong’s Innovation Strategy
The Global Tech Ecosystem at VivaTech
VivaTech is recognized globally as one of the most influential tech gatherings, akin to CES in the United States or Web Summit in Europe. It serves as a convergence point for emerging start-ups, multinational tech giants, venture capitalists, and government leaders. The event features keynote speeches, pitch competitions, innovation showcases, and workshops — all geared toward fostering collaboration and accelerating tech adoption.
Hong Kong’s participation signals the city’s strong commitment to becoming a global innovation powerhouse. It reflects the government’s strategic intent to develop cross-border innovation linkages, attract foreign direct investment, and nurture talent that can thrive in a global knowledge economy.
The Greater Bay Area (GBA): Hong Kong’s Innovation Backbone
The Greater Bay Area, comprising nine cities in Guangdong Province plus Hong Kong and Macau, represents a US$2 trillion economy with a population exceeding 86 million. The GBA initiative aims to create a world-class city cluster, capitalizing on the combined strengths of financial services, manufacturing, technology, and research.
Hong Kong contributes its international financial services, legal infrastructure, and open economy to the GBA. At the same time, it benefits from Guangdong’s manufacturing base and vast consumer market. This synergy creates an unmatched environment for innovation to flourish.
Profiling the 20 Hong Kong Start-ups at VivaTech 2025
The selected start-ups showcase not just technological excellence but also solutions with real-world impact. Below are profiles of some standout companies representing Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem:
1. Expando®: AI-Powered B2B Growth Engine
Expando® is revolutionizing business partnerships through its AI-driven referral platform, enabling companies to automate partner discovery and co-selling. This technology accelerates customer acquisition by creating network effects in B2B markets. It’s a great example of how AI can boost sales productivity and ecosystem growth.
2. Gense Technologies: Portable Medical Imaging
Gense Technologies designs affordable, portable imaging devices aimed at improving healthcare access, particularly in remote or under-served regions. Their innovation is timely, considering the aging demographics in Asia-Pacific and the global push for decentralized healthcare.
3. Miotech: ESG Data Analytics for Finance
As Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations become vital in investment decisions, Miotech offers cutting-edge ESG data and analytics. Their platform helps asset managers and banks comply with increasingly stringent global sustainability regulations, such as those recommended by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
4. Neurum Health: AI-Powered Mental Wellness
Mental health has become a priority worldwide, and Neurum Health addresses this through an AI-powered digital platform providing personalized insights and cognitive behavioral support. By blending neuroscience and behavioral data, the platform offers scalable mental health solutions.
5. Rice Robotics: Autonomous Service Robots
Rice Robotics creates autonomous service robots deployed in commercial and healthcare settings. Their robots enhance operational efficiency and reduce human contact points—a capability proven valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hong Kong’s Government Initiatives Supporting Innovation
Hong Kong’s vibrant start-up scene is underpinned by comprehensive government support schemes designed to fuel R&D, talent development, and internationalization:
InnoHK: Creating World-Class Research Clusters
Launched in 2018, InnoHK is a major government initiative investing over HK$20 billion to build two flagship research clusters: the Health@InnoHK and AIR@InnoHK (AI and robotics). These clusters bring together universities, industry players, and start-ups to promote commercialization of research breakthroughs.
Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS)
TechTAS expedites the visa process for highly skilled tech professionals, facilitating rapid talent recruitment from overseas—a critical factor in maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness.
HK Tech 300 Program
HK Tech 300 is a start-up accelerator program managed by HKSTP that provides funding, mentorship, and global market access opportunities. Many of the start-ups at VivaTech 2025 have roots in this program.
Financial Incentives and Grants
The Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) offers grants to encourage private sector R&D projects, while the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) supports businesses expanding overseas.
How Start-ups Can Maximize Opportunities at VivaTech
Participation in VivaTech goes beyond just exhibiting. Start-ups can optimize their presence through strategic preparation and follow-up:
Step 1: Join an Incubation or Accelerator Program
Align yourself with a reputable program like HKSTP incubation, Cyberport, or university-led initiatives. These programs provide crucial funding, mentoring, and often direct access to international events.
Step 2: Prepare a Compelling Pitch
Customize your pitch to highlight your unique value proposition, scalability, and customer traction. Practice with industry mentors and use data-driven storytelling to engage investors.
Step 3: Engage in Networking Proactively
Before and during VivaTech, arrange one-on-one meetings with potential investors, partners, and customers. Use VivaTech’s matchmaking platform and social events to build connections.
Step 4: Leverage Media and PR
Participate in panel discussions and demos. Work with PR teams to amplify your story through global media, boosting credibility.
Step 5: Post-Event Follow-Up and Scaling
Follow up promptly with contacts. Explore accelerators in Europe such as Station F in Paris or Techstars programs to deepen market entry.
Real Success Stories: From VivaTech to Global Markets
Hong Kong start-ups that have participated in previous VivaTech events exemplify the potential trajectory:
- Fano Labs raised Series A funding after VivaTech 2019 and expanded into Southeast Asia with AI voice recognition products.
- GoGoX secured logistics partnerships in Europe, building on exposure gained at VivaTech.
- Origami Labs, creators of a voice-controlled wearable, signed European distribution deals post-event.
These examples demonstrate how VivaTech serves as a launchpad for global growth.
Implications for Industry Professionals and Policymakers
For professionals in venture capital, corporate innovation, or public policy, Hong Kong’s presence at VivaTech highlights several key takeaways:
- Strong policy alignment ensures sustained investment in R&D and start-up growth.
- Hong Kong’s talent ecosystem is robust and international, enhanced by schemes like TechTAS.
- The Greater Bay Area initiative provides a strategic platform for cross-border innovation and commercial scale.
- Hong Kong offers a unique gateway between China and global markets, combining legal transparency, financial services, and innovation capabilities.
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FAQs About Hong Kong Showcases 20 Start-ups at VivaTech 2025
1. What is VivaTech and why is it important for Hong Kong?
VivaTech is Europe’s largest annual technology conference, where global innovators, investors, and policymakers converge. For Hong Kong, it provides a platform to showcase its start-ups on a world stage and build international partnerships.
2. How are Hong Kong’s start-ups selected for VivaTech?
Selections are made by HKSTP and HKTDC based on criteria including innovation potential, scalability, and alignment with Hong Kong’s strategic sectors.
3. What sectors do Hong Kong’s start-ups focus on at VivaTech?
Key sectors include AI, fintech, green tech, health tech, and robotics, reflecting Hong Kong’s diversified innovation ecosystem.
4. How does the Greater Bay Area (GBA) support start-ups?
The GBA offers a massive market, manufacturing capabilities, and coordinated infrastructure development, creating an innovation ecosystem that fosters collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland China.
5. What government programs support tech innovation in Hong Kong?
Programs include InnoHK, TechTAS, HK Tech 300, and various funding initiatives like the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF).
