Finals Countdown - The HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2025

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group today announced the official launch of the finals for the 15th HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition. This milestone anniversary features a record-breaking 348 teams from Hong Kong and 22 other countries and regions across five continents, including Australia, the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Japan, India and Kazakhstan, showcasing the competition’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovative talents and promote collaboration and idea exchanges between local and international entrepreneurs.

Around 260 teams from HKUST and 90 international student teams from global institutions, including the University of Oxford, Cornell University, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Tokyo, will compete for 15 coveted spots and a total prize pool of over HK$1 million. These teams will present innovative ideas aimed at building a sustainable future and addressing societal challenges. Committed to nurturing the next generation of creative talents, HKUST and Sino Group have partnered for years to organize this annual competition, supporting aspiring young entrepreneurs in developing innovative solutions and scaling their ventures. 

AI & Inclusivity Drive 2025’s Breakthroughs

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms industries, the competition introduced an AI Training Workshop this year, inviting industry experts to equip teams with skills in machine learning, data analysis, and real-life application integration. Around one-third of the participating teams are pioneering AI and robotics solutions this year, making it the largest category in the competition. 

One-on-one coaching sessions for female entrepreneurs have also been launched to champion female entrepreneurship, successfully boosting female participation to over 30% this year.

The Competition will continue to feature the “Sustainability Impact Award,” designed to encourage startups and the next generation of innovators to incorporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into their submissions. Following a thorough evaluation process, six shortlisted teams presented their ESG-focused innovative solutions to the public during the ‘One North STEAM AI Summer’ event held in the Northern Metropolis in mid-August.

HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP expressed her delight at the competition’s continued growth in scope and diversity, “At HKUST, we cultivate minds that turn bold ideas into global solutions. I am deeply grateful for the support of our business and industry partners such as the Sino Group, who share our vision and sponsor the HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition to nurture the next generation of innovative talent. Over the past 15 years, this event has supported countless entrepreneurs and businesses, gradually evolving into a global nexus of innovation where diverse talent can thrive. HKUST will remain committed to equipping these bright minds with resources and mentorship, while propelling Hong Kong’s vision as an international innovation hub." 

Mr. Daryl NG, Chairman of Sino Group, stated, “Sino Group is committed to nurturing young talent and advancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem through initiatives like the Hong Kong Science Fair and the Sino Inno Lab in the Northern Metropolis. We are grateful for our collaboration with the HKUST team and their efforts in the HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition, which encourages university students to translate their research into impactful businesses. We appreciate all the participants for their enthusiasm and creativity, and we believe that fostering international collaboration is essential for attracting global talent to Hong Kong. We hope each contestant finds value in this opportunity as they pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations and contribute to the innovation landscape.”

Road to the Finals: 15 Teams, One Million Dollars

After two rounds of rigorous evaluation by a panel of venture capitalists, corporate representatives and professors, 10 teams from HKUST and 5 teams from overseas universities have advanced to the finals, which will take place on September 30 at the HKUST Clear Water Bay campus. The winning teams will share over HK$1 million in total prize money as seed funding to help realize their ambitions. The top teams from Hong Kong will then progress to the Grand Final at the end of the year, where they will compete against the winning teams from Beijing, Foshan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, unlocking even greater development opportunities.

The public is invited to witness the excitement of the finals. Interested parties are invited to register online at https://ec.hkust.edu.hk/one-million/hk/2025/registration to reserve a seat.

For more information about the “HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2025”, please visit: https://ec.hkust.edu.hk/one-million/hk/2025/