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The start-up hub is the first step of a larger university collaboration model aimed at strengthening academia-industry alliances, and fostering commercialisation opportunities of start-ups

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) today (April 8) announced the official opening of HKSTP-HKU iAXON (iAXON), the HKSTP Western District Hub aimed at aiding and nurturing deep technology start-ups and spin-offs from HKU.

iAXON is a 4,000 square feet facility located at Pacific Plaza, 410 Des Voeux Road West, in the Western District, adjacent to the HKU campus. The facility hosts deep technology start-ups founded by HKU students, faculty members, staff and alumni that are currently doing academic research at the University and planning to translate the knowledge into commercialised research and development (R&D) results.

HKU deep technology start-ups, established on many years of research excellence at the University and under intellectual property rights protection, are playing an increasingly important role in generating local and global impact. Currently, most of HKU’s deep technology start-ups are based at Science Park in Shatin.

This collaboration allows HKSTP to extend its footprint beyond its current premises as well as its comprehensive support to the admitted start-ups. For the start-ups, it will provide them with an office space close to campus and the ability to leverage university’s resources such as talents, professional knowledge as well as R&D capabilities, to facilitate better cross-discipline knowledge sharing and tap into HKSTP’s incubation support services. The start-ups will also have access to the Hong Kong government’s various talent schemes.

This new university collaboration model is part of HKSTP’s strategy to extend its footprint beyond its premises, first announced in November last year. HKU is the first university partner of this programme, and more universities are expected to join this initiative in the near future.

Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “Our universities form the bedrock of Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities where many spin-offs are often founded. These start-ups, given the right support and guidance, have the potential to be commercially successful companies. HKSTP has always been exploring ways to extend our support and reach for start-ups beyond our campus in Shatin. We are excited to collaborate with HKU to make our first step forward in our university collaboration model, and we hope many more will join us and create an environment where our start-ups can succeed.”

Dr Yiwu He, Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Advisor to the President of HKU, said, “We are grateful that HKSTP is keen to partner with HKU to create an innovative environment for deep technology start-ups. Commercialisation of first-class research at HKU will not only create a financial return that will provide more resources for better research, it will also support the development of career opportunities for young people and new high-tech industries, which will increase the diversity of Hong Kong’s economy. HKU will continue to work with its partners to expand the scope of such translational efforts.”

There are currently four HKSTP incubatees who have confirmed their admission to iAXON: Brain Investing Limited High Performance Solutions Limited; Interlitho Technology Limited and Physight Limited.

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Comprising Science Park, InnoCentre and Industrial Estates, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is a statutory body dedicated to building a vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem to connect stakeholders, nurture technology talents, facilitate collaboration, and catalyse innovations to deliver social and economic benefits to Hong Kong and the region.

Established in May 2001, HKSTP has been driving the development of Hong Kong into a regional hub for innovation and growth in several focused clusters including Electronics, Information & Communications Technology, Green Technology, Biomedical Technology, Materials and Precision Engineering. We enable science and technology companies to nurture ideas, innovate and grow, supported by our R&D facilities, infrastructure, and market-led laboratories and technical centres with professional support services. We also offer value added services and comprehensive incubation programmes for technology start-ups to accelerate their growth.

Technology businesses benefit from our specialised services and infrastructure at Science Park for applied research and product development; enterprises can find creative design support at InnoCentre; while skill-intensive businesses are served by our three industrial estates at Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

About the University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the first and oldest institution of higher learning in Hong Kong, and was founded in 1911, incorporating the Hong Kong College of Medicine (est. 1887). For over a century, the University has dedicated itself to creating knowledge, providing education, and serving society. It has grown with Hong Kong and generations of its graduates have helped shape the city from which the University takes its name.

Today, HKU has an established worldwide reputation for being a research-led comprehensive University with ten Faculties and a strong commitment to intellectual freedom, liberty and diversity. HKU strives to attract and nurture outstanding scholars through excellence and innovation in its teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange activities.

Regarded as Asia’s Global University, HKU is a diverse community with around 30,000 students including over 10,000 students from across 100 countries, and 60% of its academic staff are international faculty. HKU’s research areas and themes reflect a broad range of issues and bring together experts from diverse disciplines. The University has academic partnerships with over 360 universities and research institutes around the world. The University has 114 professors ranking in the top 1% scientists globally and conducts cutting-edge work in many fields. Through these endeavours, the University will continue to contribute to the development of leaders and to the advancement of society locally, regionally and internationally.

Media Contact
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Kusy Lam
Tel: 2629 7009
Email: kusy.lam@hkstp.org

The University of Hong Kong
Melanie Wan
Tel: 2859 2600
Email: melwkwan@hku.hk