First anniversary of the HKUTEA/iDendron@Qianhai Office

October 13, 2025 — On the afternoon of October 13, the University of Hong Kong’s Youth Tech Academy (HKU TEA) celebrated its first anniversary in Qianhai, Shenzhen. In just one year, the academy has rapidly emerged as a vital platform for technology commercialization, innovation and entrepreneurship which deepened integration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen within the Greater Bay Area.

The celebration brought together over 300 distinguished guests from government, academia, industry, and investment sectors. Attendees reflected on the achievements of the academy and envisioned a promising future. With strong support from the Qianhai Authority, HKU TEA has made remarkable strides in talent development and research transformation, focusing on artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and new materials. Over the past year, the academy has incubated 67 high-tech startups, led by 18 renowned professors and 40 PhDs, involving nearly 300 young innovators—115 of whom are from Hong Kong. These ventures have collectively raised close to RMB 400 million, with valuations in the billions.

The event also featured the unveiling of the Dental Innovation Hub, a joint initiative by HKU’s Faculty of Dentistry, Innovation Centre, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. As the first platform in the region dedicated to dental innovation, it aims to transform cutting-edge research into commercial applications.

HKU TEA has hosted 19 academic forums and 33 innovation workshops, welcoming over 5,500 visitors and 120 experts, further cementing its role as a beacon of academic and entrepreneurial exchange. Strategic partnerships were also announced, including collaborations with Cambridge University and the Shenzhen Productivity Promotion Center, enhancing global innovation networks and resource sharing.

HKUTEA’s rapid growth underscores the university’s strength in innovation and Qianhai’s unique role in fostering cross-border synergy. With a solid foundation and shared vision, the academy is poised for an even brighter future.