Hong Kong, China, March 4, 2025 – The highly anticipated Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund / HSBC JUMPSTARTER for One Earth Global Pitch Competition (“JUMPSTARTER for One Earth”) is set to ignite on March 26-27 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, where the final winner will be announced. The premier startup and tech event will bring together a star-studded lineup of over 80 AI visionaries, including industry leaders sharing insights on the latest AI trends and sustainability challenges including Joe Tsai, Co-Founder & Chairman of Alibaba Group and more. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will also make a special appearance, highlighting Hong Kong's strategic role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. This gathering promises to inspire and motivate entrepreneurs and innovators in a rapidly evolving landscape of technology and sustainability.
This year’s competition attracted over 800 exceptional submissions from scaleups and startups focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability, the highest number of AI entries to date. These trailblazing entrepreneurs are competing for investments of up to US$5 million (approximately HK$39 million), with 20 finalists developing AI-driven innovations across a variety of sectors (67%) and the subsequent ten (33%) focused on driving sustainability solutions.
Leadership in the AI Era: a 360-degree Perspective
The JUMPSTARTER 2025 Grand Finale will delve into a comprehensive 360-degree overview of our progress in AI, focusing on responsible and ethical innovations that align with global sustainability goals. Keynote speeches and panel discussions will explore the latest trends in the startup community and the broader technology landscape. Notable speakers include Joe Tsai, Co-Founder of Alibaba Group, who will explore the macroeconomics of AI and their outsized impact on global economies under the theme of 'Leadership in the AI Era'. The discussion will highlight the qualities and strategies leaders need to navigate the complexities of AI, cultivating a competitive and inclusive ecosystem in a rapidly changing global economy.
Successful Hong Kong entrepreneurs will also take the stage to share stories of their entrepreneurial journey along with overseas insights, providing valuable advice on navigating global markets and building sustainable businesses. This diverse lineup of over 80 global speakers will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
A showcase of innovation with AI and sustainability at its core
The 2025 edition of JUMPSTARTER for One Earth highlighted the importance of open global innovation by including scaleups for the first time, promoting wider collaboration between startups, scaleups, and investors. After meeting strict criteria, nine scaleups (30%) and 21 startups (70%) were selected as the top 30 finalists. These entrepreneurs are actively shaping the future across various industries, including Art & Entertainment, Building Technology, Consumer Retail, Fintech, and Healthcare, with many AI innovations nearing real-world application. For a full list of top 30 finalists, please see the appendix.
“As we approach the JUMPSTARTER 2025 Grand Finale, we are excited to showcase the incredible talent and innovation from start-ups across the world,” said
Cindy Chow, Executive Director and CEO of AEF. “Having invested in nearly 100 startups, AEF finds this year exceptionally meaningful as we renew our focus on companies that converge at the intersection of two disruptive waves in AI and sustainability. With the added support from Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP) this year, we are delighted to welcome overseas delegates to the Hetao Shenzhen Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. There, they will have the opportunity to explore the newly developed facilities and envision a collaborative future in which startups in Hong Kong and Shenzhen flourish together.”
“The innovations presented by these startups demonstrate great potential for real-world application,” said
Frank Fang, Head of Commercial Banking, Hong Kong and Macau, HSBC, who also serves as a judge for the competition. “It’s encouraging to see a diverse range of innovative ideas addressing real-world challenges across industries with creativity and impact. These concepts are driving progress toward greater efficiency and sustainability, delivering meaningful benefits to businesses and the community.”
"Cyberport, Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship and AI accelerator, believes that the future of innovation lies at the intersection of AI and sustainability. The recent opening of our Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab marks a significant step in supporting AI entrepreneurs and in Hong Kong's journey to becoming an 'AI Plus' hub. We are excited to collaborate with JUMPSTARTER to drive AI innovation that addresses real-world challenges," said
Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport.
“As a proud Strategic Partner of JUMPSTARTER, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is excited to once again have the opportunity to provide startups with the essential resources, mentorship, and ecosystem support they need to thrive. This year's focus on AI and sustainability resonates deeply with our mission to foster innovation that not only solves today's challenges but also paves the way for more sustainable and technologically advanced change across industries.", said
Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP.
Mr. Vincent Ma, Chief Executive of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited said, “We are greatly inspired to see such a vibrant showcase of entrepreneurial and innovative spirit among the JUMPSTARTER for One Earth’s top 30 finalists. As an I&T bridgehead that connects the Mainland and the rest of the world, HSITP is committed to facilitate the development of an international I&T hub of the GBA, serving as a launchpad for overseas startups such as JUMPSTARTER for One Earth contestants to unlock the vast opportunities in the region.”
