Advancing the I&T Ecosystem: HKU TEC Launches Gobi-HKU Fund I and Venture Mentoring Service
HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund × Gobi Partners: Joint Fund First Close & First Batch of Investment Ceremony Accelerating the Growth of HKU Startups
Prof. Stephanie Ma, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Interim) of HKU
Thomas G. Tsao, Co-founder and Chair of Gobi Partners
Ms. Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited
From Left to Right: Dr. Paul Wang, Director of HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Core; Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP, Chief Convenor of HKU Super Angel Network; Hon. Duncan Chiu, Legislative Council Member (Technology and Innovation); Prof. Stephanie Ma, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of HKU; Ms. Lillian Cheong, JP, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR; Mr. Arnold Lau, Associate Director-General of Investment of InvestHK; Mr. Damien Wu, Chair (Mentorship), HKU SAN; Ms. Monica Wong, Director of HKU Alumni Affairs
Welcome Speech by Prof. Stephanie Ma, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Interim) of HKU
Speech by Guest of Honour, Ms. Lillian Cheong, JP, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government
Opening Remarks by HKU Super Angel Network, Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP, Chief Convenor of HKU Super Angel Network
Keynote: From Bench to Bedside: Accelerating the Clinical Translation of Synthetic Biology Vaccines Dr. Qiubin Lin, Founder and CEO of Delonix Bioworks
Keynote: Focus on Future Industries: Collaboratively Building a Rainforest Ecosystem for Key and Core Technology Entrepreneurship Dr. Lei Mi, Founding Partner of CASSTAR
From Left to Right Ms. Grace Cheng, CEO & Founder of Agewhale; Mr. Terence Hon, Co-founder of GreenPrice; Dr. Winnie Tang, MH, JP, Chief Convenor of HKU Super Angel Network - Moderator; Dr. Data Ng, Co-President of Cyberport Startup Alumni Association; Founder and CTO, BioX; Ms. Jojo Kwok, Co-founder of Body Nova Limited and DineWell AI
HKU’s Techno-Entrepreneurship Core (TEC) has taken significant steps to enhance regional development and technological innovation through the launch of two major groundbreaking initiatives. These initiatives underscore HKU’s commitment to fostering knowledge exchange, nurturing high-impact research, and accelerating sustainable growth in the innovation and technology ecosystem.
1) HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund × Gobi Partners joint fund
The first initiative marks the closing of the HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF) × Gobi Partners joint fund and the initial investment ceremony, officially launching Gobi–HKU Fund I. This fund, part of HKU’s Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF), operates as a fund-of-funds designed to foster startup growth and strengthen Hong Kong’s innovation and tech ecosystem.
It primarily invests in high-potential HKU spin-off startups, offering more than just capital—providing access to talent and strategic support to help convert advanced research into globally impactful solutions.
2) HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS)
In parallel, TEC has also officially launched the HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), Hong Kong’s first mentoring programme formally affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) VMS model and powered by the HKU Super Angel Network.
This service is dedicated to supporting high-potential, research-driven startups. By facilitating knowledge exchange among researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, VMS helps accelerate the commercialisation of cutting-edge innovations and strengthens entrepreneurial support for long-term growth.
Notably, several innovative projects backed by HKU VMS, including some highlighted at the March 2026 Symposium, stood out as especially promising. These include:
- Contactless Biomedical Safety Helmet Cooling accessory (Haykozé / Air Ring 49): Developed by HKU architecture student, Jeff Li , this patented cooling accessory attaches to construction helmets and reduces skin temperature by 5.1°C through targeting critical hotspots at nape and back ear region without skin contact. Recognised with the National James Dyson Award, it exemplifies the potential of research-driven design to improve safety, productivityand comfort in physically demanding environments.
- Organoid Technology (BiomOrgan): This project focuses on proprietary respiratory organoid platforms that produce 3D cellular clusters mimicking human organs. The technology holds significant promise for medical research, drug testing, and preclinical studies, exemplifying HKU’s research's tangible healthcare impact.
Shared impact: knowledge exchange and innovation-led growth
Together, these initiatives provide important platforms for knowledge exchange and long-term support—enabling researchers, entrepreneurs, and partners to collaborate on innovations with both regional relevance and global ambition. By emphasising startup development, mentorship, and high-impact deep-tech projects, HKU reinforces its role in translating research into real-world solutions and supporting Hong Kong’s position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
As HKU continues to promote innovation and collaboration, these programmes illustrate how academic knowledge can be harnessed for societal good—offering a model for sustained, innovation-driven impact in Hong Kong and beyond.
Learn more about the two initiatives via the links below:
- Gobi–HKU Fund I: https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/29006.html
- HKU Venture Mentoring Service (VMS): https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/29002.html