Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is looking to explore new markets in Europe and study the feasibility of attracting international innovation and technology exhibitions to Hong Kong, HKSTP chief marketing officer Hilda Chan said.

HKSTP will lead a delegation of 18 homegrown tech companies to Viva Technology 2025, Europe’s biggest annual startup and tech event, which will be held in Paris from June 11 to 14.

Chan, who is heading the delegation, said Paris’s growing innovation momentum aligns well with Hong Kong’s ecosystem.

"Hong Kong is home to more than 1,600 European companies, the largest foreign business community in the city, which shows that our systems and living environment are well-suited for Europeans," Chan said.

She also revealed that HKSTP is studying ways to bring major international tech exhibitions to Hong Kong, with the Paris visit serving as a learning opportunity.

Chan acknowledged that geopolitical challenges persist but emphasized HKSTP’s role in helping startups navigate complex environments.

Among the participating companies is Robocore Technology, which debuted its temi smart robot in 2018.

The robot is now used in hospitals, elderly care homes, hotels, and shopping malls across Hong Kong.

Roy Lim Long-hei, Robocore’s CEO, said there are around 2,000 temi units in Hong Kong and 50 four- or five-star hotels globally, including US retail giant Walmart.

Users can download thousands of applications to customize the robot for different services.

Lim cited the Sino-US trade war as a key reason for targeting European markets as the tariffs pushed the price of robots to an “unaffordable” level for US customers.

The company hopes to secure a French distributor to expand into the Middle East and North Africa.

Another exhibitor, PointFit, has developed a sweat sensor that detects muscle fatigue.

Its ultra-thin antibacterial nano-film, attached to the arm, works with a mobile app to monitor fatigue and stress levels, helping athletes avoid overtraining and reducing invasive blood tests.

CEO Kenny Oktavius said PointFit’s primary market is currently Asia, but the company plans to expand into Europe.

At VivaTech, it will sign a memorandum of understanding with Kinomap, an interactive indoor training app, allowing users to track their physical condition during workouts.

PointFit also aims to engage with professional sports teams and hopes its technology will be adopted in global marathons by 2027.

(Ayra Wang)

HKSTP leads 18 startups to VivaTech 2025 in Paris amid trade shifts