“AI is not just a tool — it’s a catalyst for sustainability,” said
Wayne Li of, Partner & COO of AlphaTrio Capital. “AlphaTrio aims to establish an economic circle and ecosystem that nurtures sustainability technologies, while also prioritizing financial returns to enhance and broaden the adoption of sustainable practices across various sectors. It is inspiring to witness the innovative solutions presented by the finalists, all dedicated to addressing real-world challenges. Together, I believe we are united in our pursuit of a zero-emission future.”
Explore beyond the pitch and peer into an experiential future
The JUMPSTARTER 2025 Grand Finale promises to be an unforgettable two-day event, blending high-stakes pitching with immersive experiences that showcase the intersection of technology, art, and human progress. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore dedicated experiential zones, featuring interactive tech displays and live demonstrations of cutting-edge innovations. Highlights of the experiential zone include:
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Horizon_25 is a 3D audiovisual video installation developed by Hong Kong Baptist University and commissioned artist ‘Dogrush’. It examines how optical and spatial codes interact with sensory feedback to generate an otherworldly narrative that is shaped and animated by a series of remarkable visual phenomena.
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ROBOTERA’s humanoid robots, developed by Tsinghua University, showcasing the potential of embodied AI in everyday life. |
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LimX Dynamics’ biped and quadruped robots, revolutionizing loco-manipulation and robotics platforms.
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KC Smart Mobility’s, the world’s first certified passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft, offering a glimpse into the future of autonomous air mobility. |
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The art installation Virtual Butterfly by DABEIYUZHOU (大悲宇宙) showcases hundreds of lifelike butterflies crafted with the aid of GenAI, meticulously chosen by the artist, and presented via holograms, creating a vibrant 3D butterfly garden. The installation explores whether technology can enrich evolution and the potential for a collaborative natural ecosystem involving humans and machines. |
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Throughout the event, Public Visuals, a collective of audiovisual, visual artists and composers from Japan and other regions, will present live performances featuring synchronized visuals and music that evoke fresh sensations. |
“The JUMPSTARTER 2025 Grand Finale is less about judging and more about coming together to celebrate and nurture the seeds of innovation,” added
Chow. “We are thrilled to bring together over 100 global speakers and start-ups to share valuable insights and showcase their innovations with the industry. This diverse exchange of ideas not only enriches our community but also inspires innovation and collaboration, vital for tackling the challenges we face in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.”
The competition will be presided over by a panel of esteemed judges and industry experts renowned in their respective fields of venture capital, banking, academia, AI, and more. Among them are representatives from Beyond Ventures, Gaw Capital, KXVC, Qonvolv Ventures, NextGen Partners, Transcend Capital Partners, SC Ventures, Tsinghua Innovation Ventures, Watten Investments, Deloitte, Kroll, MTR Lab, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, and many more.
The event will also feature keynote speeches and panel discussions focused on AI latest trends and the broader technology landscape. Distinguished speakers include:
- Paul Chan Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary, the Government of the HKSAR
- Joe Tsai, Chairman and Co-founder of Alibaba Group
- Ben Barone-Nugent - Canva Generative AI Supergroup Lead
- Erika Cheung - Co-founder of Ethics in Entrepreneurship (Theranos whistleblower)
- Dr Fred Hu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Primavera Capital Group
- Song Hoi See, Founder & CEO of Premium Plaza Group
- Ilaira Chan, Chairwoman of the Tech For Good Institute
- Prof Jie Tang, Co-founder of Zhipu AI, and Professor of Tsinghua University
- Julian Chu, Strategist of ZeroAvia
- Prof Kyogu Lee, TIME 100 AI 2024 and CEO of Supertone
- Minh Tran, COO of Goodnotes
- Prof Ruth Chang, Professor & Chair of Jurisprudence, University of Oxford
- Stephanie Hung, CIO of Asian Development Bank
- Selina Yuan, President, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence International
- Dr Seth Dobrin, General Partner, 1infinity Ventures; Founder & CEO, Qantm AI, IBM’s first Global Chief AI Officer
- Steve Nouri, Founder and Board Member, Generative AI; AI influencer with 1.7M followers on LinkedIn
Together, these speakers will provide diverse perspectives on the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
For a complete list of speakers, visit
https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/speakers for more details.
Mark your calendars for March 26-27 and join us at the AsiaWorld-Expo for an unforgettable journey into the future of innovation. Be a part of the action and secure your 2-day access passes now to experience the JUMPSTARTER 2025 Grand Finale live. For more information about the event, the finalists, and tickets, please visit
https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/ for further details.
