As the only strategic partner and founding partner, AMTD jointly organized the final of "Startup Express" with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Recently, the final of the third "Startup Express" startup incubation program organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council came to a successful conclusion. AMTD Group has been the only strategic partner and founding partner of "Startup Express" for the second consecutive year. Calvin Choi, Chairman and President of AMTD Group, Chiu Chi-kiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Association, Cindy Chow, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Darren Chiu, Co-founder and Managing Director of Wisdom Capital Limited, and Che Pinjue, Expert Partner of Sequoia Capital China Fund, and many other heavyweight industry professionals served as judges for the competition.

Review the highlights of the final

The "Startup Express" startup incubation program was initiated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Trade Development Council and is aimed at Hong Kong start-ups founded by outstanding innovative technology talents in Hong Kong, with unique products or services in the market and intending to enter the mainland and Asian markets. It aims to create a platform for mutual learning, growth and communication with enterprises through a series of training workshops, mentor experience sharing and marketing promotion activities, and lead local start-ups to the international science and technology innovation market. The startups that entered the finals this time cover the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, biotechnology, Internet of Things, financial technology, robotics and other fields.

Judges of the competition (from left to right): Cindy Chow, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Darren Chiu, Co-founder and Managing Director of Wisdom Capital Limited, Calvin Choi, Chairman and President of AMTD Group, Alex Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Association, and Che Pinjue, Expert Partner of Sequoia Capital China Fund

Calvin Choi said, "The contestants of this year's "Startup Express" finals performed well and proposed many creative ideas and practical solutions, fully demonstrating the entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity of Hong Kong youth."This year's newly added "AMTD SpiderNet Ecosystem Startup Award" will be selected by AMTD Group to select the best performing startups, enjoy the resources and network of the AMTD SpiderNet ecosystem, and collaborate with other members for win-win results. In the end, the startup ImBee Limited won the award.

This year's newly added "AMTD SpiderNet Ecosystem Startup Award" was awarded to the winning startup ImBee Limited by AMTD Digital's co-CEOs Stephen Fung and Lei Li.

Calvin Choi believes that "as an international financial center, Hong Kong provides huge opportunities for start-ups in various fields horizontally and in vertical industries vertically. Taking AMTD Group as an example, we have established many interconnected deep cooperation and support with start-ups in the field of financial technology through the AMTD Spider Web ecosystem. At the same time, we are also diversified and encourage new ideas. AMTD has been the only strategic partner to co-support the Hong Kong Fintech Week for two consecutive years. Hong Kong not only has a business environment suitable for the growth of start-ups, but also a cradle of start-up entrepreneurial talents. What I am interested in is not only supporting start-ups, but also cultivating talents at a deeper level. I think the "Startup Express" is not only a short-term entrepreneurial competition, but also provides a lot of sustainable support for start-ups and gives them more possibilities. "

"One is empowerment, allowing more start-ups to establish connections. For example, start-up entrepreneurs can get to know partners and potential investors with potential cooperation in related fields through the "Startup Express" platform, and establish a more comprehensive business contact network. This is a very valuable opportunity for start-ups. Secondly, AMTD is honored to support and participate in the "Startup Express" as a strategic partner. Through this project, we are very happy to get to know these companies and then establish continuous connections with them. AMTD can provide them with sustainable support and focus on their future development. Finally, the "Startup Express" project also improves cross-regional communication and connections. As Hong Kong start-ups, they need to understand what opportunities Hong Kong companies have. Not only opportunities in Hong Kong, but also the overall view of the global vision, see the connection they can establish with the surrounding areas of Hong Kong, make full use of the advantages of the Greater Bay Area, establish connections with ASEAN countries, and radiate from Asia to all parts of the world. ”

A group of winning startups took a group photo with the judges of the competition

The epidemic has hit the global economy, which inevitably affects investment sentiment. Startups will inevitably face greater challenges in finding funds, while investors and customers will have higher requirements, and the acceptance of new brands and new services may decline. Calvin Choi believes that at this time, companies must work together to survive the economic winter. "Different vertical chain businesses should increase cross referrals and cross collaboration, turn your customers into my customers, and exert collective power." Calvin Choi also encouraged startups to create market opportunities with flexible and innovative ideas. "Even though the overall business environment is full of challenges, new opportunities and chances can be found in the changes. Flexible and innovative ideas can be optimized and adjusted according to market needs and changes, which can better expand and grasp new opportunities. The so-called change is not to change the core value, but to change some strategies so that it can be more smoothly integrated with different markets. As long as you keep your original aspirations, be flexible and adaptable, and more importantly, never give up and never get tired, you will have many opportunities. This is exactly our Lion Rock Spirit.

"I look forward to joining the winning startups of HK Startup Express and realizing their dreams of standing out not only in Hong Kong but also on the international stage." Calvin Choi wished all the winning startups the best. HK Startup Express, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, is an online-to-offline community of experienced startup founders, incubators, community builders and investors to promote mentoring, information exchange and business cooperation. They are connected through an online platform, which also provides many specially curated events and content that are of great help to startup founders.