HKSTP Shared Vision of Innovation and Sustainability with ConTech Startups and Accelerator Programme at Construction Innovation Expo 2022

Photo 5: Mr. ZENG Xianxin (middle), Director-General, Department of Construction Market Supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China and other honorable guests, visit HKSTP Pavilion to understand the latest development of ConTech in HKSTP’s ecosystem.

(Hong Kong, 13 December 2022) – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is showcasing a vision for a sustainable and innovation-driven construction industry with a 17-strong exhibitor lineup at the Construction Innovation Expo 2022 (CI Expo), plus the newly-launch of its ConTech Accelerator 2022 Programme to rapidly scale high-potential ConTech startups.

Organised by the Development Bureau, the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China (CSTID) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), CI Expo is paving the path to drive sustainable development in the Hong Kong construction industry. As a supporting organisation for the event, HKSTP is presenting a ConTech showcase to highlight the role of innovation and technology in enhancing productivity, sustainability and safety in the construction industry. The participating Park companies demonstrate cross-disciplinary technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics (AIR), Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), Building Information Modelling (BIM) and new materials that can be applied to ConTech.

HKSTP is committed to building an innovation ecosystem to enable rapid ConTech development and to spark industry transformation. The newly-launched and first-in-Hong Kong ConTech Accelerator 2022 Programme, combines the incubation expertise of HKSTP and the deep domain knowledge of the CIC to create a platform for ready-to-market ConTech solutions and smooth the way for industry trials, solution adoption and industry best practices.

Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: “Hong Kong’s construction sector has long been among the world’s best in terms of quality, speed and safety, but to remain a world leader, the industry must look to the future with technology and sustainability which are the keys to competitive edge. HKSTP is on a mission to spark innovation, drive best practice and propel ConTech adoption and success to ensure Hong Kong’s construction industry is thriving in the modern age.”

HKSTP’s ConTech Accelerator in partnership with CIC has already collected more than 300 industry pain points from 20 construction contractors. These have been consolidated into 73 specific problem statements across the sector in a bid to find solutions through ConTech innovation. The programme has also received over 200 completed applications, with over 100 business matching meetings scheduled before February 2023, demonstrating the large appetite and interest in ConTech.

To further boost the growth of ConTech startups, HKSTP is also presenting on 16 December 2022, a preview of its annual EPiC ‘elevator pitch’ event at the expo. EPiC 2023 is a unique, worldwide competition for local and global startups to expand their footprint into Asia, with cash prizes and an investment opportunity of up to US$5 million, plus major investor and business opportunities for ambitious startups. PropTech, which includes ConTech is one of this year’s key themes, with applications for the annual competition closing on 29 December 2022. More information is available at the EPiC 2023 website: https://epic.hkstp.org/

For the ConTech startups on show at the HKSTP Pavilion at CI Expo 2022, the theme this year is “Reconstructing Construction with Innovation” and features 17 Science Park companies across the three key areas: Construction Safety, Construction Productivity and Sustainable Construction.

Below is a list of the HKSTP Pavilion startups on show: