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20 Start-ups Showcase at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion in VivaTech 2025

– Presenting Cutting-Edge Solutions and Innovations and Fostering Global Collaborations through Seminars and Networking Events

– The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will bring together 20 start-ups to participate in Viva Technology 2025 in Paris.
– The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will showcase the cutting-edge solutions and innovations in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, HealthTech, Sustainable and ClimateTech, FinTech, and more.
– A series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception will enhance international cooperation and highlight Hong Kong’s vibrant start-up and technology ecosystem.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with Strategic Partner, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, and supporting organisations including Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong Cyberport, will stage the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2025 in Paris, Europe’s biggest start-up and tech event from 11 to 14 June 2025. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will feature 20 start-ups, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, HealthTech, Sustainable and ClimateTech, and FinTech, and host a series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception to attract global investors and buyers, fostering international collaboration and showcasing Hong Kong’s dynamic start-up and technology ecosystem.

VivaTech connects start-ups, tech leaders, corporates, and investors to drive innovation and business collaboration. The HKTDC’s Hong Kong Tech Pavilion helps local start-ups and tech firms enter global markets while promoting Hong Kong’s unique advantages and reinforcing its status as a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

Chris Lo, HKTDC’s Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel, said: “The HKTDC actively supports start-up development through a wide range of activities and support services to enhance their competitiveness and expand global reach. These include launching Hong Kong Tech Pavilions at major overseas tech events and organising events like the HKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) and Start-up Express in Hong Kong. This year’s VivaTech focuses on AI, healthtech, climatetech, and sustainability, areas that align closely with the development of Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will provide a valuable platform for showcasing innovation, attracting investment, and expanding into the European market while raising international awareness of Hong Kong start-ups.”

Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem is one of the most vibrant in Asia, with strengths in R&D capabilities, advanced technological infrastructure, robust legal system, and world-class intellectual property protection regime. As a business hub and international trading centre in Asia, Hong Kong provides a strategic platform for connecting innovation, expertise, and patents with global capital. Its strategic location within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) with access to over 86 million consumers, makes Hong Kong an ideal gateway to the entire GBA and also Asia and the world.

During VivaTech, the HKTDC will host a series of events including seminars, pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception. On 11 June, the seminar Hong Kong: Fast-Growing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub will feature speakers Josephine Chan, Senior Manager, New Ventures Development of HKSTP, Florian Lang, Founder and CEO APAC of Libertify, and Benny Cheng, Founder & CEO of Insight Capital, who will discuss the advantages and prospects of Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem.

Hong Kong Start-ups Pitching to Global Investors
On 12 June, start-ups at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will also pitch their cutting-edge solutions and innovative products to global investors. Start-ups focus on AI, Robotics and FinTech, such as Pantheon Lab, which uses deep-learning technology to create software applications for developing quality and self-generated visual content, Robocore, a leading developer of applications for robotic platforms, and Midas Analytics, a data consulting company based on artificial intelligence and big data technologies, will present their groundbreaking innovations. Start-ups focusing on Health Tech, Sustainable & Climate Tech, such as Braillic, specialising in Augmented Reality (AR) guided surgical navigation system, HairCoSys, which developed a hair and scalp AI health diagnosis platform, and OKOsix, which developed world’s first plastic-free multifunctional bio-based material, will showcase their innovations advancing human well-being and a more sustainable future.

On 13 June, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, will attend the Workshop and Networking Reception – From Hong Kong to the World: Embarking on the New Journey of Innovation and deliver a keynote speech. Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, together with Sandbox VR, Orcauboat, and viAct, will share how Hong Kong start-ups succeed on an international stage. Yang Ming, CEO of Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited will share the advantages of choosing Hong Kong as springboard for global expansion. The followed panel discussion will be moderated by Christopher Lai, Director, France, Spain & Portugal of HKTDC. Cindy Chow, Chapman Lee, Director of Imsight Technology Co., Limited, Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder & CEO of Point Fit Technology Limited, and Jean-Baptiste Roy, Founding Partner of Asia Sports Tech, will explore the advantages of Hong Kong start-up ecosystem from both investor and start-up perspective and how to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to seize new opportunities.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is located at Hall 1 Booth F48, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The 9th edition of VivaTech is expected to attract over 165,000 visitors, 3,500 exhibitors, 13,500 start-ups, and 3,200 investors. Industry leaders from around the world will share unique insights, making the event the highlight of the global tech ecosystem.

