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HKBU debuts at JUMPSTARTER to showcase achievements in technology innovations and translation
27 Mar, 2025
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) made its debut at the innovation and technology extravaganza JUMPSTARTER to showcase its cutting-edge art tech and sustainability development projects, and the technology translation achievements of its startups.
JUMPSTARTER 2025 is a premier event in the startup and technology sectors organised by the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund on 26 and 27 March at the AsiaWorld-Expo. On 27 March, Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director and CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, and other VIPs visited HKBU’s booth. Mr Tobby Fu, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Institute of Innovation, Translation and Policy Research at HKBU, introduced to them the University’s pioneering green innovations and their successful translation into practical applications through startups incubated at HKBU.
Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU said: “Environmental problems are pressing issues for society. HKBU scholars are at the forefront of developing transdisciplinary technologies to address these critical environmental challenges. We are delighted to participate in JUMPSTARTER for the first time, joining a collaborative ecosystem that connects industry leaders, investors and innovators. Our startups look forward to showcasing their pioneering green solutions with applications of artificial intelligence – ranging from waste conversion to advanced materials, and exploring partnerships that work towards a sustainable future, delivering both environmental and economic benefits.”
Green innovation shortlisted as top 30 entrepreneurship competition finalists
At the event, HKBU showcased three startups dedicated to green technologies. They have identified partners to develop application solutions or scale-up for industries. They include BioH2 Tech Limited led by Professor Zhao Jun, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology at HKBU, which specialises in using proprietary catalysts and advanced catalytic technology to efficiently convert various types of biomass waste into clean hydrogen, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the process. This technology boasts minimal energy consumption, rapid production rates and zero pollutant emissions, offering a sustainable solution to advance a cleaner, greener future.
This project was shortlisted as one of the 30 finalists from over 800 submissions from scale-ups and start-ups focused on AI and sustainability in JUMPSTARTER for One Earth Global Pitch Competition, the highlight of the JUMPSTARTER 2025 to boost Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship.
Another startup, BeastiBite Limited, led by Professor Matthew Lui, Assistant Professor of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU and Professor Danny Leong, Assistant Professor in Environmental Science of the Department of Life Sciences at Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, is dedicated to developing enhancer from food and plastic waste to increase the rate at which insects break down and transform these waste into valuable resources by leveraging AI technologies, towards the aim of creating a plastic-free future. Another startup, Bright Hub Technology Company Limited, headed by Professor Ken Leung, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU, has developed novel nanofiber coating technologies that enhance thermal stability, anti-corrosion, anti-scratch and anti-fungal properties. These technologies serve as a platform for producing intermediate materials and final products with enhanced durability.
3D audiovisual video installation showcased
HKBU’s booth also presented its latest art tech creation “Horizon_25”, a 3D audiovisual video installation developed by HKBU’s Visualization Research Centre (VRC) and VRC commissioned Alejandro Rodriguez (Dogrush). Led by Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of the Academy of Visual Arts and Director of the VRC at HKBU, using an ultra-wide projection environment with state-of-the-art 3D projectors, this work explores the relationship between space and the horizon, examining how optical and spatial elements interact with sensory feedback. The immersive experience is further enhanced by music composed by Professor Eugene Birman, Acting Director and Associate Professor of the Academy of Music at HKBU.
Also being featured is a startup led by Professor Jeffrey Shaw – Immersive Unlimited Limited, which leverages the narrative power of new media technology to explore its creative use in the fields of expanded cinema, virtual and augmented reality, 360-degree 3D visualisation environments, navigable cinematic systems, and interactive narrative.
HKBU and Alibaba DAMO Academy nurture seeds of collaboration
To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, HKBU announced a collaboration with Alibaba DAMO Academy at JUMPSTARTER 2025 to initiate joint efforts in advancing technology in health science and art tech development. By leveraging the expertise of the DAMO Academy in AI and other technologies, HKBU aims to accelerate the development of novel drugs and treatments, and innovations in the creative industry. The inaugural project will focus on drug development between Alibaba DAMO Academy and HKBU’s Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development.
Mr Tobby Fu, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Institute of Innovation, Translation and Policy Research at HKBU, and Mr Xie Yidong, Product Director of the Fundamental Intelligence Center of Alibaba DAMO Academy, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on 26 March, witnessed by Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU; Mr Ji Lei, Assistant Director of Alibaba DAMO Academy and Head of Technology Development and Collaboration; and Mr Teddy Lui, Chief Commercial Officer of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund.
In addition, a fireside chat titled “The Impact of AI on Current Medical Diagnosis and Future Development Trends” was held on 26 March. Moderated by Dr Rong Yu, Director of Language and Science AI Lab of the Alibaba DAMO Academy, the session featured Professor Zhang Lu, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Dr Liu Qin, Research Assistant Professor of the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development of HKBU. They shared their insights on transdisciplinary research innovations aimed at addressing modern healthcare challenges.