Global Acceleration Academy (GAA)

What is Global Acceleration Academy (GAA)?

Global Acceleration Academy (GAA) is a free-of-charge open innovation platform that takes corporate innovation with deep-tech solutions from global tech ventures to the world. Consisting of Soft-landing Programs, Solution Matching Days and Co-creation Accelerators, GAA is the ideal launchpad leveraging Hong Kong/the Greater Bay Area’s regional business hub status for success in the Asian market. Acquire the resources and skills you need to flourish in the region. Connect to a vast network of industry leaders to bring your innovations to the Asian marketplace.

The programme recognizes corporate needs and complexity, kicking off with a discovery stage to identify areas of innovation growth and business goals. For tech ventures, scale-ups and start-ups, you’ll be thrusted into training, consulting, and immersion with corporate mentorship, which will ultimately prepare you for a Demo Day with investors and corporate partners. Excursion to the Greater Bay Area will also be available in selective programmes.

Are you ready to take on the challenges facing Asia? Join us to develop innovations that will have a regional impact today.

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What will GAA give you?

For Corporate Partners - Industry-focused Open Corporate Innovation

• Partner with a regional leader in corporate innovation focused on developing ecosystem solutions along 8 industry verticals – Travel & Hospitality, Logistics & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Financial Services & Insurance, Construction & Real Estate, Consumer & Retail, Education, or Government.
• Join a leading group of world-class multinationals, such as Cathay Pacific, HSBC, Moët Hennessy and others, who have experienced up to 80% proof-of-concept follow-through rate with tech solutions co-creations.
• Depending on your corporation innovation ambitions – partner with us in a Global Matching Event consisting of an intensive 13-week co-creation POC accelerator with dedicated tech ventures.  

 For Tech Ventures – Scale-ups and Start-ups from Around the World

Launchpad for your Asia business ambitions

• Connect with significant business opportunities from leading multinational corporations with sizeable buying power.
• Lean on HKSTP’s nearly 20 years of tech venture development experience and Hong Kong as a regional business hub to accelerate your regional business.
• Attend seminars and industry sharing sessions on fundraising, business model development, channel management and content marketing to support every aspect of your business.
• Connect with over 400 startups on campus as well as local and overseas tech ventures in our network to spark and exchange ideas.

Technology Validation

• Work with our tech venture ecosystem partners to bring your research and innovations from lab to market.
• Validate your innovations with actual target users.
• Secure first-hand, exclusive access to potential projects and real-life applications for your technologies.

Professional Services Access

• Get professional advice on intellectual property, taxation, company structure and other legal questions you might have during the acceleration process.

Is GAA right for me?

Our focus is nurturing high-potential tech ventures that have the ability to make a significant impact on Asia. You should apply for GAA if you are:

• A tech venture in one of eight industry verticals – Travel & Hospitality, Logistics & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Financial Services & Insurance, Construction & Real Estate, Consumer & Retail, Education, or Government.
• Focused on localizing for the Asian market and beyond.

How do I apply for GAA?

• Apply to a vertical specific programme through the openings below.
• Applications will be selected by HKSTP and partners, based on innovation, technology, market potential, team capability and industry synergy. 
• No fees or equity are required.

Explore open programmes

• BFSI Accelerator: Unlocking the future for Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) industries with 15+ corporates. Startups and tech ventures with market-proven fintech solutions in fields such as Blockchain, AI & Robotics, Cybersecurity and IoT can enroll by 26 Mar 2021.
• Seamless Journey Accelerator: If you have what it takes to advance innovation in the consumer industry with 10+ retail and food & beverage corporates, join the GAA Seamless Journey Accelerator by 26 Mar 2021.
• Sprinter 2 Manufacturing Accelerator: Co-create, and conduct proof-of-concept (POC) with 10+ manufacturing corporates (with major business in consumer electronics, food, health and textile). Enroll by 19 Mar 2021.
• Global Matching 2021: Global Matching 2021 is the third biannual business and investment matching event to be held during 26 May and 2 Jun 2021, co-hosted by Global Acceleration Academy (GAA) and HKSTP Investment Platform. It positions as the launchpad for corporate buyers and regional investors to match potential startups and technology ventures worldwide for sourcing the best fit market-proven solutions and valuable portfolios. Secure your spot by 16 Apr 2021.

Explore our research

We’ve launched the ‘Spotlight’ and 'Innovation Roundtable' market insight report to identify opportunities across our industry verticals. See what industry players and stakeholders have to say to shape your future technological innovations.

• Read our Spotlight Travel report
• Read our Innovation Roundtable report - Forces shaping the future of consumer markets

Learn more about GAA