Websites: https://vivatechnology.com/partners/hong-kong-tech-pavilion

Media enquiries
For enquiries, please contact HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong

Tel: (852) 2584 4524

Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

Valuufy Selected by Global Tech Leader for Environmental Impact Assessment

Valuufy, a pioneering value measurement startup, has been selected by a global tech powerhouse and member of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ to carry out a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. The engagement, which began in March 2025, represents a significant milestone for the young Kyoto-based value creation specialist.

The project is based on the ValuuCompass™, an evolutionary system that transparently assesses impact and value creation for nature, one of the system’s seven stakeholders, and benchmarks the results against other leaders in the market. The client will receive the assessment and analysis later this month, with actionable insights on environmental performance across multiple dimensions.

Directing Sustainabiliy towards Value Creation

Kyle Barnes, CEO of Valuufy, said, “For a startup, especially from Japan, securing a major American tech giant as a client is extraordinary. This speaks clearly on how our approach resonates with forward-thinking organizations. We’ve built ValuuCompass on a solid foundation of academic rigour and practical business value — and that company responded to this combination.”

Addressing Critical Gaps in Sustainability Measurement
The tech heavy selected Valuufy after evaluating multiple sustainability assessment solutions. “Gaps and discrepancies exist in current sustainability benchmarking when factoring environmental and social considerations. We appreciate how Valuufy systematically evaluates all relevant topic areas using best in class industry standards coupled with a data-driven, quantifiable approach to derive actionable insights,” noted a company representative.

Breaking New Ground in Precision and Performance Benchmarking
Dr Philip Sugai, Director of Research at Valuufy, said, “What sets ValuuCompass apart is its unparalleled level of detail and methodological rigor. Unlike current frameworks that offer broad sustainability disclosure topics, we’ve developed specific, measurable subgoals for each objective. This granular approach enables something that’s been largely unattainable with existing frameworks – genuine benchmarking across companies and industries.”

“Traditional ESG frameworks mainly look back on what companies have already reported,” Sugai continued. “Our work focuses on the future and what matters most to business leaders — identifying specific opportunities to create value and reduce risk across their entire stakeholder ecosystem. For technology companies with complex global value chains, this perspective is particularly valuable.”

Directing Sustainabiliy toward Value Creation
This client relationship underscores a growing shift in how leading companies approach sustainability — moving beyond compliance reporting toward strategic value creation. Technology companies in particular face increasing pressure to demonstrate meaningful environmental improvements while maintaining competitive advantage.

Stated Barnes, “Future market leaders understand that sustainability isn’t separate from business strategy — it’s central to it. When organizations can quantify their impact and benchmark against competitors, sustainability becomes a concrete business advantage rather than a vague aspiration. It’s a fundamental shift from sustainability as compliance to sustainability as value creation.”

About Valuufy
Valuufy, Inc. transforms how organizations measure and create sustainable value. Founded in 2024, Valuufy is a registered startup in Kyoto, Japan, emerging from the Value Research Center at Doshisha University and more than ten years academic value research. The groundbreaking ValuuCompass™ provides a comprehensive system for assessing impact and value creation across seven stakeholder dimensions, transforming sustainability from regulatory compliance into strategic competitive advantage. Led by an international team from Japan, Germany, Sweden & USA, Valuufy helps businesses identify hidden risks, uncover growth opportunities, and create measurable value through sustainability. Visit https://valuufy.comand follow us athttps://linkedin.com/company/valuufy/

Contact Information:
Kyle Barnes
CEO, Valuufy
news@valuufy.com

Unlocking the Full Potential of GCCs: The Strategic Power of Cultural Integration

As India continues to cement its reputation as the global capital for Global Capability Centers (GCCs), a new strategic imperative is emerging—cultural integration. While talent, technology, and cost arbitrage remain key, it is the cultural maturity of these centers that now determines enterprise-wide success.

In a groundbreaking new whitepaper, SRKay Consulting Group makes a compelling case for why cultural intelligence must be embedded into the operational core of every GCC. Their research reveals a clear business truth: culture is no longer a soft metric—it is a measurable, high-ROI performance driver.

“Embedding cultural intelligence is no longer a peripheral initiative—it’s a strategic lever that powers agility, R&D effectiveness, and global alignment across mature GCCs in India.“— Santosh Panicker, Chief Operating Officer, SRKay Consulting Group

GCCs Are Evolving—But Culture Is Lagging

Today’s GCCs are innovation centers, managing high impact workstreams in AI, advanced analytics, and digital transformation. Yet despite this strategic evolution, many centers still struggle with the hidden costs of cultural misalignment—delayed decision-making, compliance breakdowns, communication issues, and talent attrition.

