HKSTP invites the world's brightest innovators to join HK's first hybrid Elevator Pitch Competition 2021

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has formally kickoff the Elevator Pitch Competition 2021 (EPiC 2021) by inviting applications from tech ventures in Hong Kong around the world. Taking place from 5 to 12 November 2021, participating entrepreneurs can join their peers, investors, and innovation eco-system leaders in an international week-long fest of pitching, investment, and business matching as well as learning from icons in the startup landscape.

Companies and individuals are invited to EPiC 2021, which is in its sixth year and taking place for the first time as a hybrid event – a dynamic physical and virtual platform to meet the diverse needs of overseas and local innovators. To celebrate HKSTP's 20 years of leading Hong Kong innovation, the event will return to its iconic SKY100 venue at the top of the International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon to re-create a genuine elevator pitch experience.

Over 100 contestants will be shortlisted for the opportunity of competing in the hybrid event where physical attendees deliver a signature 60-second elevator pitch for their world-changing ideas, while virtual participants will make their pitch to our judges via video call. A further ten finalists will be selected to compete for the winning cash prize of US$100,000 as well as unique opportunities for cross-border investment, business collaboration and technology development and adoption.

The international week-long festival of investment and innovation will focus on high-potential ideas in FinTech, Health Technology, Smart City, and the emerging area of Green Tech & Construction Tech.

Robert Luo, CEO, and Co-founder of 2020 champion winner MiTerro from the US, said: "Winning EPiC was a validation of our business and vision. We not only met investors but also other entrepreneurs who are finding innovative solutions to some of the world's biggest problems."

HKSTP is committed to acting as a bridge between innovators and investors, with HKSTP nurturing over 500 start-up companies and connected them to more than 1000 active investors. All winners from the competition can proceed to leverage the full resources of the HKSTP ecosystem for investment, incubation, market access, technology, and partnership opportunities.

The competition attracted a record number of 476 entries from 37 countries around the globe in 2020. Over 70% of the 170 contestants reaching the semi-final round were from 31 international markets. The event brought more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, venture capital firms, angel investors, industry players, incubators, accelerators, and tech disruptors together, to showcase the growing strength of the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong.

Who can apply:

• Tech startups that are less than five years old and have received less than US$10 million in funding by 31 March 2021 OR individuals who have not yet established any companies

• Ideas should focus on one of the four technology areas: FinTech, Health Technology, Smart City, and Green Tech & Construction Tech.

Applications will close on 10 September 2021, at 23:59 hrs, Hong Kong time.

Please visit https://epic.hkstp.org/ for more detailed information on EPiC 2021.