The University of Hong Kong has launched two major initiatives to enhance the city's technology startup landscape during its Super Angel Symposium 2026. In collaboration with CAS Star Technology Venture Capital, the university unveiled the HKU Venture Mentoring Service and the first closing of a new venture fund. These programs aim to strengthen the connection between academia and industry, driving entrepreneurship and technological advancement across the region.
Fostering Innovation Through Mentorship
The newly established HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) is designed to connect students, researchers, and alumni with experienced industry leaders. These mentors will provide practical, real-world guidance to help transform innovative ideas into successful and impactful commercial ventures. Significantly, the VMS is the first official sister technology startup mentor program in Hong Kong to be recognized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A New Venture Fund for Deep Technology
A key component of the announcement was the first close of the FutureTech Stars-HKU Venture Limited Partnership Fund, with a total size of HK$300 million. Major contributors include the HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund, Bank of China Group Investment, and Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd Co. The fund will leverage CAS Star’s expertise in technology transfer to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies from Hong Kong.
Stephanie Ma Kwai-yee, HKU's Vice-President for Research, emphasized that these initiatives are building strong bridges between academic research and industrial application. She stated that the combination of funding, mentorship, and global networks will help deep technology ventures thrive. Looking ahead, the university plans to launch several vertical sector incubations with partners to offer more specialized support for emerging innovations.
Government Support and Ecosystem Growth
Undersecretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Lillian Cheong Man-lei, highlighted the government's commitment to developing Hong Kong into an international I&T center. She noted that national five-year plans provide clear support for this vision, creating an era of boundless opportunities for local startups. These policy initiatives are designed to help Hong Kong's entrepreneurial talent shine brighter than ever before on the global stage.
Cheong further noted that government investment, such as the $1.2 billion allocated to InnoHK research clusters, has already yielded significant results. This funding has helped establish 30 research and development centers, attracting approximately 3,000 global I&T professionals to the city. Hong Kong's startup ecosystem has grown substantially, reaching a record high of over 5,200 startups and producing 20 unicorn companies.
Synergies Between Hong Kong and the Mainland
Mi Lei, Founding Partner of CAS Star, spoke on the importance of collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland's technology sectors. He explained that Hong Kong’s strengths in original innovation and international capital access complement the mainland's advantages in market size and manufacturing. This synergy can reduce overall innovation costs and create a complete ecosystem from research to global market expansion.
CAS Star, a mainland Chinese venture capital firm established in 2013, brings significant experience to the partnership. The firm specializes in hard technology investments and has successfully invested in and incubated over 580 core technological enterprises. Its portfolio includes prominent companies such as the AI modeling firm Zhipu AI, underscoring its expertise in nurturing high-growth tech ventures.
The launch of the HKU Venture Mentoring Service and the FutureTech Stars fund represents a pivotal moment for Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem. These strategic initiatives provide the critical infrastructure of mentorship, capital, and industry connections needed to translate academic research into commercial success. By fostering a collaborative environment, Hong Kong is solidifying its role as a dynamic and globally competitive hub for deep technology.