AWS and HKSTP Deepen Strategic Collaboration

(Hong Kong, 17 June 2026) – Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced at AWS Summit Hong Kong a deepening of its strategic collaboration with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). As part of this enhanced partnership, the AWS Joint Innovation Center (JIC) will launch a new three-year strategic enhancement programme centred on three key pillars: Co-nurturing Startups, Developing AI Talent, and Enabling Global Expansion. The initiative aims to support more than 100 startups jointly each year, extend for the first time into the life and health technology sector, and establish a structured innovation and technology (I&T) career development pathway for university students in Hong Kong, further reinforcing the city’s position as a world-class I&T hub.

Since forming a strategic partnership in 2022 and establishing the JIC in 2023, AWS and HKSTP have together supported the growth of more than 100 startups. Through annual initiatives such as Idea Launcher, the AWS & HKSTP Co-incubation Program, more than 10 technical workshops, corporate and investor matching activities, the two organisations have effectively accelerated the growth and market expansion of the startups. AWS has also served for three consecutive years as the exclusive technology enabler of Hong Kong Techathon+, Hong Kong’s largest international inter collegiate annual I&T event, involving more than 300 (TBC) participating teams. In parallel, through go global exchange activities held in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, AWS has connected with more than 100 founders to explore cross boundary development opportunities. Building on this strong foundation, the two parties have officially launched a strategic enhancement of the JIC, bringing deeper and more far-reaching impact to Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem.

Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: “I am delighted to witness AWS and HKSTP bringing their successful collaboration to a new milestone. This strategic enhancement, focusing on deep tech, talent nurturing and connecting to global markets, is fully aligned with Hong Kong’s forward-looking direction of developing new quality productive forces and building the industries of the future. The Government will continue to support this kind of close collaboration, injecting momentum into Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem and consolidating our position as an international I&T centre.”

Mr Chris So, Managing Director of AWS Hong Kong, said: “AWS is committed to nurturing I&T companies at every stage of their development, and we are very excited to deepen this commitment together with HKSTP. Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem is vibrant, and through this strategic enhancement we will not only devote additional resources and advanced capabilities in areas such as cloud and AI, but will also actively bring in AWS’s global network to support talent initiatives, including HKSTP’s Talent Foundry Programme. Through the Hong Kong Landing Program, we will also help local startups expand into the Greater Bay Area and the international arena, while attracting overseas companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong.”

Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: “Our collaboration with AWS is a vital part of our efforts to build a thriving I&T ecosystem. The enhancement of the AWS JIC will enable us to channel resources more systematically into the areas with the greatest potential, such as life and health technology, while providing our young talent with a clear career development pathway. We firmly believe that deepening this partnership will more effectively drive the journey from research and development to commercialisation, give rise to more successful deep tech startups, and bring greater innovation and positive impact to society.”

The enhancement of the AWS JIC will be centred on three strategic pillars:

• Co- nurturing startups: The two parties will continue to deepen their collaboration through joint incubation initiatives such as Idea Launcher and the AWS and HKSTP Co-incubation Program, with the goal of jointly supporting more than 100 startups each year. In this new phase, the partnership will expand for the first time into the life and health technology sector. Working with industry and academia, the two organisations will provide high potential startups with comprehensive support from technology through to commercialisation, helping to position Hong Kong as Asia’s preferred destination for deep tech entrepreneurship. 
  
  
• Developing AI talent: To build a future ready pipeline of AI and technology talent for Hong Kong, and to strengthen the city’s competitiveness, the two parties will continue over the next three years as the exclusive technology enabler of Hong Kong Techathon+. Co-organised by HKSTP and 15 local tertiary institutions, the event aims to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among local and overseas tertiary talent. In parallel, the two organisations will work together to advance HKSTP’s Talent Foundry Programme for talent development and career readiness, enhancing university students’ employability in the I&T sector. 
  
  
• Enabling Global Expansion: By connecting entrepreneurs and investors with opportunities in the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as international markets, the partnership will help innovative companies expand beyond Hong Kong. AWS’s Hong Kong Landing Program, together with HKSTP’s Incubation Programme and the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch, can provide startups with expert guidance, access to funding channels, and active connections to the Greater Bay Area and global markets, opening up clear pathways for cross boundary growth.