The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), together with strategic partners including the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, hosted the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech 2026 in Paris, showcasing 24 local innovation and technology enterprises. The pavilion aimed to connect Hong Kong start-ups with global investors and industry players, helping them seize opportunities in the European market.
Several participating companies achieved significant outcomes. Formwork IO, a developer of carbon-negative construction materials, was selected as a top 30 finalist for VivaTech's 'Tech for Change' Award. Additionally, PointFit Technology and Robocore Technology Limited were chosen to present live demonstrations at VivaTech's Discovery Stage. These achievements highlight the innovative capabilities of Hong Kong start-ups in fields such as health technology and artificial intelligence.
Robocore Technology, which first connected with JCDecaux at last year's VivaTech, is now in negotiations to provide 1,000 robots for marketing campaigns. CEO Lim Long-hei stated, 'Leveraging the business connections built through the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, we hope to deepen collaboration with European multinationals and achieve rapid growth.' LeafIoT Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Politecnico di Milano to collaborate on smart tree monitoring solutions, aiming to expand into the European market.
Chris Lo, HKTDC's Regional Director for Europe, Central Asia & Israel, noted, 'VivaTech 2026's Hong Kong Tech Pavilion has achieved excellent results, facilitating multiple cross-border collaborations. We are pleased that some outcomes have materialized from connections initiated last year.' The HKTDC organized seminars, pitching sessions, and networking events to foster industry exchanges and business matching.
During a thematic seminar titled 'Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems,' Shirley Yung, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic & Trade Affairs to the EU, emphasized Hong Kong's advantages: top-tier research, global capital, access to the Greater Bay Area, and strong connectivity to global markets. Terry Wong from HKSTPC and Yonghai Du from HKPC discussed how Hong Kong provides a familiar framework for European companies to explore Asian markets and offers technical support to meet international standards.
The HKTDC's participation in VivaTech follows its presence at CES 2026, MWC, and 4YFN, demonstrating ongoing efforts to support start-ups in expanding overseas. The 10th VivaTech attracted over 15,000 start-ups and 200,000 visitors from 165 countries. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is a flagship initiative under the 'Economic and Trade Express' in Europe, with additional events organized by Brussels ETO, HKTDC, and InvestHK to help start-ups explore the local market.
