Hong Kong Events Strengthen Position as IP and Innovation Hub with Record Participation

The 15th Business of IP Asia Forum and 17th Entrepreneur Day concluded on December 5, 2025, after bringing together over 15,300 total participants across both events held concurrently from December 4-5. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with government support, these flagship events solidified Hong Kong's position as a regional intellectual property trading center and international innovation hub through more than 350 business matching sessions that connected enterprises with investors, markets, and partners.

With global intangible assets valued at approximately USD 80 trillion, the BIP Asia Forum emphasized how intellectual property serves as collateral for business financing. Lewis Lee, Founder & CEO of Moat Metrics, noted during the IP Valuation and Financing session that advances in artificial intelligence and data have accelerated systematic IP valuation frameworks. The forum's plenary session "Propelling Sustainability with IP" examined how enterprises can leverage intellectual property to strengthen competitive advantages amid global green transitions. Krishna Singhania, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel of Maersk, emphasized moving beyond traditional IP ownership models to meet climate targets through collaborative approaches.

A dedicated "IP Go-Global Business Matching Session" addressed growing demand from Mainland companies seeking overseas expansion, with local professional service providers offering consultations on registration strategies and patent claims. Zoe Fang, CEO of Sichuan HangWan Cultural Communication Co. Ltd, stated her company would leverage Hong Kong's international legal services to address cross-border IP issues as part of national expansion strategies. Middle Eastern participant Mohamed Orikat, Founder and CEO of Voithy Tech Limited, described Hong Kong as a crucial bridge to Chinese Mainland and APEC markets after receiving professional advice on patent registration and company establishment.

Entrepreneur Day, themed "Where Start-up Dreams Take Flight," showcased over 360 startups across artificial intelligence, health technology, cybersecurity, and sustainability sectors. Dr. Ammar Mohammed Al Ojaili, Vice President of R&D and Innovation at OQ, noted that events like Entrepreneur Day bring together startups, universities, and industry players, making it easier to discover innovative technologies. The session "T-Chat: From Labs to Battlefield: Navigating Deep Tech Commercialisation and Global Scale" explored how deep tech innovators can leverage capital and international networks, with YeYe Xiao, Innovation Consulting Manager & Central Asia Lead at Hello Tomorrow, praising the event's ability to gather global stakeholders and high-quality startups.

Martin Chu, CEO & Co-founder of i2COOL Limited, highlighted during the GBA Tripartite Roundtable that cross-border collaborations facilitated by Entrepreneur Day help startups understand market needs and refine technologies, particularly for innovations developed in Chinese Mainland. The HKTDC signed memoranda of understanding with Junior Chamber International Hong Kong and France-based Hello Tomorrow to deepen collaboration supporting local small and medium enterprises, young entrepreneurs, and startups in accessing international markets.

The "Start-up Express International" program continued attracting global founders exploring Hong Kong as a base for expansion into Asia and the Greater Bay Area. During "Meet the Global Start-ups" sessions, participants discussed technology development, intellectual property strategies, and market expansion with local investors and supporting organizations, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a testing ground for business models before entering broader markets. Event replays and additional information are available through the BIP Asia Forum website, E-Day website, and Start-up Express International portal.