The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has announced the 10 winning start-ups of the eighth edition of Start-up Express, the Council’s flagship entrepreneurship development programme. Selected from a competitive pool of over 200 applicants, this year’s cohort highlights the growing influence of AI and health technology within Hong Kong’s innovation landscape.
The selected winners stood out during the Final Pitching Day event, which brought together more than 200 industry stakeholders. Among the awards presented, Green Vigor Limited received the ESG Award for its commitment to sustainability, while AniTech Limited won the My Favourite Start-up Award, voted by attendees.
Diverse Innovations, Unified Impact
The winning companies represented a broad range of sectors, with a significant concentration in health technology, alongside green tech, smart city solutions, and AI-driven applications. The full list of winners includes:
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ACTuWISE Limited
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Decennium Platforms Limited
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AniTech Limited
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Digitoe Limited
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CELLmeric Limited
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RT Healthtech Co. Limited
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Firefilm Group Limited
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Albacastor Technology Limited
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Entoptica Limited
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Green Vigor Limited
These start-ups will now enter a year-long programme with access to local and international promotional opportunities, investor matchmaking, business events, and brand-building initiatives curated by the HKTDC.
Accelerating Start-up Growth in Hong Kong and Beyond
Speaking at the event, Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations at the HKTDC, noted the ongoing success of the programme:
“Start-up Express serves as the launchpad for Hong Kong’s brightest tech innovators. Since 2018, we have supported 70 start-ups in scaling locally and internationally. Many have achieved significant milestones, including global recognition, strategic partnerships, and major funding rounds.”
The panel of judges praised the winning teams for their market awareness and rapid integration of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Herbert Chia, Senior Advisor of Alibaba Cloud (North APAC), remarked,
“Many start-ups this year have adapted AI into their operations swiftly and effectively, showing not only technical innovation but strong alignment with global tech trends.”
A Proven Platform for Business Expansion
The programme has demonstrated tangible impact in enabling start-ups to scale. One example is Libpet Tech, a 2024 Start-up Express winner, which recently secured US$3 million in seed funding. CEO Jojo Xu credited the programme for raising the company’s profile among investors and strategic partners.
With Hong Kong now home to 4,694 start-ups as of 2024, the city continues to attract entrepreneurial talent globally. This momentum is further supported by Start-up Express International, which returns for its fourth edition in December. The international initiative brings early-stage start-ups from around the world to connect with Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem and explore business opportunities in Mainland China and the Greater Bay Area.
Continuing the Mission of Innovation
The HKTDC remains committed to fostering entrepreneurship, positioning Hong Kong as a competitive global business hub and a vital node in Asia’s tech landscape. The 2025 edition of Start-up Express once again affirms the programme’s role as a springboard for the next generation of business leaders and innovators.
