August 31, 2021, Hong Kong — Microsoft Hong Kong partners with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to launch a series of initiatives to empower high-potential startups in their pursuit of innovation and global expansion. The joint support addresses startup’s critical challenges of product development, go-to-market distribution and access to technology.
Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP said: “This strategic collaboration further enhances the Hong Kong I&T ecosystem as emerging startups from the HKSTP community gain unparalleled access and support from a global technology pioneer Microsoft. As one of the key I&T enablers in Hong Kong, HKSTP strives to build a vibrant ecosystem by connecting leading corporates with tech startups to collaborate, innovate and catalyze ideas through to impact.”
Cally Chan, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau added: “Startups are central to our 30-year journey in Hong Kong. Their success is key to enable Hong Kong’s business community to achieve more together. With innovation and entrepreneurship as our city’s intrinsic values, this partnership with HKSTP will deepen our support to local startups, showcasing Hong Kong’s creativity and advancement in technology to the world.”
The collaboration combines Microsoft Hong Kong’s innovation, global co-sell and go-to-market expertise with HKSTP’s I&T ecosystem network and shared R&D facilities and infrastructure to provide HKSTP startups with access to three specific initiatives:
- Microsoft for Startups: a global program dedicated to helping B2B startups scale their companies through technology enablement and go-to-market support. Qualifying startups will receive a package of benefits, including free Azure credits, cloud solution license for internal use or testing, and an extensive network of technology consultants and resources for go-to-market.
- HKSTP-Microsoft Co-incubation: a 6-month co-incubation program offering technical and business development support for HKSTP’s potential incubatees
- Special offer of Microsoft solutions: Special offers of Microsoft solutions are on shelves at HKSTP Marketplace – a one-stop marketplace for tech ventures to find essential services during the challenging entrepreneurial journey
During the pilot phase of this collaboration, a number of local startup ventures have already been enrolled. FreightAmigo Services Limited and Sensestek Solution Limited have become successful participants in the Microsoft for Startups program, while a total of seven HKSTP incubatees have been admitted to the HKSTP-Microsoft Co-incubation program. The Microsoft for Startups program is open for enrolment throughout the year while the HKSTP-Microsoft Co-incubation program is open for enrolment every six months.
Under the collaboration, technical workshops will also be organized to equip program members of HKSTP InnoAcademy with the knowledge and skills about Microsoft’s technologies, in order to empower young talent to master emerging technologies. HKSTP InnoAcademy aims to boost Hong Kong’s I&T competitiveness with a sustained series of programs, including training and value-added support to upskill technology talent from various sectors into future leaders.
Photo 1: Microsoft Hong Kong collaborates with HKSTP to launch a series of initiatives to empower high-potential startups in their pursuit of innovation and global expansion. Albert Wong, CEO, HKSTP (left) and Cally Chan, General Manager, Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau (right)
Photo 2: Albert Wong, CEO, HKSTP (3rd from the left); Cally Chan, General Manager, Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau (3rd from the right); Kelvin Tse, Director, Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft Hong Kong (2nd from the right); Ivy Tse, Co-Founder and Director, FreightAmigo Services Limited (2nd from the left); Kelvin Wong, CEO, Sensestek Solution Limited (1st from the right); Michael Au, Assistant Director, Strategic Partnership, HKSTP (1st from the left); share how the joint support from HKSTP and Microsoft Hong Kong addresses startups’ critical challenges of product development, go-to-market distribution and access to technology.
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About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Comprising Science Park, InnoCentre and Industrial Estates, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is a statutory body dedicated to building a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem to connect stakeholders, nurture technology talents, facilitate collaboration, and catalyse innovations to deliver social and economic benefits to Hong Kong and the region.
Established in May 2001, HKSTP has been driving the development of Hong Kong into a regional hub for innovation and growth in several focused clusters including Electronics, Information & Communications Technology, Green Technology, Biomedical Technology, Materials and Precision Engineering. We enable science and technology companies to nurture ideas, innovate and grow, supported by our R&D facilities, infrastructure, and market-led laboratories and technical centres with professional support services. We also offer value added services and comprehensive incubation programmes for technology start-ups to accelerate their growth.
Technology businesses benefit from our specialised services and infrastructure at Science Park for applied research and product development; enterprises can find creative design support at InnoCentre; while skill-intensive businesses are served by our three industrial estates at Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
