Elevator Pitch Competition 2024

EXPANDING INTO ASIAHAS NEVER BEEN EASIER.

As Hong Kong’s biggest innovation ecosystem, we offer an investment opportunity of up to US$5 million and our vast channels of business opportunities to grow the most disruptive startups.

EPiC 2023 is a unique, worldwide competition for global startups to expand their footprints into Asia, with Hong Kong as your best springboard, leveraging our well proven support from our innovation ecosystem.

WHY APPLY

We are no stranger to market expansion and fundraising for startups.

We are here to enable both global and local mid-late stage startups to expand farther, accelerate faster, and make a mark in Hong Kong and beyond.

Join EPiC 2023 to get challenged and see how far you can reach.

US$ 5,000,000 Investment

The top 50 semi-finalists will be qualified for up to US$5 million investment by HKSTP Venture Fund, our corporate venture arm.

Asia-wide Recognition & Awareness

Be seen and get noticed by 1,000+ regional investors and 300+ corporate partners in our ecosystem. Make a grand entrance into China and the Asia Pacific as you expand.

US$ 210,000 Cash Prizes

Cash prizes worth a total of US$210K are up for grabs!

Champion US$60,000
FinTech Winner: US$20,000
PropTech Winner: US$20,000
Favourite Pitcher: US$10,000 & 200,000 Asia Miles
Top 10 Finalists: US$10,000 (each)

New Market Entry Support

Top 50 semi-finalists will reap the benefits of our ecosystem’s value-added services for 6 months after the competition:

Business matching services
Investment referral services
Exclusive membership of STP platform - the world’s city-wide, cross-industry virtual lab
Use of co-working space
Tap into the talent pool of HK’s major universities, of which 3 are ranked in the world’s top 50.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

Tech ventures less than 10 years old in the following categories are eligible to apply.

FinTech

Including but not limited to:

Banking and Insurance Tech
RegTech, Fraud Detection & KYC
Digital Assets
Risk Management
Payment

PropTech

Including but not limited to:

Sustainability
Smart Environment
Construction

HOW IT WORKS

Life-changing decision. Effortless market expansion. Struggling to grow? Think Asia. EPiC 2023 will be your starting point to expand your business in Asia, the world's growth engine! All you need is 15 minutes to complete the application which will change your life. Application Deadline: 20 Jan 2023, HKT 23:59 (GMT +8)
Top 50 Semi-finalists Stay ahead of the pack The top 50 semi-finalists will be announced by Mar 2023. If you have made the cut, your expansion in Asia has already started. We will share your 2-minute introductory video on the website for public voting. The contestant with the highest number of votes will be crowned the “Favourite Pitcher” of EPiC 2023.
Start in Hong Kong Scale in Asia Come to Hong Kong with our sponsored air and accommodation to compete for the title of the EPiC Champion! Hundreds of investors and corporate partners will come to witness the birth of EPiC 2023 Champion! Save the date now! EPiC 2023 Grand Finale Date: 28 Apr 2023 (Friday) Venue: Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck

Remarks: Selection of finalists and winners will be subject to evaluation of the organising committee, investor judges and corporate judges.

GRAND FINALE JUDGES

Rocky Cheng

Bank of China (Hong Kong)

Queenie Wong

BPEA EQT

Lawrence Fong

Cathay

Jason Yang

CDH Investments

Derek Chan

China Resources Enterprise

Damien Wu

ChinaChem Group

MengYang Yang

CICC Capital

Albert Cheng

Construction Industry Council

Amy Fong

FountainVest

Paul Tse

FWD Life Insurance

Herbin Koh

Gaw Capital Partners

John Wong

Hang Seng Bank

Ivan Chan

Hongkong Land

Bojan Obradovic

HSBC

Ricky Lui

Hysan Development

Shaun Xue

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Anthony Buchanan

Manulife

Michael Chan

MTR Lab

Gordon Yen

Radiant Tech Ventures / Hong Kong Business Angel Network

ELEVATOR JUDGES

Cindy Chow

Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund

Shrisankaraan S Villupuram

ARUP