SRKay’s study, which surveyed 301 leaders across C-suite, engineering, and HR functions, found:

– 60% of Tech & IT leaders report compliance delays due to governance models misaligned with local culture.
– 65% of aviation GCCs face productivity bottlenecks from clashes between global standardization and regional work styles.
– 55–60% of engineering heads cite persistent execution hurdles caused by poor cultural synergy.

Introducing the 5-Stage Cultural Maturity Model

To tackle these gaps, SRKay proposes a 5-Stage Cultural Maturity Model, guiding GCCs from reactive problem-solving to fully institutionalized cultural fluency. The model aligns with frameworks such as Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and Trompenaars’ Model, enabling GCCs to diagnose and address issues around hierarchy, communication styles, decision-making, and feedback protocols.

This shift, SRKay argues, transforms culture from an HR initiative into a business-critical operating system.

“GCCs in India now function as strategic enablers, collaborating directly with global teams on breakthrough projects.”
— Darshil Dholakia, Director of Business Operations, SRKay Consulting Group

From Metrics to Meaning: Operationalizing Culture

Mature GCCs are already embedding culture into dashboards and governance scorecards:

– Cross-Team Collaboration Index: Quality of interaction between HQ and GCCs

– Resolution Turnaround Time: Speed of resolving culturally driven issues

– Culture NPS: Sentiment on inclusion and trust

These metrics are bolstered by AI-driven tools—sentiment intelligence, immersive VR learning for leadership alignment, and cultural playbooks embedded in collaboration platforms.

“Mature GCCs in India use culture as a source of operational excellence and innovation. Embedding culture transforms it into a competitive differentiator.”
— Alok Kumar, Founder & Managing Director, SRKay Consulting Group

Culture-Led Growth: The Future of GCCs in India

By 2030, India’s GCC market is expected to reach USD 110 billion. This growth won’t be driven by headcount alone—but by how effectively centers adopt cross-cultural collaboration, AI-enabled integration, and inclusive leadership.

“The next generation of GCCs in India will be led by executives who view cultural competence not as an HR initiative—but as a core business driver.”
— Vivek Dubey, Head of Strategic Consulting, SRKay Consulting Group

Download the Whitepaper Now

Unlocking the Full Potential of GCCs: The Strategic Power of Cultural Integration

About SRKay Consulting Group

SRKay Consulting Group is a global consulting firm that helps companies expand into emerging markets like India through data-led strategies, market entry advisory, and operational consulting. With deep expertise in regulatory compliance, digital infrastructure, and supply chain localization, SRKay is the trusted partner for Southeast Asian firms entering India.

For expert consultation and partnership opportunities, connect with:
Contact Information
Komaldeep Kaur
Email: Komal@mianext.com

Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Survey shows calm before tariff storm in Q1

The latest Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index (GBAI) jointly published by Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today indicated broad-based improvement in business sentiment in the region for the first quarter of 2025.

The GBAI “current performance” index for business activity rose to 53.5 in Q1 from 50.7 prior – the highest since Q2-2024. Six of the eight index components rose quarter-on-quarter, and all previous sub-50 underperformers rallied back above the neutral mark, namely “capacity utilisation” (+3.2pts), “raw material inventory” (+9.0pts), “financing scale” (+3.2pts) and “profits” (+3.1pts).

The GBAI “expectations” index for business activity improved in tandem with its “current performance” counterpart, to 54.3 in Q1 from 52.9 in Q4-2024. Encouragingly, seven of eight expectation sub-indices rose quarter-on-quarter, led by a 3.1 percentage point increase in “profits” and a 2.8 percentage point increase in “raw material inventory”.

All the city sub-indices, be it “current performance” or “expectations”, rose quarter-on-quarter, with Shenzhen being the only exception. Hong Kong extended its rising “current performance” streak to four straight quarters, to 53.5; its “expectations” index jumped to 56.9 – bested only by Guangzhou – from 50.8 prior. Guangzhou’s current and expectation prints stood at 60.3 and 58.0, respectively, the highest among cities.

This showed that GBA companies weathered the initial rounds of US tariff hikes (10%+10%) well, in part thanks to the DeepSeek breakthrough lifting market sentiment as well as the rising prospect of more policy stimulus from China’s policymakers. However, respondents’ more-upbeat outlook in February-March (when the Q1 survey was conducted) likely did not prepare them for recent events – US’ announcement of sweeping and sizeable reciprocal tariff hikes on China and most other countries.

