Welcome Speech by Prof. Stephanie Ma, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Interim) of HKU
The Techno-Entrepreneurship Core at the University of Hong Kong (HKU TEC) recently led 20 HKU‑affiliated startups to participate in the international startup event JUMPSTARTER 2026 and successfully held the "HKU Super Angel Symposium 2026" and "HKU Demo Day x JUMPSTARTER". The events brought together government officials, academics, venture capital investors, entrepreneurship mentors and local startup representatives to discuss and promote the long-term development of the Greater Bay Area's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The event was officiated by Professor Stephanie Ma, Vice‑President and Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Research) (Interim) of HKU; Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; and Dr Winnie Tang, Chief Convenor of HKU Super Angel Network.Professor Stephanie Ma, Vice‑President and Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Research) (Interim) of HKU, said, "The Super Angel Symposium is our annual flagship event, bringing together visionary investors, industry leaders, and the HKU community. Through a strong network of alumni and supporters, we actively advance the growth of HKU startups — promoting innovation through giving, investment, and mentorship while fostering an angel investment culture in Hong Kong."
Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, said "The Hong Kong Government is dedicated to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, and we fully understand that startups are the engine of innovation. With three major I&T parks as the framework, we have been enhancing our I&T ecosystem, creating an excellent environment for start-up to grow and thrive."
"HKU Venture Mentoring Programme" to foster structured mentorship network
The event was followed by the official launch ceremony of the HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) – Hong Kong's first university mentoring programme formally affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) VMS model and powered by the HKU Super Angel Network. Certificates were presented to the inaugural cohort of VMS mentors and new members of the HKU Angel Network, marking an important milestone in building a structured, high‑quality mentorship network and deepen entrepreneurial support. The symposium also featured keynote addresses by Dr Qiubin Lin, founder and CEO of Delonix Bioworks, who shared his experience in accelerating the clinical translation of synthetic‑biology vaccines; and Dr Mi Lei, founding partner CASSTAR, who discussed hard‑tech investment strategies and ecosystem building.
The forum's closing session, "From HKU Campus to Real-World Impact: Growing Mission-Led Startups in Hong Kong" — a fireside conversation moderated by Dr Winnie Tang, featured founders of BioX, GreenPrice, Agewhale, Body Nova Limited, and DineWell AI, who shared how they have translated ideas and innovative technologies into impactful startups, contributing to Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology hub. The "HKU Demo Day x JUMPSTARTER" featured pitch presentations by multiple HKU startup teams. A panel of senior judges evaluated the projects on criteria including innovation, market potential and team strength, and selected outstanding teams to receive support—such as access to HKU iDendron co‑working space, to help accelerate their next stage of growth.
About the HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS)
The HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) is Hong Kong's first sister programme officially authorised under the MIT VMS model, and is fully supported by the HKU Super Angel Network. Leveraging a rigorously selected and diverse pool of mentors, HKU VMS provides strategic guidance, long‑term relationship‑based support and critical resource connections to HKU entrepreneurial teams, helping them overcome early‑stage challenges, grow into sustainable enterprises and further consolidate HKU's position as a global leader in innovation.
