Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and AWS launch Joint Innovation Center

Pictured from left to right at launch ceremony of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) Joint Innovation Center (JIC): Larry Hu, AWS head of startup business development; Chester Hsieh, AWS head of strategic programs in Hong Kong and Taiwan; Robert Wang, AWS managing director of Hong Kong and Taiwan; Albert Wong, HKSTP CEO; Derek Chim, HKSTP head of incubation and acceleration; and Winky Lau, HKSTP team lead for co-development.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the establishment of the first AWS Joint Innovation Center (JIC) in Hong Kong at last fall’s AWS Startup Day. AWS JIC is a collaborative innovation program designed to help enterprises and institutions combine resources, incubate promising startups, and nurture digital talent that further strengthens Hong Kong’s technology ecosystem.

HKSTP is a statutory body set up in 2001 with the mission of propelling success for local and global tech pioneers. HKSTP has established a thriving innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem that has supported more than 10 unicorns and is Hong Kong’s leading research and development hub with more than 13,000 research professionals and 1,700-plus companies focused on healthcare technology (healthtech), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, financial technology (fintech), and smart city technologies.

The first JIC in Hong Kong will focus on three pillars to support multifaceted innovation: talent development, startup incubation, and industry digitalization. Through the JIC, AWS and HKSTP will jointly select and invest resources to incubate startups, focusing on cutting-edge technology areas pertinent to Hong Kong. AWS and HKSTP aim to incubate 100 startups annually to foster product development, acceleration, go-to-market, and overseas expansion. The first cohort of the co-incubation program focuses on recruiting high-potential AI companies, and providing up to HK$1.29 million in funding from HKSTP. Additionally, the JIC is committed to connecting local tech ventures with the regional and global startup community of AWS, creating more opportunities for startup development and overseas market expansion.

Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “I am honored to witness the establishment of Hong Kong’s first AWS JIC. It represents an integration of AWS global cloud computing leadership with over 20 years of HKSTP’s experience incubating startups. Our shared mission is to incubate high-potential tech ventures, provide them with advanced technologies, and accelerate their path to market success.”

On top of startup nurturing, the JIC will drive industry digitalization of innovative solutions by connecting enterprise customers with high-potential tech ventures. Furthermore, HKSTP will integrate AWS AI courses and AWS DeepRacer into its learning infrastructure. This effort will drive awareness of the latest technological developments, enhance talent development, and stimulate innovation, thereby providing a robust talent foundation for innovation development.

Robert Wang, managing director of AWS Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “We are privileged to strengthen our collaboration with HKSTP, bringing the AWS JIC to Hong Kong, thereby further bolstering startup growth and evolution. The establishment of this JIC symbolizes the dynamic progression and the growing demand of Hong Kong’s startup landscape. We remain committed to providing top-notch services to startups, acting as a sturdy bridge between institutions and entrepreneurs, as well as between Hong Kong startups and international markets. Our aim is to perpetually foster the advancement of I&T in Hong Kong.”

The AWS–HKSTP JIC joins a global network of AWS Cloud Innovation Centers around the world, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, India, South Korea, and the United States. Learn more about the AWS Cloud Innovation Center program.