HKSTP launches HK's first commercial high-performance computing service and upcoming microelectronics centre

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has unveiled groundbreaking projects at InnoPark, marking a pivotal step in Hong Kong's concerted efforts towards the exciting era of a ‘New Industrialisation’. Two of the key initiatives include Hong Kong's first commercial High-Performance Computing (HPC) service, which recently commenced operations, and the Microelectronics Centre (MEC), which is set to launch later this year. These initiatives align with the city's strategic direction to enhance its innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem and drive forward advanced manufacturing, particularly in industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and microelectronics.

High-performance computing: boosting HK's smart city aspirations
The launch of Hong Kong's first commercial HPC service represents a significant milestone in the city’s industrial evolution. This service, hosted at HKSTP's Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Tseung Kwan O InnoPark, is designed to provide the industry with powerful computing resources, acceleration tools, and access to data, supporting the national strategy for supercomputing development. As demand for data-driven technologies like AI continues to grow, the availability of such high-performance computing capabilities is expected to fuel innovations across various sectors.

At the HPC launch ceremony, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry, highlighted the importance of building a complete I&T industry chain backed by robust infrastructure. He noted that the new HPC service, combined with the upcoming AI Supercomputing Centre in Cyberport, would provide critical support for the local economy, particularly in industries requiring advanced computing power. The service is expected to facilitate significant improvements in research and development (R&D) efficiency and open up new business opportunities for over 300 AI and data technology companies currently active in Hong Kong.

Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, emphasized the organization’s commitment to advancing innofacturing through state-of-the-art infrastructure and services that support partner success. He remarked, “We are confident that both our Microelectronics Centre and High-Performance Computing services, which are at the forefront of technology, will significantly boost Hong Kong’s capacity for innovation.” He also highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration among corporate partners, investors, researchers, and tech ventures to realize the vision of new industrialisation in Hong Kong.

Collaboration and industry support
The launch of the HPC service has garnered widespread support from industry leaders and ecosystem partners, including Sensetime, NVIDIA, and HKT, among others. 

After signing up for the HPC service, PanopticAI Ltd—a startup that has developed software enabling users to measure health metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and stress index by scanning a person’s face with a mobile phone camera for just 30 seconds—expects that the HPC service will enhance the accuracy of its health data and improve the scalability of its offerings.

“Recently, with the support of HKSTP, we successfully collaborated with FWD to introduce our service to the insurance sector. In the future, we expect to establish more partnerships with key industry players, with the help of the HPC service,” said Klyde Yeung, VP of Business Development at PanopticAI Ltd.

Keif Se-To, General Manager of Pantheon Lab Limited, an experienced startup that leverages deep learning technologies to help clients visualize and synthesize digital humans, also anticipates benefits from the HPC service. As a service user of HPC, she considers the pricing reasonable, and adds, “Moreover, what matters most is the effectiveness.”

Fostering a thriving microelectronics ecosystem
In addition to the HPC service, HKSTP is set to launch the Microelectronics Centre (MEC) at Yuen Long InnoPark later this year. The MEC will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including two pilot production lines for Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC), which will provide comprehensive support for enterprises involved in microelectronics—from design and prototyping to trial production. As part of Hong Kong’s push towards new industrialisation, this facility is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering the city’s capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced technologies.

HKSTP’s efforts to advance the microelectronics industry are part of a broader vision to transform Yuen Long InnoPark into a hub for microelectronics innovation. The park currently boasts an impressive 90% utilisation rate, with over 200 companies involved in microelectronics-related activities. The MEC’s anticipated 80% occupancy rate reflects the growing demand for such infrastructure, positioning Hong Kong as a competitive player in the global microelectronics market.