Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
June 26, 2026
Start-up Express 2026 Winners: Smart City, Green Tech, Health Tech
TLDR
- Winning Start-up Express start-ups gain access to investors, markets, and brand-building opportunities to scale rapidly.
- HKTDC's Start-up Express selects 10 winners via final pitching, then provides networking, funding, and market expansion support.
- Start-up Express fosters innovation in smart city, green tech, and health tech, improving quality of life and sustainability.
- BioZein won the ESG Award for sustainability, while Homing Therapeutics took the My Favourite Start-up Award.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it highlights Hong Kong's thriving start-up ecosystem and the HKTDC's role in fostering innovation across key sectors like smart city solutions and green tech. For entrepreneurs and investors, the Start-up Express program provides a proven platform for scaling businesses, accessing funding, and expanding into global markets. The recognition of ESG and sustainability awards also underscores the growing importance of responsible innovation, which can influence industry trends and consumer expectations. For the broader public, these start-ups bring practical solutions that could improve urban living, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Summary
The ninth edition of Start-up Express, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded its Final Pitching Day with 10 winning start-ups emerging from a competitive field. The winning ventures span sectors such as smart city solutions, green tech, and health tech, reflecting Hong Kong's growing momentum in translating innovative technologies into practical applications. Notably, BioZein Technology Corporation Limited received the ESG Award for its commitment to sustainability, while Homing Therapeutics Limited won the My Favourite Start-up Award. These start-ups will now participate in 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.
The HKTDC has long supported Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem, with Assistant Executive Director Anna Cheung emphasizing the program's goal to help start-ups grow and flourish since its launch in 2018. To date, the initiative has supported 80 start-ups in building capacity, enhancing visibility, and connecting with investors. This year's final pitching day attracted over 200 industry participants, including investors and business leaders, and featured booths for finalists to showcase their businesses. The 10 winning start-ups include Alpha AI Technology Limited, GABES Limited, Hay-koze Limited, Muuse Limited, O-Spheres Limited, PetWell HK Limited, PregnaSense Co. Limited, and Pyramid AI Limited, alongside BioZein and Homing Therapeutics.
Judges praised the start-ups for embracing emerging technology trends, with Jimmy Tao, Chairman of the Hong Kong Startup Council, noting that many finalists integrated AI into practical applications with strong commercial potential. Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem continues to thrive, with the number of start-ups reaching a record high of 5,221, an 11% year-on-year increase. The HKTDC's Start-up Express International program, launched in 2022, further strengthens global connections, attracting participants from mainland China, Australia, Europe, and beyond. The fifth edition of Start-up Express International will be held during Entrepreneur Day in December 2026, offering overseas start-ups support to establish a presence in Hong Kong and explore opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and international markets.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Start-up Express 2026 Winners: Smart City, Green Tech, Health Tech