Kelvin Lau, Senior Economist, Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered, said: “Given the urgency to stabilise market sentiment following the tariff-induced sell-off, the likelihood of China cutting the reserve requirement ratio and/or policy rate (7-day reverse repo rate) in April has materially increased. We expect that both monetary and fiscal policies on the Mainland will stay supportive. Meanwhile, Hong Kong would need to ramp up short-term support to SMEs and continue to diversify its trade to facilitate more non-US trade corridors. Our next survey, to be conducted in May-June, should provide a better view of the readiness of GBA businesses to live with high tariffs.”

More consumption boosts welcomed
Looking ahead, 41% of respondents saw a positive impact from the consumption boosting initiatives announced by China in January. Meanwhile, 38% said the consumer goods trade-in programme would bring positive impact on their business. When asked what else the government could do to expand the consumption-supportive measures, the most popular suggestion was “relax market access for private sector and foreign investment to help boost services consumption”.

Wing Chu, Principal Economist (Greater China Research Team), HKTDC, said: “Boosting domestic demand is one of the government’s top priorities, as highlighted in the Government Work Report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in March. More than 50% of respondents have indicated that they are either already well positioned to tap into the mainland consumer market or are currently expanding or planning to expand their operations to do so. Additional supportive measures from the government could further bolster their businesses.”

About the GBAI
The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.

Related materials
Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index Report: https://www.sc.com/hk/gba/gba-index-report/
HKTDC Research: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTk4MDY0MTYwOQ

Media enquiries

Corporate Affairs DepartmentStandard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Flora Chiu
Tel: (852) 3843 2285
Email: flora.chiu@sc.com

Communications & Public Affairs DepartmentHKTDC
Katy Wong	Clayton Lauw
Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Tel: (852) 2584 4472
Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

The 3rd InnoEX officially kicked off today with the low-altitude economy taking centre stage

– Electronics Fair runs concurrently showcasing cutting-edge products and solutions

– The 3rd InnoEX, themed “Innovate-Automate-Elevate”, opens today and runs for four days
– The exhibition focuses on low-altitude economy, smart mobility, AI, robotics and cybersecurity, showcasing intelligent solutions to address industry pain points and unlock new business opportunities
– The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, established by the Digital Policy Office, features over 100 innovative projects
– The 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), held alongside InnoEX, spotlights smart home, health tech and wearable devices

The 3rd InnoEX, co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today (13 to 16 April) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and held concurrently with the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) (EFSE). The two exhibitions feature more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and showcase intelligent solutions to address industry pain points and unlock new business opportunities. Professionals from the innovation and technology sector, investors, trade buyers and end users from various industries including SMEs are invited to visit and source.

InnoEX and the EFSE are the highlight events of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week). During the opening ceremony of BIT Week, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, gave opening remarks while Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, gave a welcome speech. Margaret Fong said, “BIT Week is more than just a series of events, but a testament to Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Hong Kong’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment make it an ideal destination for cutting-edge research, investment, and entrepreneurship.

Margaret Fong also mentioned that this year’s InnoEX has over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, representing a diverse lineup of world-class innovators, R&D centres, and technology pioneers. Japan, Thailand and the UK have expanded their participation, and welcomes first-time participation from Australia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden and the UAE, enhancing the international stature of the fair. Alongside InnoEX is the EFSE which is showcasing the latest in consumer electronics to international buyers.

InnoEX spotlights Mainland China low-altitude economy solutions and robotics
InnoEX and the EFSE bring together pavilions and exhibitors from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Macao and other regions across Asia—including ASEAN members, as well as the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania.

InnoEX focuses on the most popular and anticipated technology fields in the market, covering areas such as the low-altitude economy, smart mobility, AI, robotics, and cybersecurity, showcasing various smart solutions.

Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government and Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government visited exhibitors at InnoEX and showed their support. Professor Sun Dong also hosted the InnoEX welcome dinner last night, attended by exhibitors, buyers and industry representatives.

As Hong Kong is actively developing the low-altitude economy, InnoEX brings several rapidly developing drone and aerial car companies to showcase their solutions. Among them is Shanghai-based Vertaxi (Booth: 3B-B02A), whose drones have supported flood relief operations in Mainland China. Sichuan-based Aerofugia (Booth: 3B-B03) also introduces its electric aerial car in InnoEX.

In terms of smart mobility, Hong Kong’s Novautek Autonomous Driving Limited (Booth 3E-B11) presents an unmanned vehicle capable of delivering food and parcels, even in adverse weather and on steep slopes.

