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HKBU hosts inaugural BeUnicorn Day and launches “Inno Nexus” platform to support startup

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Ms Lillian CHEONG Man-lei, Guest of Honour and Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry (front row seventh from the left), and Mr Paul POON, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court at HKBU (front row sixth from the left), Prof Martin Wong, Provost (front row sixth from right), Prof Terence LAU, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU (front row fifth from the left), Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) (front row fifth from right), join other guests to officiate the opening ceremony of BeUnicorn Day.
Participants of BeUnicorn Day cum Inno Nexus Launch Ceremony take group photo.
(From left to right) Dr Melanie Lee, Director of the Alumni Affairs Office; Ms Myra Cheung, Acting Director of the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning; Mr Edmond Lam, Director of Knowledge Transfer; Mr Tobby Fu, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Institute for Innovation, Translation and Policy Research; Professor Amy Lee, Director of Student Affairs; and Dr Marta K Dowejko, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre at HKBU, officiate at the launch ceremony of “Inno Nexus”.

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) hosted its inaugural BeUnicorn Day on 26 September which welcomed 450 participants. “Inno Nexus”, a new platform designed to connect HKBU’s start-up community, was also officially launched in the event. By showcasing HKBU’s innovative start-up projects and facilitating connections between committed entrepreneurs and potential partners, the event underscored the University’s ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurial ventures which leverage research outputs and innovations to benefit society.

 

Hosted by the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) at HKBU, the event, themed “Be Driven. Be Engaged. Be a Unicorn,” showcased 25 start-ups spanning a diverse array of innovative sectors, including biotechnology, sustainable energy, digital IP protection, AI-driven solutions, agritech, and social enterprise.

 

The event was honoured by the presence of Ms Lillian Cheong Man-lei, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as the Guest of Honour. Ms Cheong was joined by Mr Paul Poon, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court at HKBU; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; and other distinguished guests, at the opening ceremony and the official launch of Inno Nexus on stage.

 

One of the highlights of the event was the official launch of Inno Nexus, a new platform for the HKBU start-up community, which underscores the University’s ongoing commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration. Inno Nexus leverages the diverse strengths and networks of different university units to empower researchers, students, and recent graduates. It provides structured support and cultivates entrepreneurship through cross-sector partnerships with investors, industry leaders, and community stakeholders.

 

Inno Nexus provides HKBU start-ups with a wide range of support functions and activities, including regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions to develop entrepreneurial skills; consultancy and mentorship services from experienced professionals; and business matching and networking events to connect with industry partners and investors. Additionally, a web-based platform is available for start-ups, providing essential information and resources to support them throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

 

Inno Nexus is launched by KTO in collaboration with the Alumni Affairs Office, Career Centre of the Office of Student Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre of the School of Business, Institute for Innovation, Translation and Policy Research, and Centre for Innovative Service-Learning (TriAngle) at HKBU.

 

Inno Nexus is also supported by the Investment Alliance, which was initially formed by eight venture capital and investment companies or funds supporting startups. namely China Prosperity Capital Fund, Flair Capital, Greater Bay Area Development Fund, Hong Kong Inno Angel Fund, National Innovation Center par Excellence, Radiant Tech Ventures, Surrich International Company Limited, and Transcend Capital Partners.

 

Meanwhile, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed at the BeUnicorn Day to mark new strategic partnerships and strengthen the collaborations between HKBU and the nine companies, namely Betatron Venture Group, Beyond Ventures, Digital Domain, Gobi Ventures, Lanchi Ventures, Mei Ah Information Technology Limited, Shenzhen Capital Group, Surrich International Company Limited, and Suzhou Kowloon Hospital. At the same time, Booguu Company Limited, a start-up incubated by HKBU, and Innovation Center of Social & Technology for Aging of NICE, a research institute under the National Innovation Center par Excellence, signed a MOU during this momentous occasion.

 

The event also featured networking, investment pitching, start-up entrepreneur sharing sessions and a vigorous start-up debate, highlighting innovative solutions from start-ups in AI, sustainability, life sciences and healthcare, art tech, and social innovation.

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