HKSTP and China Resources Group cultivate global talents for Hong Kong's startup ecosystem

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and China Resources Group are driving global talent attraction through their ‘Beyond Dreams’ initiative. The programme fosters both internship opportunities and entrepreneurial development, empowering the next generation of innovators.

Building bridges across markets

The five-year collaboration has placed interns across 88 HKSTP startups in artificial intelligence, robotics, biomedicine, smart city and fintech sectors this year, with participation growing steadily each year.

Six startup teams have gained mainland exposure through the China Booster sub-programme, while the Global Talent Ignite initiative provides funding to attract overseas Hong Kong students and graduates.

HKSTP Chief Executive Officer Albert Wong thanked China Resources for their support and encouraged interns to contribute and form friendships during their time with HKSTP companies.

“Don’t settle for anything less; make an impact and make friends,”  he said during an event connecting global interns “A Globe Party” held in Science Park on July 10.

HKSTP Chief Talent Officer Fanny Wong emphasized how the programme leverages Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “One Country, Two Systems” to connect startups with both mainland and global markets.

“Our diverse intern pool from Mainland China, the U.S., U.K., Australia and beyond brings cross-cultural perspectives that enhance product innovation and market strategies,” she said.

The programme combines hands-on work experience with specialized training and Greater Bay Area exposure, creating a pipeline for talent retention.

“When students engage with Hong Kong’s innovation landscape early,  they’re more likely to return after graduation,” she said.
She also expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s role as an innovation hub, citing its legal framework, intellectual property protections and unique position as a gateway between China and global markets.

Startups gain strategic advantages

At E3A Healthcare, a women’s health company that relocated from Singapore to HKSTP in 2021, co-founder Harry Chen praised the programme for providing access to top university talent.

The platform has proven particularly valuable for early-stage companies seeking to navigate both Asian and Western markets.
The programme’s impact shines at PONG Product Design, where Stanford intern Mai Mahmoud Mostafa contributed technical expertise to a coffee-brewing app.

Co-founder Louise Loong also credited Mai for bringing Western market insights.
MangDang Technology CEO Afreez Gan praised interns like Oxford robotics engineer Yang Shuhan for bringing global perspectives to the company’s expansion plans.

Student perspectives: from theory to practice

This sentiment was echoed by UC Berkeley bioengineering student Bosco Yeung, who returned for his second HKSTP internship to help local companies bridge cultural and regulatory gaps.

His peer Josh Wong, an economics student at Berkeley, joined through Yeung’s recommendation, while University of Hong Kong finance student Mao Zhilin values the hands-on experience unavailable in corporate internships.

PONG’s intern Mai noted Hong Kong’s supportive environment compared to more competitive ecosystems, prompting her to consider launching her own venture there after graduation.

Yang Shuhan was drawn by Hong Kong’s growing reputation as an innovation hub under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, which combines international best practices with unique access to mainland opportunities.