Hong Kong’s pull as a global beacon for startups is stronger than ever. As the city doubles down on its ambition to become a global innovation powerhouse, all eyes now turn to the finals of EPIC 2025 taking place this November.
Organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), EPIC 2025, presented by Cathay and HSBC, is an annual flagship pitching event that has evolved into one of Asia’s most prominent innovation platforms, where global startups showcase their latest solutions across digital health tech, fintech, and greentech, turning entrepreneurial vision into investable opportunities.
The ninth edition has already scaled new heights, drawing close to 1,200 entries from over 70 economies across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and of course, Asia — the first time submissions have surpassed the 1,000 mark. August saw the top 100 semifinalists secure their places in the finals, with a record 85 percent from outside Hong Kong, making EPIC 2025 its most globally diverse edition yet.
The momentum resonates beyond the global participants. Hong Kong’s openness to startups worldwide is reflected by its vibrant business community’s readiness to nurture bold ideas into transformative industries. “Cathay’s sponsorship of EPIC underscores our dedication to cultivating a dynamic innovation ecosystem across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area,” says Lawrence Fong, Director Digital and IT at Cathay. “It also reinforces our ambition to lead in digital transformation and drive meaningful progress in the region.”
To be sure, innovation is no longer an option, but a foundation for Cathay’s long-term transformation. Fong underscores the critical role technology plays in fleshing out Cathay’s vision to become one of the world’s greatest service brands. Delivering on this ambition requires bold, forward-looking investment. To elevate its customer experience and strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status, Cathay has committed well over HK$100 billion ($12.9 billion) in investments to support its fleet expansion, cabin and lounge upgrades, and digital innovation.
Back in March, Cathay launched Cathay Technologies to bring its in-house digital solutions that enhance user experience, safety, and sustainability to the wider aviation industry. A case in point is its Electronic Flight Folder, which has revolutionized how pilots access and manage flight information, leading to faster responses and significant savings through workflow optimization. The new subsidiary has since partnered with HKSTP to introduce the Co-Acceleration Programme Fund, which not only complements the establishment’s mission of driving digital transformation, but also rallies up allied industries to truly commit to technological advancements in the local tech landscape.
The tech-driven move naturally flows into initiatives like EPIC. Cathay is ready to seek out cutting-edge technologies and ideas that align with its strategic vision and create real value for its customers and businesses. Fong highlights that “innovation thrives through collaboration, and we’re ready to engage with standout innovators, and explore partnerships and pilot projects”.
What sets a potential collaboration apart, Fong points out, lies in its ability to complement an organization’s business priorities and demonstrate innovation that is both mature and scalable. “We would also consider the potential impact of a solution, its feasibility within our operational context. When these elements come together, a startup pitch doesn’t just impress, it resonates,” he reckons.
In the recent report of Economic Freedom of the World, the Fraser Institute has once again ranked Hong Kong the freest economy, where the free port sees Cathay stand among a constellation of global financial and corporate partners, collectively managing nearly $100 billion in assets and operating across Asia, Europe and North America. With their backing, EPIC 2025 offers an unprecedented $105 million targeted investment funding pool, $240,000 in cash prizes, and a robust platform for mid-to-late-stage startups to step onto the international stage.
As the journey reaches new heights, EPIC Week will take the top 100 semifinalists for a high-stakes final sprint. Throughout the week, they will showcase innovative solutions to potential investors and decision-makers during Tech Spotlight, and get a glimpse into the vast opportunities across the region through the Greater Bay Area Exploration guided tour. The journey culminates on Nov 7 with the Grand Finale, which will take place at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Hong Kong’s former international airport, refurbished to be a runway for an expedition in tech.
Cathay has a track record of joining forces with startups to co-create solutions to address today’s challenges and push the boundaries of travel innovation. A prime example is its collaboration with Pecutus Technologies, a participant in the HKSTP Smart Airways Accelerator Program. Pecutus developed a smart currency exchange solution tailored for airline crew and travelers — one that has proved its worth during the pandemic, a time of immense disruption in aviation. The solution earned an impressive satisfaction rate from Cathay’s crew and employees, setting the stage for future digital initiatives. As Fong puts it, “It’s a testament to how co-creation with startups can unlock long-term strategic value.”
Cathay also explored operational innovation through a Proof of Concept (PoC) with a startup to pilot an AI-powered lounge occupancy optimizer, tracking usage in real time to help lounge guests make informed decisions and elevate their overall experience. The data insights also support future planning and resource optimization. After a successful trial in airport lounges, Cathay is now looking to scale the solution to enhance service delivery.
As EPIC 2025 finalists gear up for the spotlight, Hilda Chan, Chief Marketing Officer at HKSTP, stresses that a deep understanding of the Hong Kong market and its strategic priorities is a good place to start. The city offers a dynamic and opportunity-rich ecosystem, and EPIC serves as a gateway to that journey.
“Hong Kong is actively cultivating a vibrant I&T ecosystem, welcoming startups that bring bold ideas, scalable solutions, and diverse talent,” Chan notes. As the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released its recent Global Innovation Index (GII) report with Hong Kong ranking first in the “Shen-zhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou” cluster, for those looking to make an impact, EPIC Week offers a taste of the potential in the region, aligning startup solutions with local business needs, and demonstrating how innovation can scale globally.
“EPIC is like a runway, bringing startups from around the world to Hong Kong and vice versa. It’s not just a stage for pitching ideas, it’s a launchpad for innovation, collaboration and long-term growth to take off,” Chan adds.