The use of artificial intelligence has become widespread and across various industry sectors. Cyberport has brought TradeMonday (Booth 3D-A01) to demonstrate a data analytics platform for the retail sector, helping SMEs gather competitors’ intelligence and refine market strategies.

Demonstrating the rapid advancement of robotics, Guangdong pavilion’s High Torque (Booth: 3E-B01) unveiled a 10kg humanoid robot that can walk, jump and overcome obstacles. Universities use this robot for hands-on programming training, helping students develop coding skills.

As Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, Hong Kong exhibitor Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Booth: 3E-B09) offers a deepfake-detection solution capable of exposing face-swap and voice-mimicry scams with 98% accuracy.

The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, set up by the Digital Policy Office, focuses on data-driven and AI applications, featuring over 100 projects that impact daily life. Highlights include solutions from 20 government bureaux and departments and award-winning entries from innovation competitions. Among them is the Architectural Services Department’s “Wall Climbing Robot”, which navigates rough and glass surfaces to conduct facade inspections safely and accurately, eliminating the personnel risks associated with high-altitude work.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has 16 park companies at the HKSTP pavilion across three industry fields, namely AI & Data, Digital Transformation, and Micro-Electronics & Sustainable Technology. Highlighted innovations include Green Vigor’s patented Hydro Power Intelli-Recycle, which recycles unused energy from water supply systems in buildings and converts it into renewable energy. Additionally, there are eight HKSTP park companies joining EFSE.

InnoEX features four themed days, each with forums and seminars on hot technology topics. The theme day today (13 April) is on the low-altitude economy and technology-driven economy. The Tech-Driven Industry and Economy Conference, presented by the HKSAR Government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, centred on the theme “Empowering Industry for a Connected Global Economy”, and Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, gave the opening speech. The conference invited government officials and industry experts to discuss how policies help foster industrial development, drive innovation and support sustainable growth, and share successful global practices and emerging trends.

The other themed days of InnoEX include AI and Robotics Technology (14 April) and Cybersecurity (15 April) while the last day (16 April) will focus on Solutions for SMEs, with government departments and several technology solution providers introducing government support programs and innovative solutions to assist SMEs in their development.

EFSE brings cutting-edge products
Running alongside InnoEX, the 21st EFSE continues under the theme “World’s Leading Electronics Marketplace”, with a focus on smart home, health tech and wearable devices.

In the smart home sector, local exhibitor Tuya (Booth: 1B-F02) has partnered with major appliance brands to enable seamless interconnectivity across smart home ecosystems, allowing users to control appliances from different brands via a single app.

In the field of health tech and wearable devices, Mainland China exhibitor Shenzhen Minew Technologies (Booth: 5E-E20) will showcase an electronic bedside tag for hospitals that displays patient conditions and medication schedules, with data updated centrally to reduce manpower needs and minimise errors.

Returning this year, the Digital Entertainment Experiential Zone offers e-sports and interactive gaming experiences—including boxing, rowing and sailing simulations—for participants and buyers.

The key event of EFSE, the Tech Trends Symposium, will take place tomorrow under the theme of “AI on the Go: A New Era of Intelligent Wearable Electronics“. The symposium will feature industry leaders sharing how smart glasses, rings and other wearables integrate AI to reshape work and life.

BIT Week brings exciting events
InnoEX and the EFSE are the core events of BIT Week, driven by the HKSAR Government’s Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the HKTDC. Other highlights of BIT Week include the recently concluded Smart Lighting Expo and Hong Kong Web3 Festival, as well as the 2nd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference, which also opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference brings together top experts—including Nobel Prize winning scholars—to discuss frontier topics across innovation and science.

Additionally, the World Internet Conference designated Hong Kong for the first time to host the Asia-Pacific Summit, which begins tomorrow at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two-day event is expected to attract over 1,000 participants from around the world to explore the latest trends in AI, digital finance, digital government and smart living, creating synergies with other BIT Week events.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4jcP3Yk

Websites
InnoEX: innoex.hktdc.com/en
Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition): hkelectronicsfairse.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:

Salina Cheng	Tel: (852) 3428 2362	Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-fung Wong	Tel: (852) 3428 3122	Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Sharon Ha	Tel: (852) 2584 4575	Email: sharon.mt.ha@hktdc.org
Johnny Tsui	Tel: (852) 2584 4395	Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw	Tel: (852) 2584 4472	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

Hebe Biotechnology Appoints Industry Insider Dr. Hannes Hentze as Chief Development Officer to Advance Next-Generation GLP-1 RA Weight Loss Therapy

April 9, Hebe Biotechnology Pte Ltd (Hebe Bio), a Singapore-based innovator in metabolic health therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Hannes Hentze, PhD, MBA as Chief Development Officer (CDO), effective April 1, 2025. Dr. Hentze will lead the global development strategy for the company’s next-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), a cutting-edge weight loss therapy designed to enhance efficacy and tolerability, addressing the global obesity challenge.

