HONG KONG SAR — 13 April 2025 — The global spotlight turned to Hong Kong this week as the Hong Kong Innovation and Invention (HKII) project took centre stage at the 50th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions (IEIG). Organised by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA), HKII brought together over 60 innovations from around 30 companies and student teams across primary and secondary schools.
The “Hong Kong Innovation and Invention Exhibition” occupied Booth A57 in Hall 1, spanning 80 square meters. Backed by the Innovation and Technology Commission, the initiative aims to create global exposure for Hong Kong’s innovators—offering them a platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies, explore cross-border opportunities, and position the city as a hub of future-ready solutions.
The exhibition highlighted a diverse array of solutions across six key categories: Smart City, Smart Finance, Health Technologies and Medicine, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and a newly introduced Youth class for inventors under 18.
Showcasing Homegrown Innovation
In Smart City, the Hong Kong Centre for Logistics Robotics introduced the Tumbler Inspection Ball (TIB) Robot—an autonomous device designed to navigate harsh underground drainage environments. Equipped with AI and advanced multi-sensor fusion, TIB can inspect infrastructure such as sewage tunnels and rivers, capturing high-definition, 360-degree video to support ecological and structural assessments.
For Smart Finance, the Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Centre (FLAIR) unveiled WISIO, a no-code AI solution that streamlines the deployment of vision inspection models. The platform simplifies processes such as data integration, auto-labelling, and real-time analytics, allowing businesses to implement AI tools without technical expertise.
Within Health Technologies and Medicine, Elleon Biotech showcased PhenoDot, an advanced immunoassay platform capable of simultaneously detecting cell surface and secretion markers. The innovation promises faster, more cost-efficient diagnostics and is positioned for applications in antibody generation, immunotherapy, and cancer detection.
Smart Transportation took a leap forward with the E-lock system developed by the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre. Already deployed at over 90 clearance points across Mainland China and Hong Kong, the technology reduces redundant inspections and accelerates customs processing for transhipment cargo.
In the realm of Smart Industry, BioLogiQ introduced sustainable, plant-based materials aimed at reducing oceanic plastic waste, environmental microplastics, and carbon emissions. The firm’s solutions promise sustainability without compromising product quality or user experience.
Representing the Youth category, a student team from St. Paul’s Co-Educational College Primary School presented the X-Chair—a conceptual high-tech wheelchair designed for urban and extreme terrain navigation. The AI-powered chair features intelligent suspension, eco-friendly energy systems, and gyroscopic stability, enabling accessibility across stairs, grass, and snow.
A Platform for Global Exchange
“2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the HKEA, and the second year to host the HKII project,” said Alice Lai, Vice Chairman of HKEA and Project Convenor of HKII. “ For decades, Hong Kong has benefited from a robust I&T ecosystem. However, one of the challenges is the limited stage to showcase innovations to the global business community. Through organising HKII, we are committed to raising the international profile of Hong Kong start-ups, products and inventors by providing them free access to top international trade shows like the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, creating more collaboration opportunities for export and overseas collaboration.”
“On the 50th anniversary of IEIG this year, we are delighted to see innovative inventions from Hong Kong participating in the exhibition, especially innovative ideas from youth joining for the first time, bringing a different global invention experience to our visitors,” said Caroline Simonet, Director of the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions. “We wish Hong Kong start-ups could seize the opportunity to find potential buyers and investors from around the world at the world’s top international invention fair.”
“As a biotech start-up, it is not an easy job to promote expert-focused foundational technologies and products. We need to meet biomedical experts from all over the world to explain our research,” said Daniel Sherlock-Yip, founding member of Elleon Biotech, an exhibiting startup. “Participating in the IEIG is a great opportunity for marketing. Through the HKII, we have successfully connected to a number of European and American scientific research and biomedical institutions at the exhibition.”
“Students from participating schools were thrilled to travel from Hong Kong to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in this world-class I&T exhibition across half the planet,” said Ho Lai Sing, founder of Star Club Scientist Education, who liaises with young inventors from various primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong with HKII. “Participating in HKII to reach global audiences is a valuable and inspiring experience for students. It will encourage students to step up their STEAM studies to the next level and gain a clearer mind for their studying, career and entrepreneurial planning in the future.”
As Hong Kong’s innovators make their mark on the global stage, the HKII project continues to bridge local ingenuity with international opportunity—showcasing the depth and diversity of talent shaping the city’s innovation-driven future.
