(Hong Kong, 27 August 2025) – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in collaboration with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), has successfully concluded the third year of the HYAB Youth Start-up Internship Programme (YSIP 2025), which saw exceptional demand with approximately 750 student applicants competing for 100 internship positions. This surge of interest was driven by growing industry support, as a record 196 startups created nearly 250 internship openings in January. The overwhelming response reflects the diversity of participating companies and the growing enthusiasm among youth to pursue innovation and technology-driven careers, fostering the programme’s positive impact.
Fully funded by the HYAB, YSIP offers engagement activities and salary subsidies that enable startups to access emerging talents while providing students with real-world exposure in entrepreneurial and innovative settings. These internships, spanning a period of three to six months, placed young talents in technology research and development as well as business operation roles across a wide range of fields. For instance, life and health technology, green innovation, information and communications technology, materials science and precision engineering.
Mr Clarence Leung, Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, said, "Supporting the HKSAR Government's commitment to youth development, the HYAB creates diverse internship and exchange opportunities. With an initial focus on innovation and technology, YSIP offers subsidies to local startups to hire interns, and provides students with hands-on experience while helping these companies recruit young talent. This infusion of new perspectives and vitality creates a win-win scenario, serving as a landmark example of successful collaboration between the Government and the industry.”
Ms Fanny Wong, Chief Talent Officer of HKSTP, said, “Aligning with the government's efforts to enlarge the I&T talent pool, YSIP has become an integral part of HKSTP’s talent strategy, successfully bridging the aspirations of young people with the demands of startup innovation. This year’s record participation from our park companies reflects a shared belief in the power of youth to shape the I&T future in Hong Kong and beyond. Through HKSTP’s Talent Conversion Scheme, we are especially proud that 15% of the final-year interns from YSIP 2024 received full-time offers. It is a testament to YSIP’s meaningful impact on both talent development and startup growth.”
In addition to internship placements, YSIP featured a series of engagement activities designed to enrich the participants’ I&T journey. A highlight of the programme was a three-day, two-night trip to the Greater Bay Area, where 35 participants visited key entrepreneurial hubs and leading technological companies. This journey provided first-hand exposure to the fast-evolving I&T landscape in the Mainland and offered insights into future career opportunities across the region. Throughout the internship period, interns also participated in developmental workshops, peer networking events, and industry meet-ups to connect with multicultural peers and experienced innovators from the Mainland and overseas.
In YSIP 2025, new awards have been introduced to celebrate the achievements of interns and participating startups. These accolades recognise outstanding internship performance and promote a culture of nurturing talents. Through nominations, the awards ‘Internship Journey to Excellence’ and the ‘Most Nurturing Employer’ were presented at the closing ceremony, along with the ‘Highest Engagement’ award. Awarded interns received prizes to further encourage their pursuit of excellence in their I&T pathway.
Ken Lau, a final-year Computer Engineering student at the Hong Kong University of Science of Technology, said that working as a Software Engineer at Delta Lab Limited was eye-opening. “YSIP provided me with the opportunity to gain invaluable guidance and industry learning resources offered by my supervisor, I not only grew my skills but also secured a return offer to become a full-time staff."
Hinson Wong, CEO of Delta Lab, praised Ken’s remarkable enthusiasm, “YSIP helps talents like Ken build their passion on the job while employers are enabled to identify intern qualities for the business during the internship. Ken’s rapid growth and contributions to blockchain exemplify why initiatives like YSIP are essential for discovering future-ready innovators.”
“The financial support from YSIP encourages startups to select young talents from a large talent pool”, added by Marco Pirisinu, Business Development Director of Jotbody (HK) Limited. “The programme also provides various exposure and workshops to equip interns. It’s a win-win: students gain transformative experience while companies get motivated and prepared talents."
His student intern, Siyuan Xie, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong studying master’s degree, shared that YSIP is a perfect platform for professional and personal growth. “Marco gave me the confidence to take on real marketing challenges, from strategy development to campaign management in the biotechnology field. Through hands-on experience and constructive feedback, I gained practical skills that will shape my career and this even inspired me to consider future opportunities at Hong Kong Science Park.”
YSIP 2025 offered full-time students (including sub-degree, undergraduate, or postgraduate) aged between 18 and 30 the opportunity to immerse themselves in real-world startup environments. The success of YSIP 2025 underscores the shared commitment of the HKSAR Government and HKSTP to nurture future I&T leaders and solidify Hong Kong's status as a global innovation hub.
