Shining a spotlight on today’s achievements but strategically laying the path to fast-track even more future innovations – that was the message driving the HKU Innovation Week 2026 held this October, the largest and most ambitious iteration of the University of Hong Kong’s flagship annual celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange. Centred on the theme ‘The Innovation Reef: Where Ideas Breed and Thrive’, this milestone gathering spotlighted more than 120 pioneering advances in biomedical sciences, healthcare delivery, smart living, advanced engineering, architecture, and global sustainability.
Attracting over 1,000 leaders and representatives from across many sectors – government, enterprise, academia, world-class research hubs, and the international investment ecosystem – the event was an important opportunity to nurture dialogue and build collaborative networks to accelerate the translation of frontier university research into tangible commercial and societal impact worldwide.
The event commenced with a welcome address on AI video by HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang: “Please immerse yourselves in our Innovation Reef, engage with the great minds, and explore the breakthrough technologies, as we work together to create meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally.” It was followed by opening remarks by HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Wong; The Honourable Leung Chun-ying, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; and Professor Dong Sun, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Professor Sun noted how particularly apt the ‘Innovation Reef’ theme was. “A healthy innovation ecosystem, like a reef, relies on different parties performing different but complementary roles. Our universities play an indispensable role in advancing knowledge, nurturing talents, and transforming research into real-world impact,” he said.
“Innovation and technology must deliver tangible benefits to society to achieve sustainable development,” The Honourable Leung Chun-ying added. “As universities hold the vast majority of Hong Kong’s research resources, I place particular emphasis on how they can better connect innovation and technological achievements with the full chain of government, industry, academia, research, investment and application. Under ‘One Country, Two Systems’, Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages in translating innovation into impact both domestically and internationally. Through its academic excellence, HKU serves as a bridge for talent, knowledge, technology and resources, while providing a trusted platform for frontier research, innovation and startups to go global, contributing to the high-quality development of both Hong Kong and the nation.”
“We gather at a defining moment for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development,” said HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Wong. “HKU stands ready to play its full part. Long recognised as a world-leading hub for blue-sky research, the University remains committed to generating fundamental knowledge and translating it into tangible benefits for society.”
This commitment was reflected in two landmark operational and financial milestones. The first was the official inauguration of the HKU Strategic Partnership Alliance for Research and Commercialisation (SPARC), which brings together support from over 40 corporations and organisations to establish a dynamic global network that advances research translation, industry collaboration, and market-driven innovation. SPARC will foster collaborative research, facilitate the establishment of joint laboratories, and accelerate the translation of discoveries into practical applications.
The other was the University’s successful first close of the HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund x DEFTA Joint Fund valued at HK$160M. This joint fund with the renowned Silicon Valley venture firm DEFTA Partners will provide vital patient capital to seed and early-stage ventures emerging from HKU’s innovation ecosystem.
On a more personal level, HKU honoured the recipients of its inaugural HKU Impact Awards, celebrating four exceptional alumni and faculty members who have successfully translated knowledge, research and innovative ideas into meaningful societal and economic impact. The recipients were Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Director of HKU Primary Health Care Academy, for her achievements in advancing public health policy and nursing workforce development; Professor Chu Chun-hung, Associate Dean (Research and Knowledge Exchange) of the Faculty of Dentistry, for his pioneering non-invasive childhood dental care; Ms Doris Leung, Founder and CEO of Diamond Cab, for championing barrier-free transportation; and Ms Poman Lo, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Regal Hotels Group, for driving ESG and carbon-neutral initiatives in the hospitality sector. Nominated by Faculty Deans and the Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, awardees were selected by a cross-sector judging panel based on demonstrated impact, innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit.
An additional bonus for participants was the chance for them to gain insights from select international leaders and entrepreneurs. One of these was a fireside chat titled ‘From Lab Bench to Commercialisation’ that brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and innovation leaders. A pre-recorded keynote delivered by Professor Robert Langer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, often referred to as the ‘Edison of Medicine’, was followed by a thought-provoking discussion with Ms Wendy Gan, Council Member and Innovation Advisory Board Member of HKU; Dr Meijie Tang, Director of Technology Translation Centre, Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy of HKU; Mr Michael Langer, Co-founder and Managing Partner, T.Rx Capital; Dr Mengkang Hu, founder of Evolvent AI, and Professor Anderson Shum, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of HKU where they explored the challenges and opportunities involved in transforming research discoveries into impactful products and ventures.
The programme concluded with the Founders Spotlight, featuring internationally recognised founders of HKU-born start-ups, including Professor Hongyang Li of Archon Robotics, Dr Vriko Yu of Archireef, Dr Zitong Shao of CereThera, Mr Jon Chan of CYC Technology, and Dr Alex Liu of Direct Drive Tech. Their entrepreneurial journeys exemplify the University’s commitment to transform world-class research into impactful innovations, and at the session they shared their thoughts and experiences on fostering innovation and strengthening collaboration across sectors.
The biggest HKU Innovation Week to date and its ‘Innovation Reef’ theme demonstrated the University’s commitment to not only strengthening a comprehensive innovation translation ecosystem, but also marshalling sustained support to accelerate the journey of transformative discoveries from the laboratory to society, and creating lasting impact for Hong Kong, the nation and the world.
