HKSTP Empowers Homegrown Brands

Hong Kong is a city where history and modernity converge in extraordinary ways, and nowhere is this more vividly illustrated than in the stories of its homegrown enterprises. These brands are more than businesses — they are living narratives of Hong Kong’s unique culture and its bold leap into the future.

At the heart of their evolution lies a powerful force: innovation ecosystems like the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), which stands at the core of this dynamic environment. By offering flexible R&D spaces, facilitating cross-industry collaboration, and attracting investors who fuel growth,  HKSTP fosters a unique environment where time-honored traditions intersect with pioneering technology. This strategic support empowers companies to drive innovation across product development, manufacturing automation, and digital service delivery—a role powerfully exemplified by established brands such as Maxim’s Group and Lee Kum Kee, which have pioneered smart production lines within HKSTP’s Tai Po InnoPark. As well as Lalamove, which was nurtured at Science Park and has grown into a regional unicorn redefining the logistics industry.

Lee Kum Kee: preserving heritage through smart innovation

Lee Kum Kee may be a household name with roots dating back to 1888, but it’s their forward-thinking mindset that continues to drive global success. A key turning point came in 1932 when the company moved its headquarters to Hong Kong — a city that remains its global command center today.

“Hong Kong’s role in our global development has been irreplaceable,” says Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President - Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee Sauce. “As Asia’s international trade hub, it offers global connectivity, strong food safety regulations, and a complete industry chain — from quality control and packaging to logistics and R&D. That’s why ‘Made in Hong Kong’ continues to stand for trust and excellence.”

In 2022, Lee Kum Kee partnered with HKSTP to take its manufacturing to the next level. With support from the Innovation and Technology Commission’s New Industrialisation Funding Scheme, the company kick-started the construction of a smart production line at Tai Po InnoPark for its iconic oyster sauce.

Fully operational by the end of 2024, the facility integrates AI-powered real-time monitoring and data analytics, doubling bottling speeds, improving traceability, and boosting overall efficiency. It’s a powerful example of how HKSTP’s InnoPark initiative is driving smart manufacturing and reindustrialisation in Hong Kong.

“Our partnership with HKSTP has transformed how we approach manufacturing with Constant Entrepreneurship,” Hung notes. “It’s not just about preserving tradition—it’s about redefining it with innovation.”

Maxim’s Group: culinary heritage meets intelligent innovation

From its humble beginnings as a small Western-style restaurant in Central, Maxim’s Group has grown into a culinary powerhouse with a presence across multiple countries.

Keith Siu, Chief Operating Officer, Hong Kong and Macau operations at Maxim’s Group, shares insight into Maxim’s ethos: “Innovation is embedded in everything we do. From beloved frozen cakes and nostalgic ‘Hong Kong flavor’ desserts to harnessing AI, big data, and IoT in production, we are constantly evolving to meet modern demands.”

Maxim’s collaboration with HKSTP’s Tai Po InnoPark has been transformative. Under the framework of Industry 4.0, Maxim’s food factories at Tai Po InnoPark have introduced intelligent production lines to boost efficiency while ensuring both output and quality. The advanced automated equipment, developed through years of local expertise and close collaboration with machinery manufacturers, includes robotic liquid egg washers, automatic egg yolk feeders, steel band ovens, and robotic packing machines—key to producing Hong Kong’s iconic Hong Kong MX Mooncakes.

Maxim’s also leverages big data and technology to revolutionize their customer relations management. Their APP, Eatizen, is not only about dining offers but also incorporates features such as stamp collection, online reservations, and mobile-ordering services. This makes the dining experience more convenient and enjoyable for customers. Moreover, Maxim’s effectively manages a large volume of sales data through AI and big data analytics. This enables them to stay on top of consumer preferences and behaviors, ensuring that they are always in tune with what their customers want.

This fusion of heritage and technology forms the backbone of Maxim’s success, nurtured within Science Park’s innovation ecosystem that encourages talent and collaboration.

Lalamove: redefining logistics with Hong Kong’s spirit

Lalamove was founded in 2013, became unicorn in HKSTP’s ecosystem. What began as a humble startup in Hong Kong has since grown into a tech-driven logistics powerhouse, operating in 14 markets across Asia, Latin America and EMEA.

The journey was not without challenges. But with HKSTP’s flexible workspace and robust innovation ecosystem, Lalamove was able to rapidly develop its platform and scale operations. Beyond just office space, HKSTP actively supports local I&T companies by attracting talent, offering training and networking opportunities, and facilitating overseas exhibitions to connect with investors and global markets.

Paul Loo, Chief Operating Officer, Lalamove, reflects: “Hong Kong’s strategic location, combined with support from HKSTP’s network and investor access, empowered us to expand beyond local borders. Today, in addition to on-demand delivery service, our ride-hailing business has also successfully expanded into five major markets: Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.—with a driver partner base of around 300,000. The park’s resources accelerated product innovation and helped us forge key partnerships that drive our regional growth.”

Lalamove’s story is one of constant evolution. Its latest venture into drone deliveries through the “low-altitude economy” pilot project, enabled through a regulatory sandbox facilitated by the Hong Kong Government and trialed at HKSTP’s waterfront, reflects a future-ready mindset. This initiative addresses the complexity of urban logistics, aiming to overcome challenges like traffic congestion and urgent delivery demands with technology that seemed futuristic just a few years ago.

Lalamove’s rise epitomizes how Hong Kong nurtures startups with ambition and the technological edge to boldly carry the “Made in Hong Kong” banner into the digital age—a journey powered by HKSTP’s comprehensive support for startups, including incubation programmes, investor matching, R&D resources, and access to a vibrant innovation ecosystem that turns bold ideas into scalable businesses.

Building HK’s innovation ecosystem: the strategic role of HKSTP and San Tin Technopole

At the core of Hong Kong’s push toward global innovation leadership and new quality productive forces is a bold vision: to transform the city into a world-class hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, deeptech development and embark on a mission to advance China’s AI Plus vision.

This vision is gaining momentum with the rise of the San Tin Technopole—a newly emerging high-tech cluster designed to significantly expand Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) capacity.

Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu, Chairman of HKSTP, is confident in Hong Kong’s evolution into a global I&T powerhouse, playing a pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of AI, not only by driving the country’s “AI Plus” vision to transform industries, but also helping to elevate AI on the world stage. “HKSTP will develop 20 hectares of new I&T land in the upcoming San Tin Technopole, advancing our AI infrastructure and deeptech capabilities,” says Chai. “By combining global talent with world-class resources, Hong Kong is becoming a unique East-meets-West platform for innovation and AI-driven growth.”

As a key driver of this transformation, the Technopole will strengthen advanced I&T and provide a cutting-edge platform for both startups and established companies to scale and compete globally.