HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2025 Open for Applications
Featuring AI Workshops to Foster a Vibrant I&T Ecosystem in Hong Kong
“HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2025”, jointly organized by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group, is now open for applications. Marking its 15th anniversary, this year’s competition offers a prize pool of over HK$1 million to empower winning teams in establishing or scaling their ventures. New additions include AI Workshops, which will feature expert-led sessions on machine learning, data analysis, and AI integration, equipping participants with cutting-edge skills to drive social innovation while fostering a vibrant innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem in Hong Kong.
Unwavering support from Sino Group
Prof. Carrie LING, Director of the HKUST Entrepreneurship Center, remarked, “For the past 15 years, this Competition has served as a launchpad for over 9,000 startups, including renowned industry leaders like DJI. Thanks to the steadfast support of Sino Group, we are thrilled to expand the scope of the competition annually. Building on the successful introduction of the Sustainability Impact Award and International Student Track in previous years, we are now enhancing our program by incorporating AI elements and championing female entrepreneurship through tailored 1-on-1 coaching for female participants. I look forward to this year’s exceptional entries, which I believe will be poised to drive meaningful economic and social transformation for the betterment of society.”
Sustainability & Internationalization
Sino Group has been the title sponsor of the “One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition” for the eighth consecutive year and remains committed to nurturing young, innovative entrepreneurial talent. This year’s competition continues to emphasize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, with a heightened focus on scalable solutions for sustainable development. The winning project will be showcased at Sino Inno Lab and The Spark, located in One North in the Northern Metropolis, offering the public an opportunity to engage with innovative ideas. The International Student Track returns with immersive tours of Hong Kong’s innovation hubs, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and innovative thinking among international participants, enriching their experiences during their stay in Hong Kong.
Regional and Global Opportunities
Shortlisted participants will compete for three grand awards—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—on September 17 at the HKUST Clear Water Bay campus. Hong Kong winners will advance to the finals later in 2025, competing against top teams from Beijing, Foshan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
The application is now open until Jun 30, 2025. For more details, please visit https://ec.hkust.edu.hk/one-million/hk/2025.
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university that excels in driving innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, 19th Worldwide and No.1 in Hong Kong in Times Higher Education’s impact Rankings. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” holding the 17th place, maintaining its position as first in Hong Kong. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the latest Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,800 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A)
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