The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) hosted the “Inno Impact: Innovative Proposals” award ceremony and exhibition this afternoon (28th). The winning teams will implement their creative solutions to collaboratively build a better future for Hong Kong. The five winning teams’ businesses include upcycling old clothes, natural household cleaning products, stroke rehabilitation medical robots, renewable energy systems, and 3D virtual musicians. Each team will receive HKD 200,000 in startup funding and two years of entrepreneurial support, including one year of free desk rental, professional mentorship, networking opportunities, and project promotion.

During his speech, HKFYG Executive Director Ho Wing-cheong remarked that, unlike typical entrepreneurship competitions, this program emphasizes the concrete value, benefits, and returns that the solutions can bring to society or specific groups. He hopes to continue fostering the spirit of youth contributing to Hong Kong. He mentioned that over 200 young people submitted 130 proposals, with nearly 80% related to sustainable development and cultural and creative industries, indicating that the new generation places great importance on environmental conservation, green living, and cultural creativity.

In his speech, Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry Sun Dong stated that innovation and technology are the main drivers of high-quality economic and social development and represent a new direction for Hong Kong’s future development. To seize the significant opportunities presented by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, the government announced the Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint last December, setting a clear path for Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development over the next 5 to 10 years.

He noted that several measures in the new budget align with the four major directions proposed by the blueprint, reflecting the high importance placed on the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. Supporting startups is an essential part of enhancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem. He suggested that young people interested in entrepreneurship should not only focus on their fields but also pay attention to government policies related to innovation and technology and support for enterprises, as well as understand the latest trends in mainland and overseas markets.

One of the winning teams, Fleming MedLab, focuses on stroke rehabilitation medical robots. Their wearable robots help stroke survivors walk again and attempt to restore their brain functions. Through machine learning algorithms, they can help therapists and patients improve rehabilitation outcomes. The goal is to help over 40,000 stroke patients rebuild neural pathways and regain mobility daily.

The company hopes to conduct clinical trials in the short term and collaborate with various rehabilitation institutions, social welfare organizations, and private clinics to quickly launch in the Hong Kong market and gather user feedback. They are also actively preparing to expand into overseas markets, particularly in marketing and clinical trials, in collaboration with foreign institutions to provide a better rehabilitation environment for therapists and patients.

Reporter: Li Yuting