Press Release

HKBU hosts inaugural BeUnicorn Day and launches “Inno Nexus” platform to support start-ups

Sunday, 28 September 2025

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) hosted its inaugural BeUnicorn Day on 26 September when “Inno Nexus”, a new platform designed to connect HKBU’s start-up community, was officially launched. 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.

Ms Lillian Cheong Man-lei, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was invited as the Guest of Honour. She joined Mr Paul Poon, Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court at HKBU, and other guests to officiate at the opening ceremony and the launch of the Inno Nexus on stage. Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, also attended the investment pitching and start-up entrepreneur sharing sessions.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Paul Poon said: “HKBU will continue to invest in research capabilities and strengthen strategic alliances with local, international and national partners. The collaborations established today will help us capitalise on opportunities in innovation and position HKBU as a global innovation hub, leveraging Hong Kong’s higher education ecosystem and the socio-economic vibrancy of the Chinese Mainland, particularly within the Greater Bay Area.”

Addressing the ceremony, Ms Lillian Cheong, said that Hong Kong’s innovation and technology story is gaining remarkable pace with the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster clinching the world’s top 100 science and technology clusters in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index 2025 and a rapidly rising number of patent applications from Hong Kong’s universities. She introduced at the ceremony the latest Government’s initiatives in translating research into real-world impact which include the $10 billion I&T Industry-Oriented Fund which will be launched by end of this year or early next year, the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme which is now open for application, the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One plus Scheme and the Technology Startup Support Scheme for Universities. She added that talent is the lifeblood of I&T. The Government will continue to back R&D and strengthen technology transfer, with a view to promoting the I&T development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

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 TriAngle of the Centre for Innovative Service-Learning 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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