Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) concluded its delegation to Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2026 in Paris, marking a significant step in bridging Asia and Europe's innovation ecosystems. The event, held from June 17 to 20, celebrated its 10th anniversary and served as a platform for HKSTP to sign multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between its park companies and European partners, reinforcing its role as Asia's I&T ecosystem orchestrator.
Among the key collaborations, microalgae expert Algreen signed with ForNatures, a South Korean climate tech company specializing in carbon capture management, to amplify joint research and development capabilities toward ESG goals. Robotics solutions provider Robocore partnered with Slovenian cognitive software startup ARCHTYP to integrate a differentiating layer into a proven platform, while also closing a deal with French advertising giant JCDecaux to supply a thousand robots and expand its European market reach. LeafIoT's green asset management solutions attracted interest from European preservation professionals, including the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), Catalonian landscaping firm Gremi de Jardineria de Catalunya, and Professor Andrea Galli from the Laboratory of Geotechnical Analysis and Modelling (GeoT-LAM) at Politecnico di Milano, all exploring new opportunities and market breakthroughs.
The annual showcase enabled founders to connect with the local I&T community through pitching sessions, networking mixers, and investor engagement. Compared to VivaTech 2025, this year's delegation achieved over 50% growth in opportunities, totaling more than 200 potential business leads worth HK$70 million. HKSTP's growing presence at VivaTech reflects its mission to open doors for Hong Kong startups, build pathways into European markets, and create reciprocal opportunities for European innovators to enter Asia through Hong Kong's strategic location in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the world's No.1 innovation cluster according to the World Intellectual Property Organization Innovation Index.
Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: "France and the EU represent critical opportunities for Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland I&T ventures to scale globally. VivaTech provides a world-class platform for collaboration, co-creation, and knowledge exchange. Our strong ties with French partners underline the importance of Hong Kong as a global launchpad for innovation, supporting startups on their journey from local success to international impact."
A highlight this year was the expansion of HKSTP's partnership with Bouygues Construction, a global leader in sustainable construction headquartered in France, operating across more than 60 countries. Through its Hong Kong arm, Dragages Hong Kong, Bouygues has maintained a 70-year legacy in Hong Kong, contributing to iconic infrastructure projects and championing innovation in construction safety, modular design, green materials, and site automation. HKSTP is the first and only institution in Hong Kong to bridge tech ventures directly into Bouygues Construction's "Scale One" programme, providing a fast track to prototyping and commercialisation. This initiative sets a new benchmark for cross-border industrial innovation partnerships. Building on existing foundations, Bouygues Construction is now stepping up collaboration with HKSTP beyond Asia, offering selected Hong Kong startups the chance to showcase solutions at Bouygues' headquarters in France, with opportunities for solution validation and pilot trials across European operations.
The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and supported by partners including HKSTP, showcased market-ready solutions spanning AI, green tech, and health tech from 24 tech ventures, marking a major milestone in creating a direct bridge between Hong Kong and Europe's heart of innovation and technology.