Strategic Leadership for a Transformative Therapy

Dr. Hentze brings over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical development, specializing in oncology, metabolic disorders, and biologics. His background spans academic research (IMCB, NTU), biotech ventures (S*BIO, ES Cell International, ASLAN), and large pharmaceutical players (Schering-Plough, MSD). Most recently, he served as Associate Director of Translational Sciences at EDDC (A*STAR).

At Hebe Bio, Dr. Hentze will spearhead preclinical and translational development, guiding clinical trial readiness, regulatory strategy, and strategic partnerships to accelerate the GLP-1 RA program’s global commercialization.

Sam Lim, MD, PhD, MBA, CEO of Hebe Bio, remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome Hannes to our leadership team. His deep expertise in metabolic drug development and his visionary approach align perfectly with our mission to deliver transformative therapies. His leadership will be pivotal as we accelerate our GLP-1 RA candidate, which has the potential to redefine standards in weight management and healthspan extension.”

Advancing Innovation in Metabolic Health

Hebe Bio’s GLP-1 RA therapy integrates cutting-edge science to optimize fat loss in the context of maintaining muscle mass, while minimizing common side effects associated with existing therapies. Preclinical data on Hebe Bio’s lead molecules have demonstrated superior efficacy and tolerability, positioning it as a next-generation solution for truly sustainable, healthspan-extending weight loss therapy.

Dr. Hentze expressed enthusiasm about his new role at Hebe Bio: “Joining Hebe Bio is a unique opportunity to make a real impact in a critical area of global health. Our GLP-1 RA candidate has the potential to shift the obesity treatment paradigm, and I look forward to collaborating with the exceptional Hebe Bio team, and our global partners to bring this therapy to patients worldwide.”

About Hebe Biotechnology Pte Ltd

Hebe Biotechnology is a Singapore-headquartered biopharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering next-generation therapies for metabolic and chronic diseases. By combining advanced research with strategic global partnerships, Hebe Bio is committed to delivering patient-centric solutions that address unmet medical needs.

Media Contact:

Ms Kung
Bright International Communications Limited
Email: ir@brightcommns.com
Mobile: +852 4637 1627
Website: www.hebebio.sg

Transform Your Social Media Profile into a Sales Catalog with GoDaddy’s Show in Bio Tool

How a small business presents and sells its offerings can be the difference between success and failure. GoDaddy has launched Show in Bio to help small businesses increase sales and stand out on social media.

This affordable tool offers flexibility for small business owners not yet ready to build a website, enabling them to showcase their products or services on social media channels, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, Pinterest and LinkedIn, and interact with customers through channels like WhatsApp to close sales. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to quickly draft product information, such as name, description, and price, and create a personalized one-page sales catalogue in minutes, no technical skills are required to use the tool.

Entrepreneurs who run their business on social media are more confident using AIResearch from GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey found over one in four (28%) of small business owners globally primarily run their business on social media. This shift in small business ownership to social-first entrepreneurs heightens the importance of how a small business sells online. GoDaddy’s research has found these social-first entrepreneurs are younger, more optimistic about business performance and more confident in their ability to leverage AI for their business. This trend reveals not only the growth potential of social-first businesses, but also how technology – specifically AI – is a key enabler to innovate, scale and thrive.

Start a business on social media with low spend and without the need to build a websiteShow in Bio allows entrepreneurs to start a business quickly with low spend, even validating a business idea before launching it. While perfect for small business owners who may not have yet built a website, the tool also supports domain integration, allowing those with an established online presence to use their own domain for a seamless branded experience.

Key features and benefits include:

Centralize Your Links – Put all your important content in one shareable link.
Drive Engagement – Drive traffic to key offers and updates instantly by sharing your link in bio on social channels.
Showcase Products – Create a captivating catalogue with images and videos directly on your page.
Domain Integration – Use your own domain for a seamless and branded experience.
Save Time with AI – Generate quality product information and profile bios fast, no tech skills required.

