2016 2017 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2020-2021

INVESTING IN STARTUPS
Assessed 7,700
Business Proposals
Invested Around US$80M
into 50 startups
1,200+ Jobs created by
portfolio companies in HK
Number of deals by initial investment stage
NUMBER OF DEALS BY SECTORS
FOUNDERS’ FAST FACTS
TOP 3 PAST JOB
EXPERIENCE
Finance
Engineering
Entrepreneurs
FOUNDERS COME FROM
15 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
FOUNDERS’ AGE
RANGE
The above figures related to AEF investment and startup founders are based on the AEF's aggregated data as of March 31, 2021.
9 NEW INVESTMENTS
Airwallex
Atom Semiconductor
Ecoinno
Fano Labs
Great Bay Bio
4 companies in HKAI LAB
7 FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENTS
Aqumon
Area28
DayDayCook
Lynk
Prenetics
Qupital
Sandbox VR
Supporting Innovation
Up To US$4M Investment Commitment
Attracted
Online Fans & Supporters
150,000+
in 186 Locations
Acquired
2,000+
Applications Globally from
100 Regions & Countries
Conducted
220+
Online Semi-Pitch
Sessions

The COVID-19 pandemic is a catalyst of change for the world and the businesses. While facing business challenges due to the pandemic, many corporations strive to adapt to the next normal and speed up the adoption of digital technologies by seeking the collaboration with startups. During the year, 15+ startups have joined the HKAI Lab program, making a total of 33 startups, which cover different sectors including Media, Medical & Health Tech, Biomedical Tech, PropTech & ConTech, FinTech & RegTech, Smart City & Living, eCommerce & Smart Retail, Tourism, Climate Risk, LegalTech, etc.

The HKAI Lab actively connected startups with different corporations, universities and associations as well as hosted workshops and webinars for the startup community.

NETWORKING
STARTUP ADVICE
INSPIRATION
NO. OF PARTICIPATING FOUNDERS
110+
No. of Meeting Hours
60+ MEETINGS
30+ HOURS
KPMG China and the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund have jointly launched the 3rd edition study of “Transforming Hong Kong Through Entrepreneurship” that found out Covid-19 highlights the valuable role of Hong Kong’s startups.
Key Findings:
COVID-19 has highlighted the irreplaceable value of Hong Kong entrepreneurs
The pandemic has made purpose top of mind for organisations
Hong Kong’s venture capital landscape is maturing, with increased government support also making a positive impact
Fintech continues to dominate start-up scene with other sectors requiring greater support
Aligning start-up and corporate expectations and outcomes critical to successful partnerships
Viable career paths critical to encourage more students to study STEAM subjects
NUTURING TALENTS
AEF GO-GETTER!
Total No. of Participated Students Since Launch of the AEF Go-Getter Program:
1,300+
Total No. of Participated Schools & Institutions Since Launch of the AEF Go-Getter Program:
100+
Total No. of Student Programs :
4
ROBOMASTER 2020 YOUTH
TOURNAMENT (HONG KONG)
ROBOTICS COMPETITION
JUMPSTARTER
IDEAPOP!
STUDENT STARTUP COMPETITION
GO-CREATE CHANGE
GLOBAL YOUTH INTERCHANGE
AEF x OXFORD x ST.GALLEN
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
GLOBAL YOUTH INTERCHANGE
STUDENT TAKEAWAYS
A big thank you to the organizing team. You have organized a series of amazing and inspirational events.
Thank you for organizing this competition (JUMPSTARTER IdeaPOP!) to nurture young entrepreneurial talents.
It would be great if we could have physical workshops or sharing sessions, which would be more interactive and interesting. Other than that, the speakers and content of the sessions were great.
The quality of the workshops was extremely good. But I think the missing part is that we cannot interact with the mentors in person.
All figures are based on AEF's data over the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021 unless otherwise stated.