[Media Alert]

Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund’s JUMPSTARTER 2026 Grand Finale Kicks Off at HKCEC to Showcase AI Solutions for Sustainability and Real-World Impact
Top 30 startups to pitch live as ecosystem leaders discuss scaling AI and sustainability innovation in Hong Kong and the region.

Ms. Cindy Chow, Executive Director and CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund (AEF) delivering a welcome speech at the JUMPSTARTER 2026 Grand Finale 

Hong Kong, March 12, 2026 – The highly anticipated Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund’s JUMPSTARTER 2026 (“JUMPSTARTER”) Grand Finale opens today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), bringing founders, investors, corporates and ecosystem partners together to accelerate the path from innovation to real-world impact across AI and sustainability. The Grand Finale was officiated by Deputy Financial Secretary Mr. Michael Wong, GBS, JP. As Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem enters a new phase, JUMPSTARTER 2026 spotlights how the convergence of capital, infrastructure readiness, industry adoption and cross-border scale is unlocking measurable outcomes, including sustainability gains through smarter systems and improved resource efficiency.

 

Deputy Financial Secretary Mr. Michael Wong delivering an opening remark at the JUMPSTARTER 2026 Grand Finale

Deputy Financial Secretary Mr. Michael Wong, GBS, JP, opened by emphasising that finance, together with innovation and technology, is regarded as a core pillar of our economic future. High-quality productivity and growth are being driven by these in tandem as dual engines, not only for Hong Kong but also for the Chinese Mainland and the broader region. The enormous opportunities ahead are being captured through sound policy, and both physical and financial infrastructure are being strengthened to support the development of innovation and technology. Efforts will also be made to ensure that Hong Kong nurtures sufficient talent with the necessary skills and vision.

The Grand Finale will feature a two-day live pitching of the top 30 finalists at JUMPSTARTER for One Earth 2026 Global Pitch Competition, where they will present their breakthrough solutions, competing for the opportunity to access up to US$5 million in investment and connect with strategic partners and the Alibaba ecosystem.

Building on its role as Asia’s leading startup platform, this year’s Grand Finale continues to expand beyond a pitch competition, offering the community opportunities to experience new technologies, access frontier insights and connect through curated collaboration. The program features over 100 speakers and spotlights top AI-driven startups tackling real-world challenges across sectors, including healthcare, sustainability and robotics.

Over the two days, speakers will discuss how AI is moving from experimentation to real deployment, what responsible and trustworthy AI looks like in practice, and how AI can accelerate sustainability outcomes through smarter systems, better resource efficiency, and scalable solutions. Discussions will cover industry collaboration for piloting solutions and Hong Kong’s role as a launchpad for regional and global founders.

Under the theme “From AI Momentum to Real-World Impact: Scaling the Next Generation Startups in Hong Kong”, representatives from AEF, Cyberport and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITPL) gathered at JUMPSTARTER to share how the ecosystem is maturing, from investment momentum and policy conviction, to compute and deployment infrastructure, and the pathways that help startups move from proof of concept to real-world adoption.

Ms. Cindy Chow, Executive Director and CEO of AEF, Mr. Victor Yim, Head of AI & Data Science of Cyberport (left), and Mr. Sean Chen, Associate Director, Ecosystem Development (AI & Data Science) of HSITPL (right) attended the media briefing

Ms. Cindy Chow, Executive Director and CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, said, “Private capital plays a multiplier role in amplifying public investment. JUMPSTARTER 2026 has grown into a place where the ecosystem meets in full force, not only to showcase what is possible, but to accelerate what is ready. This year’s Grand Finale reflects a turning point for Hong Kong’s AI and deep tech landscape, with capital, infrastructure and industry demand coming into clearer alignment, so more founders can move from prototypes to adoption with greater speed and confidence.”

Chow added, “As AI advances, we have to be just as rigorous about how it is deployed as we are excited about what it can do. The conversations at JUMPSTARTER 2026 focus on responsible scaling, building trust and applying AI in ways that deliver real outcomes, including sustainability solutions that make economic sense. We are proud to support entrepreneurs who combine technical depth with long-term thinking and who are building technology that creates measurable value for Hong Kong, the region and the world.”

Mr. Victor Yim, Head of AI & Data Science of Hong Kong Cyberport, said “Infrastructure and ecosystem development are crucial to the advancement of AI. In addition to the operation of Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre, Cyberport also co-launched the GenA.I. Sandbox++ this month with regulators, including the HKMA. The initiative focuses on AI governance and features forward-looking ‘AI vs. AI’ use cases, enabling start-ups to connect and collaborate with financial institutions under regulatory guidance, while further promoting the wider adoption and real-world application of AI technologies, thereby empowering financial innovation through AI.”

“Breakthrough innovation scales faster when founders can access world-class resources and cross-border opportunities,” said Mr. Sean Chen, Associate Director, Ecosystem Development (AI & Data Science) of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITPL). “At JUMPSTARTER 2026, we look forward to engaging with builders who are applying AI to sustainability and address immediate challenges, strengthening the pathways that help startups test, validate and expand across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and international markets.” Mr. Chen continued.

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About Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund
Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund ("AEF") is a mission-driven initiative launched by Alibaba Group in 2015. To vitalize the development of innovation and technology, AEF's mission is to help Hong Kong entrepreneurs and young people realize their dreams and visions for a Hong Kong that is vibrant and engaged regionally and globally. As part of its investment program, AEF provides entrepreneurs with investment capital and strategic guidance to help them grow their businesses and penetrate the mainland Chinese and global markets, by utilizing Alibaba's Ecosystem. For more information, please visit the website: https://www.ent-fund.org/en/

About JUMPSTARTER
JUMPSTARTER is a start-up empowerment initiative created by Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund that provides a platform for all entrepreneurs and young people to jump start their dreams in Hong Kong. It is a first-of-its-kind tech and start-up event focused exclusively on showcasing quality start-ups and providing high-impact networking opportunities. Its goal is to build, empower and boost Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem and entrepreneurship by bringing entrepreneurs, corporations, investors and the public together, helping to transform Hong Kong into a leading hub for global innovation and technology. For more information, please visit the website: https://www.jumpstarter.hk/en/