“We’re supporting entrepreneurs to start their online business wherever it makes the most sense for them – including on social media,” said Selina Bieber, Vice President of International Markets at GoDaddy. “The rise of social media in the last 20-plus years has captured a significant share of internet activity, but it hasn’t diminished the need for businesses to have their own brand and their own identity.“Show in Bio is an enhanced link in bio solution built to support small businesses run on social media, directly addressing challenges such as driving traffic, lack of technical skills and setting up a website while simplifying social selling.”

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Issued on behalf of GoDaddy.

For more information, contact:
Fekra Communications
info@fekracomms.com

The India Market Entry Dilemma: What’s Holding Manufacturers Back?

India is emerging as the world’s next manufacturing giant—yet global corporations still stumble at the entrance. Despite its $7.5 trillion growth trajectory, cost advantages, and policy incentives, there are still several obstacles in the way of building a long-lasting presence in India. A recent whitepaper titled “Why Do Global Manufacturers Struggle with India Market Entry?” offers a data-driven blueprint for overcoming regulatory, supply chain, and regulatory obstacles in one of the world’s complex but most promising economies.

Regional companies aiming to expand into India can find a powerful roadmap in SRKay Consulting Group’s latest release, “Why Do Global Manufacturers Struggle with India Market Entry?” This comprehensive publication outlines the key challenges that often derail even the most experienced players—including regulatory red tape, infrastructure hurdles, intellectual property risks, pricing pressures, and workforce acquisition difficulties.

The report dives deep into the root causes behind these obstacles, from fragmented supply chains to complex compliance landscapes, and presents a structured, four-pillar India entry strategy. Covering insights across seven key sectors, it serves as an essential guide for manufacturers seeking to build a resilient and scalable presence in the Indian market.

Highlights & Strategic Takeaways:

A Proven India Market Entry Framework: A four-pillar approach covering research, business setup, supply chain localisation, and long-term growth.
Real Success Stories: What global giants like Apple, Hyundai, and IKEA won in India by adapting to local demand and operational realities.
Insights for Emerging Market Entrants: UAE and Malaysia-based companies prioritise India’s growth and competitive costs, but face workforce, regulatory, and IP-related hurdles.
Digital & Trade Enablers: How UPI, ONDC, and Free Trade Agreements (like CEPA and ECTA) are creating new competitive advantages for manufacturers.

“India is not just a big market—it’s a complex one. For Southeast Asian companies, entering India without the right regulatory, supply chain, and cultural game plan is risky. This whitepaper is our answer to help them succeed,” said Alok Kumar, Founder & Managing Director

This whitepaper is an essential resource for business strategists assessing market viability or C-suite executives considering expansion to confidently and clearly navigate the India opportunity.

Download the Whitepaper Now

Why Do Global Manufacturers Struggle with India Market Entry?

Venturi Partners Launches $225 Million Second Fund to Fuel Disruptive Consumer Brands in Southeast Asia and India

Investment platform aims for a first close of $130 million by June 2025

Venturi Partners, a Singapore based leading growth-stage consumer-focused investor in India and Southeast Asia, has announced the launch of its second fund, targeting $225 million, with a hard cap of $250 million. Building on the success of its first fund, the new fund will continue to focus on Venturi’s core strategy of backing consumer brands that are disrupting their sectors and creating innovative products and services tailored for the evolving Asian consumer.

The second fund will target high-growth sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), with a continued focus on India and Southeast Asia. Venturi is aiming for a first close by Q2 CY2025, with visibility towards $130 million, backed by continued strong support from existing investors.

In April 2022, Venturi had raised $180 million from prominent families in Europe & Asia. Venturi’s first fund has invested in 7 high-growth consumer companies across various sectors such as education, F&B subscription, beauty & personal care, retail, and home interiors. Its existing portfolio includes Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, DALI, K-12 Techno and JQR.

Nicholas Cator, Founder of Venturi Partners, said: “Our investment philosophy remains unchanged, backing brands that create meaningful change and deliver innovative solutions to consumers. We take an active ownership approach with our portfolio companies, working closely with founders to help unlock growth and scale their businesses. With this second fund, we are excited to continue partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs across the region.”

Venturi’s unique hands-on approach is centred around working closely with management teams to scale operations and create lasting value. The firm’s expertise in identifying and scaling consumer businesses has made it a trusted partner for founders in India and Southeast Asia.

About Venturi Partners

Founded in 2020, Venturi Partners is an Asia-focused investment platform that enables consumer-facing businesses to build disruptive brands in India and Southeast Asia. The firm provides growth funding to consumer-centric, purpose-driven brands, with a focus on retail, education, healthcare and fast-moving consumer goods, that have a shared desire to create a positive impact on the world. Venturi has built a unique investment platform for families wanting to participate in the long-term consumer growth trends in Asia. The platform is built around shared values and long-term partnerships, and aims to bring operational value-add to entrepreneurs building tomorrow’s leading brands in Asia.

