HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 Grand Final Set for Next Month

Jointly organized by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group, the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 (OMC) will hold its Grand Final on 12 October. This year’s competition attracted a record 390 teams from 24 countries and regions, including students from leading institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the National University of Singapore. 15 finalist teams will compete for prizes worth more than HK$1 million.

To provide greater support for participating teams, this year’s competition features a series of new initiatives, including pitch training, artificial intelligence (AI) workshops, investor matching sessions, and mentorship opportunities, helping young entrepreneurs strengthen their business and presentation skills while exploring pathways to commercialization and real-world application.

International student teams came from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and South Africa. Reflecting global innovation and technology trends, the competition has introduced three new awards this year: the Transformative AI Award, NextGen Biotech Award, and Societal Influential Award—while continuing to present the Sustainability Impact Award. Together, these awards encourage participants to harness technology and innovation to address real-world challenges and create positive societal impact.

Following multiple rounds of rigorous assessment, 15 outstanding teams from local and overseas institutions have advanced to the Grand Final. Their innovative solutions span a wide range of fields, including health technology, generative AI, smart buildings, and green energy management. The finalists will present their solutions to a judging panel comprising venture capital investors, industry leaders, and academic experts at the Grand Final, where they will compete for a range of awards and prizes.

Prof. Tim CHENG Kwang-Ting, Vice-President for Research and Development at HKUST, said, “As the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition enters its 16th year, we have witnessed many participating teams evolve from start-ups founded on the HKUST Clear Water Bay campus into successful I&T enterprises, including DJI and Yunzhou-Tech. Numerous projects have also secured support from the Government's RAISe+ Scheme and venture capital investors, successfully translating research outcomes into real-world applications. These success stories demonstrate that entrepreneurship competitions are far more than contests. They serve as important platforms for aspiring entrepreneurs to connect with investors, gain insights into market needs, validate their ideas, and acquire practical entrepreneurial experience.” 

“This year, we have further strengthened the competition through a range of training, mentorship, and networking initiatives, enabling participants from around the world to experience HKUST's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem as we celebrate the University's 35th anniversary. We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Sino Group and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to nurture the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, empowering them to transform promising ideas into impactful ventures. Together, we will help drive innovation and contribute to the development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as leading international innovation and technology hubs,” added Prof. Cheng.

Mr. David NG, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sino Group, said, “Sino Group is committed to nurturing young talent and advancing innovation and technology (I&T) in Hong Kong. We are honored to have partnered with HKUST over the years in organizing the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition, which provides aspiring entrepreneurs with opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from one another and bring their innovations to life. Both Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan and the latest Policy Address highlight the importance of innovation, technology and talent development. We believe that stronger collaboration among industry, academia and the research sector, together with cross-sector partnerships, can help accelerate the translation of ideas into practical applications while fostering the next generation of innovators. This year, we will launch the InnoBay 1M PLUS Program to further strengthen support for start-ups and help promising innovations move closer to real-world adoption and commercialization. We are grateful for the longstanding support of HKUST and our partners, and look forward to seeing the finalist teams showcase their ingenuity at the Grand Final and contribute to Hong Kong’s vibrant I&T ecosystem.”

To further enhance participants’ product development and business planning capabilities, the competition has introduced a series of AI workshops and investor engagement activities. Through these workshops, participants will explore how generative AI and AI agent technologies can be applied to product design, market analysis, and operational decision-making, helping them to accelerate concept validation and prototype development. Representatives from venture capital firms such as Gobi Partners and InnoAngel Fund have also been invited to share insights on fundraising, product positioning, and market expansion, while providing professional feedback on participating projects to help participating teams refine their business strategies and growth plans.

Beyond the competition itself, HKUST and Sino Group will launch the InnoBay 1M PLUS program during the Grand Final to further strengthen connections among OMC alumni and HKUST start-ups, and industry partners. The program will debut with Smart City Development as its inaugural theme. By identifying real-world application scenarios, matching teams with potential partners, and supporting proof-of-concept (POC) opportunities, the program will support promising innovations in expanding into new markets and accelerating commercial adoption. 

Leveraging Hong Kong unique position as an international innovation and technology hub, the program will also facilitate connections between outstanding Mainland enterprises and entrepreneurial teams from different competition regions, as well as Hong Kong’s industry, investment and business communities. In addition, it will foster exchange and collaboration among start-ups, industry partners, and investors, contributing to the long-term development of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector.

Free Public Registration with Audience Voting and Lucky Draw Prizes

The Grand Final will feature a special audience voting segment, with attendees selecting the entrepreneurial team they believe has the greatest potential and impact. Those who successfully vote for one of the eventual winning teams will be entered into a lucky draw for special prizes.

Admission is free. Places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of the public are warmly invited to register at https://seamless-reg.com/reg/hkust1m2026/ and witness the creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and technological innovations of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.