2024 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter successfully held (with photos)

     The Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) 2024 Final was held successfully at Cyberport today (September 26). "The next-generation photonic integrated circuits for future high-bandwidth optical links, sensing and computing" by Kokoxili Photonics Limited won the Champion prize, while "Electron Beam (EB) irradiation technology application" by HK Highsolve Technology Limited and "All-scenario rapid testing platform against antimicrobial resistance" by MicroFlow Innovation Limited won the First Runner-up prize and the Second Runner-up prize respectively. They will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete in the Global Final Contest of the Maker in China to be held in the fourth quarter of this year in Guangzhou.

     Speaking at today's event, the Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, said that the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint has set "To proactively integrate into the overall development of the country and consolidate our role as a bridge connecting the Mainland and the world" as one of the four broad development directions. The MiCHK is a sound platform for Hong Kong start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to further expand business opportunities in the Mainland market, with numerous winning teams establishing their foothold in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and expanding their operations on the Mainland in recent years. Moreover, many teams have attracted the attention of corporate investors from the Mainland and overseas, receiving a considerable number of procurement contracts and collaboration opportunities.

     Mr Wong stressed that the theme of this year's contest has been extended to cover the frontier technology fields such as advanced network equipment, quantum technology and green technology with a view to fostering the development of innovation and technology (I&T) and related industries, and promoting the development of new quality productive forces in Hong Kong. He congratulated the winning teams and encouraged all participating teams to continue to forge ahead in the area of I&T, so as to contribute to the high-quality development of the country and Hong Kong.

     The MiCHK 2024 has received overwhelming response with a total of 153 local innovation projects. After initial screening and a semi-final held earlier, the top 10 finalists entered the Final today, where they competed for the Champion, First Runner-up and Second Runner-up honours by staging roadshows to a panel of judges comprising local and Mainland experts of different I&T fields. Apart from building a platform for local I&T startups, the MiCHK arranges one-on-one business matching sessions between the top 10 finalists and the investors and enterprises from the GBA. The top 10 finalists were given opportunities to join different incubation and acceleration programmes and exhibitions to promote their products and services to different regions through various platforms. Details about the entries can be obtained from makerinchina.hk/.

     The MiCHK 2024 is organised by the Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China, the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs, and formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Angel Investment Foundation and the Guangzhou SME's Promotion Association For Specialization Refinement Differentiation Innovation Development. With the support of the Guangzhou Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality and the People's Government of Guangzhou Nansha District, this is the sixth time the regional chapter took place in Hong Kong.