Hong Kong, China, February 4 2026 – Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund’s JUMPSTARTER 2026 returns with even greater momentum, anchored by three core pillars that define the event experience: The Experience, The Insights and The Connectors. Attendees will engage in immersive physical and visual encounters with the future, gain access to frontier knowledge and thought leadership, while connecting with global opportunities through business matching and deal-making.

From a pool of 700+ submissions spanning over 60+ regions and countries, the Top 30 startups have been selected to pitch live at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on March 12–13. These visionary entrepreneurs will compete for up to US$5 million in investment and the opportunity to connect with the Alibaba ecosystem, facilitate mentorship relationships and strategic partnerships to accelerate their growth.

JUMPSTARTER for One Earth Global Pitch Competition 2026 is centered around the dual changemaking catalysts of AI and sustainability, reinforcing AEF’s ongoing mission to grow the global entrepreneurship ecosystem by empowering startups that harness AI for sustainable progress. This year’s finalists have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to solving real-world problems across diverse sectors including healthcare technology, creative content creation, fintech, robotics and even physical and mental wellness. Most companies are at the Seed Stage, with a notable number already advancing to Series A, reflecting trailblazing  innovation at speed within this year’s cohort.

Demonstrating true international reach, over half (50%) of the Top 30 finalists hail from outside Hong Kong, underscoring the competition’s global mandate and its role as a bridge connecting startups with the right markets, ecosystems and investors worldwide. Notably, all 30 finalists (100%) are harnessing AI to drive innovation across a diverse range of industries. Their innovation aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with four finalists specifically focused on advancing sustainability solutions. This dynamic cohort reflects the growing influence of AI as a core driver of productivity and innovation, and the critical importance of sustainability in reshaping the future of business.

Reflecting a truly global spirit, the event welcomes a diverse mix of startups and scaleups. From transformational consumer experiences and advanced healthcare analysis, to AI-powered sensory technology, the Top 30 finalists were chosen for their innovative solutions across industries such as Creative Industries Construction and Property Tech, Consumer Retail, Fintech, Green Tech, and Healthcare.

 

Sector	No. of Finalists
Creative Industries	4
Fintech	5
Green Tech	4
Healthcare	8
Consumer	1
Construction & Property Tech	3
Others	5

Voices of tomorrow ignite the spark of global entrepreneurship
The two-day JUMPSTARTER 2026 Grand Finale will offer a panoramic view of the evolving AI and sustainability landscape, spotlighting how these dual forces are redefining entrepreneurship on a global scale. This year’s program will feature keynote addresses, dynamic fireside chats and panel discussions led by a diverse lineup of over 30 global speakers. Attendees will receive practical advice and fresh perspectives on scaling businesses, navigating new markets and building ventures that prioritize both growth and social impact.

Distinguished speakers will join to share insights on the macroeconomic impact of AI and the strategic imperatives for leaders in today’s interconnected world. The agenda will also showcase thought leaders like Kate Kallot, CEO & Founder of Amini – named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI and a veteran of NVIDIA, Arm, and Intel – who will explore the race for data sovereignty and its influence on the next technological frontier; Milind, Principal AI Scientist at Mercedes-Benz, who will provide a strategic roadmap for leadership in a digital era; and Thomas Clozel, CEO of OWKIN, who is pioneering agentic AI in life sciences.

Attendees will also benefit from sessions led by John Whaley, Founder of Inception Studio, bridging deep technical rigor with elite venture building, and Hongyu Wang, CEO of Suzhou Xinsino Semiconductor Equipment, discussing the next generation of chip ecosystems powering embodied AI. The program further includes behavioral science and human-centered design insights from Mike Fischer, CEO, Gamegoglobal, Eva Frishberg of Irrational Labs and Tony Wong of IDEO, as well as masterclasses from serial entrepreneurs like Patrick Lee, Co-founder of Rotten Tomatoes, and Ray Chan, Co-founder of 9GAG. Please refer to the appendix for more details.

Where innovation is visible, tangible and accessible
The JUMPSTARTER 2026 Grand Finale invites attendees to explore beyond the pitch and immerse themselves in a universe of tangible innovation. This year’s event brings to life a living showcase of technology, art and entrepreneurship at the HKCEC. Highlights of the experiential zone include:




Discover over 100 booths uniting elite university spin-offs, regional tech champions and a curated international startup showcase. This global deep-tech exhibition traces the journey from frontier research to real-world deployment.
Empowering the next generation of innovators in AI and sustainability
In addition to the main pitch event, AEF is launching JUMPSTARTER ZPIRE (ZPIRE) for the first time, a competition dedicated to university students. ZPIRE is an AI innovation challenge for students from all majors. Through Ideation and AI Mastery Workshops, mentorship, and teamwork, participants gain real-world AI skills, sharpen problem-solving, and collaborate across disciplines to turn bold ideas into impactful solutions for integrative wellness.This initiative is a reflection of AEF’s commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and providing young talent with opportunities to shape the future of technology and sustainability.
“JUMPSTARTER 2026 is a testament to the transformative power of global collaboration and the diversity and ambition of this year’s finalists showcase how global partnerships can drive sustainable growth and position our region as a leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship.” says Ms. Cindy Chow, Executive Director and CEO of AEF. “As we develop AI, it is essential to balance its immense potential with a clear-eyed approach to the challenges it brings. It’s heartening to see the entrepreneurs of tomorrow demonstrate how innovation can be harnessed responsibly, driving progress in sustainability while addressing ethical and societal concerns. At AEF, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs who not only advance technology, but also shape a future where AI benefits everyone.”
The competition will be presided over by corporates, investors, and a panel of esteemed judges renowned in their respective fields of venture capital, banking, academia, AI and more. Among them are representatives from Cathay Pacific, Mitsubishi Corporation, Neuberger Berman , UBS, Sumitomo Corporation Equity Asia, NF Trinity, HSBC, Primavera Capital Group, Whitestone capital, White Star Capital, Deloitte, Oracle, Evercore, New World Development, and many more.  
 
Save the date for March 12–13 and join us at the Hall 5BC, HKCEC for an immersive showcase of the world’s brightest startups. Secure your 2-day passes now to witness the JUMPSTARTER 2026 Grand Finale live and be part of the next wave of innovation. For event details, finalist information and ticketing, please visit https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/ for further details.
 
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