HKSTP Announces the Third Intake of LEAP

(Hong Kong, 10 December 2015) - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTP”) recently announced the opening of applications for the Leading Enterprises Acceleration Programme (“LEAP”).  Marking the third intake since its launch last March, the LEAP Programme is designed to nurture start-ups working on innovative technologies with high market potential into regional or global companies. The companies admitted to LEAP are stringently selected from HKSTP’s Incubation Programmes and current Park companies.

LEAP is divided into three tracks covering start-ups and technology companies specialising in

• App – such as mobile app, web app, portal and games;
• Tech – such as IT&Telecom, electronics, green tech and precision engineering;
• Bio – such as therapeutics, personal care, medical devices and Chinese medicine.

Under LEAP, HKSTP provides the programme’s participants with quality professional services, mentorship, fundraising and business opportunities as well as comprehensive value-added services. Each LEAP member will enjoy intensive and all-round support, tailor-made business consulting services and trainings, as well as access to industry leaders, investors, trade associations and industry organizations worldwide. Besides HKSTP’s in-house team, LEAP engages high profile external professional firms, domain experts and mentors to enrich the service offering of the programme.

In addition, LEAP also provides its member companies with financial support for domain expert consultation and business acceleration. The maximum assistance for each technology area is HK$400,000 (App), HK$600,000 (Tech) and HK$950,000 (Bio) respectively.

The programme has been applauded by LEAP members. Kevin Chan, CEO of Insight Robotics mentioned, “I would recommend LEAP to growth/accelerating stage technology firm. Time is more important than money at this stage, and LEAP does fast-track our relation building with top tier partner. The LEAP team and companies ratio is right; I feel that we have all the attention that we can have.”

Similar feedbacks are also received from other companies in LEAP. Commented Winnie Leung, CEO of eNano Health, “We only have very positive things to talk about LEAP. As a very small company where most of the human resources are in technical areas, LEAP, especially with seasoned professionals working hand-in-hand with us, has enabled huge possibilities to help us move rapidly to the next steps in business development and financing.”

Peter Mok, Head of Incubation Programmes of HKSTP believes LEAP’s ever-growing ecosystem of mentors, investors, and professional partners will work together to create a network of support to accelerate members’ entrepreneurial journey. “The programme nurtures high potential technology start-ups and companies to acquire the funding needed as they emerge into the expansion stage.  As we can see from the success of the first two intakes, the intangible values received by LEAP members are actually beyond mentorship and business connections.  Once admitted, all selected start-ups and technology companies can also enjoy the comprehensive value-added services provided by HKSTP, not to mention the recognition of being chosen to be part of the programme,” said Mok.

The admission for the 3rd Intake is now open and the dead line of application will be on 15 January, 2016.  For more details about the programme, please refer to appendix I or visit http://www.hkstp.org/en-US/Services-Programmes/leap/Overview.aspx. To get an update from the companies of 1st and 2nd Intake, please refer to appendix II.

Appendix I

LEAP Programme Highlights

Appendix II

Members of LEAP 1st Intake

Optical Sensing specializes in the design and development of real-time temperature optical sensing technology to prevent fire accidents in environments where electrical power supplies are required. LEAP supported the company in establishing connections with relevant government bureau and department. International market expansion is well in progress with their product being evaluated or adopted by some airports in Southeast Asia.

Trinity Photonics Limited is a company founded by a group of enthusiastic experts in optical communication and photonic technology. The company received strong support from LEAP in fundraising and strategic discussions with multiple investors. After successful installation of their next generation optical network to 42 international and local schools and institutions, LEAP team is helping to implement a pilot project for a revolutionary bandwidth expansion.

AdvanPro, as one of the Innovation Heroes of HKSTP, is a technology company aspiring to become a leader in soft smart sensing technologies. Along the company’s expansion, LEAP offers advice on capital structuring, organizational structure and human resources management.  Currently, AdvanPro is at the final-stage of product fine-tuning and a soft launch on technological breakthrough was held in Nov 2015.  The marketing team of HKSTP also helps the company with its newsletters and marketing events.

Application Technology is a mobile apps development company as well as HKSTP’s current incubatee.  The company joined the LEAP programme in 2014 and has successfully concluded several deals with organizations such as Citibank, Department of Paediatrics of CUHK, MOISELLE, Pokka Cafe and Century 21 Hong Kong etc. In addition, it also collaborates with PCCW to introduce its revamped Siu Ming App to the catering sector. LEAP helps formulating business strategy and evaluating new technology market opportunities

Members of LEAP 2nd Intake

eNano specializes in the development of real-time biosensors to detect and monitor diseases via a simple process. LEAP has provided intensive support to the company to fuel its expansion in China through fundraising and facilitated discussions with several Chinese strategic partners. The company received Red Herring Global Top 100 finalists in Nov 2015.

Insight Robotics, a technology company that safeguards natural resources and infrastructure through automation and early-warning threat deduction, has made its connection through LEAP with multiple investors, potential customers and partners. In addition, LEAP’s professional panel member has also given advice to the company on distribution agreements. The company is selling in many provinces in China and expanding aggressively into Southeast Asia and North America.  

Liricco Technology specializes in the R&D of turnkey energy saving solution for home and business. LEAP offers professional consulting services to evaluate their business model, value chain and mode of entry.  Currently, the marketing team of HKSTP is helping the company with its B2B and B2C marketing strategies formation.

Lively Impact specializes in big data application. Their flagship product “Fingereach” is very popular and the 2nd product- “Eledata” is expected to launch in Q1 2016. Meanwhile, LEAP continues supporting on deck revamp, negotiation technique and term sheet interpretation in potential investor deals. The company was selected among 15 finalists in recent Beijing TechCrunch.

NeoMechanics provides revolutionary dynamic sealing solutions to various types of industrial machines. .In its active discussions with partners and investors, the company has gained extensive support and advice from LEAP team.  In addition, LEAP has connected the company to the most reputable research institute in China in dynamic sealing solution for technology validation. NeoMechanics is expecting to close its first round of financing and kick off its China operation in the coming months.