(Hong Kong, 8 July 2026) – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is making a strong presence at LEAP East 2026 taking place from 8 to 10 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. As the exclusive Tech Ecosystem Partner of this internationally renowned event, HKSTP is joined by more than 30 park companies at the exhibition, including 23 companies exhibiting within the HKSTP Pavilion and over 10 companies participating independently. In addition, more than 20 HKSTP executives and representatives from park companies are delivering keynote speeches and taking part in panel discussions, engaging with the global innovation and technology (I&T) community while demonstrating the international influence of Hong Kong’s largest I&T ecosystem.
Under the theme “Gateway to the NEXT”, the HKSTP Pavilion brings together 23 high-potential startups and tech ventures to showcase innovation solutions across four key tech pillars: Life and Health Tech, GreenTech & Sustainability, Smart Cities & Urban Tech, and AI, Data & Robotics. Highlighted solutions include a Robotic-assisted surgical system, a fast-charging battery system for electric motorcycles, an AI and digital twin platform for 24/7 lifecycle city management, and a connected compliance and investigation platform for financial ecosystem, addressing the Middle East market’s real-life demand for precise and automated healthcare, sustainable infrastructure, smart city management and regulatory technology.
Noticeably, in the highly anticipated Rocket Fuel East Startup Competition, eight of the 25 semi-finalists are from the HKSTP ecosystem to compete for up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, further demonstrating the innovation potential and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s startup community.
HKSTP has established strong I&T ties with the Middle East. Following the visit of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong Science Park in 2023, HKSTP signed a MoU with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) at LEAP 2024 to advance cross-border innovation exchange, R&D collaboration and market expansion. In 2025, park companies participated in GITEX Global and Expand North Star, facilitating more than 200 business matching sessions. Throughout the year, HKSTP also arranged over 175 business matching opportunities with Middle Eastern enterprises and investors, helping more than 50 innovation and technology companies secure confirmed business exceeding HK$75 million, with a weighted pipeline of over HK$126 million. Through LEAP East 2026, HKSTP aims to facilitate even more cross-border industry collaborations and strategic business matching opportunities, supporting technology companies in expanding their footprints across the Middle East and Asia.
Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, shared: “LEAP chose Hong Kong for its first overseas edition, fully endorsing the city’s unique position as an international I&T hub. Hong Kong is not only a key gateway for global tech companies to enter the Asian market, but also the ‘next gateway’ to the Middle East and global opportunities. Over the past few years, HKSTP has continuously led park companies into the Middle East through exhibitions, investor engagement, strategic partnerships and market expansion initiatives, bringing Hong Kong’s innovation solutions to the global stage. We not only help our companies connect with diverse application scenarios in the Middle East, but also address their deeper needs for capital transformation, enabling them to seize opportunities across the region and beyond. HKSTP will continue to play its core role as an ‘Ecosystem Orchestrator’, and under the ‘one country, two systems’ advantage, we will effectively ‘bring in and go global’, bringing together top global talent and enterprises to propel Hong Kong’s I&T to new heights on the international stage.”
The three-day event brings together more than 25,000 attendees, over 300 global tech leaders, more than 400 exhibitors and over 250 investors and startups, creating a premier international platform for I&T exchanges in Hong Kong and across Asia. HKSTP’s senior management team is actively participating in forums and keynote sessions, engaging with global industry leaders, showcasing Hong Kong’s innovation strengths and encouraging international technology talent to join Hong Kong’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
On the opening day, Terry Wong, CEO, delivered a keynote speech on the main stage on the topic of “Unlocking Asia & Global Growth – HKSTP As the Launchpad for Global Tech”; Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, Filla Mak, Chief Property and Asset Officer, and Dr Charleston Sin, Head of AI & Data, share insights into Life and Health, Smart City and AI respectively, leading discussions on future technology trends.
To strengthen connections between park companies and the international innovation community, HKSTP co-organised “Build East: Agentic AI Demo Day and Tour” with Minds by Animoca Brands on 7 July. The event welcomed global investors and more than 30 startups from Saudi Arabia’s KACST to Hong Kong Science Park, where they exchanged ideas with HKSTP and park startups, gained first-hand insights into Hong Kong’s largest I&T ecosystem, and explored cross-border collaboration and investment opportunities.
LEAP East 2026
Date: 8-10 July 2026
Venue: Halls 1 and 3, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai
HKSTP Pavillion Booth No.: H1.Q30 (Hong Kong Pavilion, Hall 1)
