Sino Group launches sandbox for startups

Sino Group has opened a new sandbox and exchange platform for local, mainland and international startups in the Northern Metropolis.

The Sino Inno Lab, located at a Grade A office and retail complex in Yuen Long, adds to the original one in Kwun Tong that has been running since 2018.

The lab includes The Spark Platform for innovators to soft-land their solutions and hold events.

Associate director for innovation Andrew Young Meng-cheung said that some projects of note are PropTech, catering for the development of the Northern Metropolis such as a virtual working platform for construction sites, ArtTech, in which a social enterprise is given space to train young people in animation, and TourismTech.

Over the past six years, the Kwun Tong lab has provided support for more than 100 technology solutions and welcomed 1,200 organizations for PropTech.

Some of them even showcased their innovations during the launch yesterday.

Young explained the site was selected as it can facilitate firms to explore mainland, Hong Kong and overseas markets.

For instance, Shenzhen-based Liyu Semiconductor uses a unique coating on chips and is interested in setting up a presence in Hong Kong.

It has also invented a dual air disinfection and lighting system that can be used in hospitals.

The lab has helped firms expand overseas. Lydia Leung, chief executive of Belun Technology, said Sino allowed her to first introduce sleeping health solutions to its staff as a corporate program, which was then applied to senior centers. With Sino's help, the business was brought to Singapore and Malaysia.

Israel-based Verobotics, which offers solutions for building exteriors and has been doing well in the mainland, wants to use the lab to expand in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Other successful Hong Kong-nurtured firms include Ampd, which makes smart batteries for construction, and EcoBricks.