Hysan and HKSTP Celebrate The Community Lab Milestone in Strategic Partnership Launch Second Phase of Last-mile Testing Programme to Advance Sustainable Innovation

(Hong Kong, 28 May 2025)— Hysan Development Company Limited (“Hysan”) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTP”) marked a significant milestone in their strategic collaboration today with the successful completion of the first three-year phase of the Last-mile Testing Programme (LMTP) and the official launch of a second three-year partnership to accelerate smart and sustainable urban innovation.

The announcement was made during a special event held at The Community Lab, the joint innovation platform established by Hysan and HKSTP in the heart of Causeway Bay. The event celebrated the impactful achievements under this collaboration, backed by a total joint contribution of over HK$10 million to support pilot trials and business growth of participating start-ups, and technological adoption in Lee Gardens Area. The initiative highlights the commitment of both Hysan and HKSTP to fostering public-private collaboration for real-world innovation that delivers meaningful community benefits.

Since 2022, The Community Lab has been a valuable platform for innovation-to-commercialisation, enabling start-ups to test and refine their technologies in a complex urban community. This collaboration has provided HKSTP’s park companies with real-world testing opportunities, while Hysan has leveraged its Community Business Model to drive innovation that enhances urban experiences.

Over the past three years, start-ups have bridged their gap between concept and adoption in Lee Gardens Area, positioning this community as one of Hong Kong’s most active and impactful innovation testbeds.

Collaboration Achievements:

Mr Ricky Lui, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Hysan Development Company Limited, said, “The successful completion of our first three-year partnership with HKSTP is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation is rooted in community. Through Hysan’s Community Business Model, we integrate people, technology, and purpose, turning real-world challenges into opportunities for progress. The Community Lab has proven to be a dynamic catalyst for innovation in the built environment. As we embark on the second phase of collaboration, we are energised to further empower next-generation solutions that drive long-term smart sustainability for the community, and exemplify our shared vision to make our city more liveable, sustainable, and future-ready.”

Mr Eric Or, Acting Chief Corporate Development Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation said, “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Hysan, providing start-ups a living lab environment to test, refine and validate their innovations. As the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP is committed to promoting commercialisation of sustainable solutions through cross-sectors collaboration. We will continue to create business matching opportunities for more tech enterprises, working together to drive innovation that delivers lasting impacts to the community and fosters a smarter future for the city.”

The event also showcased the third cohort of the LMTP, showcasing three start-ups focused on smart liveability and sustainability, including Aurabeat Technology Limited, EC Innovation Limited and i2Cool Limited. Their proof-of-concept trials address urban challenges, ranging from improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality to enhancing green landscaping through water conservation solutions. They also aim to mitigate urban heat island effect with sub-ambient cooling for outdoor environments — innovations designed to build greener and more resilient cities. For more information, please refer to the appendix.

A panel discussion, “Smart Sustainability in Urban City Planning,” explored how smart tech and cross-sector collaboration can drive sustainable urban transformation. The session was moderated by Ar Julia Lau, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. Speakers included representatives of this cohort — Mr Philip Yuen, CEO of Aurabeat Technology Limited, Mr Jackson Yip, CEO of EC Innovation Limited, Prof Martin Zhu, CEO & Co-Founder of i2Cool Limited, alongside Ms Winnie Wong, General Manager, Projects of Hysan Development Company Limited. The panel underscored how smart sustainability solutions—from water-saving irrigation to energy free cooling materials and clean air tech—can transform urban spaces into resilient, healthier communities. These innovations prove that collaboration between innovators, planners, and local stakeholders is key to building future-ready cities.

As Hysan and HKSTP embark on the next phase of their partnership, the LMTP will continue to drive people-centred innovation and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a hub for urban technology and smart city development in the region.