Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) allocated HK$50 million last year to launch the HKMU Startup Fund, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty and alumni. As part of this initiative, the Angel Fund Programme selected its first batch of five high-potential startups, each receiving investment of up to HK$1 million to further develop their business. These startups span fields such as smart healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and sustainable development, leveraging innovative technologies and products to drive social and economic growth in Hong Kong and beyond.

Today (18 July) the University held the 3rd HKMU Entrepreneurship Day, attended by more than 200 representatives from startup incubators, industry leaders, alumni, faculty and students. Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, officiated the ceremony, alongside representatives of the five selected startups, marking the commencement of the Angel Fund Programme's first round of investments. The five startups, all founded by HKMU alumni or researchers, are as follows:

• Epigenetics AI: Develops a mobile app using AI and epigenetics to predict users' biological age and disease risks;
• MotoNerv: Uses AI to convert videos into detailed textual analysis, enhancing security, and improving services and work efficiency to support smart city development;
• WHOSiFY: Developed carbon-neutral digital business cards to promote paperless digital transformation for businesses and facilitate connections with potential clients;
• Kanaya AI Technology: Revolutionising agriculture through Internet of Things (IoT) vertical farming; and
• Beetales: A social enterprise dedicated to conserving local bees, bringing innovation and sustainability to the traditional beekeeping industry.
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Prof. Lam encouraged the teams to embrace innovation, emphasising the importance of adaptability, resilience and problem-solving skills, to foster societal advancement. He also shared that HKMU was ranked between 781 and 790 in the QS World University Rankings, making it Hong Kong's first self-financing university and first university of applied sciences to achieve this recognition, reflecting the University's commitment to international standards in teaching, research and faculty quality. “HKMU is on a strong development trajectory,” he said. “We look forward to the continued pursuit of excellence by all members of the HKMU community. We hope the innovative entrepreneurial projects developed by students, researchers and alumni will gain widespread recognition, shine in the entrepreneurial community and have a positive impact.”

HKMU Startup Fund: Two key programmes to accelerate startup growth

Launched in 2024, the HKMU Startup Fund is open to startups founded by students, academic or research staff, and alumni. Its two key programmes—the Incubation Programme and the Angel Fund Programme—support startups at different stages of development. The two programmes have received over 80 applications to date, demonstrating an enthusiastic response.

The Incubation Programme offers HK$250,000 in seed funding to teams that show early market promise to facilitate their development. The Angel Fund Programme offers up to HK$1 million in angel investment to support high-potential startups with proven business traction, revenue generation and scalable customer-acquisition strategies to accelerate their growth.

HKMU is committed to encouraging students to embark on innovative and entrepreneurial journeys. Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement) of HKMU, highlighted that through the HKMU Hackathon and MetroChallenge, along with the Incubation Programme and the Angel Fund Programme under the Startup Fund, the University has developed a comprehensive support system for students and alumni. This system helps students transform innovative ideas into tangible products and technologies, enabling them to establish influential ventures.

“HKMU aims to empower students and graduates to pursue entrepreneurship with sustainability at its core,” he said. “By fostering experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with industry leaders, the University is equipping its students with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.”

MetroChallenge: Encouraging students to pursue entrepreneurial dreams

The results of this year's MetroChallenge, a competition aimed at supporting students in the early stages of entrepreneurship, were announced at Entrepreneurship Day. The 10 winning teams will each receive an implementation fund of HK$100,000 along with 10 months of incubation support. The teams showcased their business concepts at their booths and participated in a one-minute elevator pitch, competing for the “Most Innovative Idea” and the “Best Presenter” awards.

This year's winning projects demonstrate the students' ability to turn theory into practical solutions. CAOKIE, which previously won the “Sustainability” category at the HKMU Hackathon, proposed an innovative solution to address poor posture among urban dwellers by developing a computer chair cover equipped with pressure sensors. Using IoT technology, the system prompts users to adjust their posture or take a break.

Eros Creation, another winning team, addressed the challenges posed by Hong Kong's aging population and the shortage of care workers by creating an ultra-wideband (UWB) smart positioning system that uses sensors to calculate angles and distances for real-time tracking of the elderly, integrated with AI agents and backend systems for health data analysis and monitoring.

SensoFlex, comprised of PhD students from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the School of Science and Technology, along with students from Mainland institutions, has designed an intelligent rehabilitation glove for patients with hand dysfunction caused by neurological injuries such as stroke or postoperative conditions, enabling them to conduct rehabilitation exercises at home.

HKMU Entrepreneurship Day is an annual event for aspiring entrepreneurs, potential investors, industry stakeholders and individuals interested in startups to connect, exchange ideas and explore collaboration opportunities. The event also featured consultations, inspirational talks and showcases of the achievements of HKMU researchers, students and entrepreneurial alumni.