For more information, please visit www.venturi.partners

Media contacts:
Adfactors PR
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034

HKTDC and DBS Hong Kong cohost T-box workshop to explore ASEAN business opportunities for SMEs

– Helping Hong Kong businesses transform to embrace new opportunities

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (DBS Hong Kong) recently co-organised a T-box Workshop on Navigating ASEAN Business Opportunities to showcase the vast potential of the ASEAN market to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to help them further expand their international business footprint. ASEAN is the third-largest economy in Asia and the fifth largest globally, following the United States, China, Japan, and Germany, and holds significant economic influence and abundant business opportunities.

As the second largest trading region since 2010, bilateral trade between Hong Kong and ASEAN reached USD145 billion in 2023, accounting for 12.8% of Hong Kong’s total global trade. The key focus of the workshop was to show Hong Kong SMEs how they could explore business opportunities in ASEAN.

Cherry Lee, Associate Director, Marketing & Customer Service, Corporate Communications & Marketing, HKTDC, said: “Inevitably, businesses encounter issues associated with entering new markets including those in ASEAN. As Hong Kong SMEs have limited resources to tackle these challenges HKTDC helps by providing free support services from over 50 offices worldwide. Since the launch of T-box in April 2020, more than 4,700 Hong Kong companies have participated and gained assistance including branding, digital transformation, manufacturing and supply chain solutions, new market exploration, and sustainability transformation to achieve business and transformation goals.”

T-box programme is offered free of charge and is open to all Hong Kong registered companies. Dedicated T-box staff work with corporates to identify their goals and provide support, with group and tailored services including advisory services, workshops, government-funding information, market knowledge and networking opportunities.

Lareina Wang, Managing Director and Head of SME Banking, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, said: “The ASEAN market presents abundant business opportunities. Our survey reveals that over half of Hong Kong SMEs view expanding into new Asian markets as a key business priority, with particular focus on Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. As Southeast Asia’s largest bank with deep roots in Asia and extensive market knowledge, DBS is committed to supporting SMEs in entering ASEAN and achieving sustainable growth through efficient banking solutions, professional advisory services, extensive networks, and market insights.”

SMEs are the pillars of Hong Kong’s economy, but they often face challenges in managing operational costs, maintaining cash flow, and expanding into Asian markets. Leveraging its strong network in Asia and leading digital technology, DBS Hong Kong provides tailored banking solutions and competitive financing options for SMEs, thereby enhancing their businesses resilience and growth, and driving the development of Hong Kong’s business ecosystem.

T-box Workshop on Navigating ASEAN Business Opportunities invited several ASEAN market experts to share insights. The session began with Galvin Chia, HKTDC Principal Economist, Asian and Emerging Markets Research Team, who provided an overview of the ASEAN market and its opportunities.

During the discussion panel, Billy Cheung, Executive Director, Hong Kong Foreign Trade eCommerce Association shared tips to SMEs about how to leverage e-commerce platforms to enter new markets. Crystal Yuen, Head of Documentary Trade Product Management, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited discussed how banks or related institutions can support SMEs in entering new markets through trade finance. Finally, Eugene Yeung, Tax Partner, KPMG China, provided tax strategies and advice for SMEs to avoid tax risks while effectively utilising tax incentives to expand their business.

In a rapidly changing global economy, all sectors in Hong Kong, whether large enterprises or SMEs, need to continuously upgrade and transform, striving to explore new markets and seek avenues for business growth while embracing new opportunities. T-box regularly organises workshops and online seminars on various topics, inviting industry leaders and professionals to provide practical information on branding, digital transformation, manufacturing and supply chain solutions, new market exploration, and sustainability transformation, helping enterprises strengthen their competitive advantage. Through this workshop, participants opened up new horizons for business development and seize the immense potential of the ASEAN market. The successful hosting of this seminar also highlights the support and commitment of HKTDC and DBS Hong Kong to SMEs

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/4buTN8N

Media enquiries

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Clayton Lauw

Tel: (852) 2584 4472

Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

DBS Hong Kong:

Celia Wan	Tel: (852) 6690 9250	Email: celiawan@dbs.com
Gigi Lai	Tel: (852) 6840 2142	Email: gigilai@dbs.com

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME, and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities.

For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.