HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West
Collaborating with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) hosted a series of events under the Economic and Trade Express (ETE) to help Hong Kong start-ups explore business opportunities in the Western United States during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Following the announcement in the Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address, the new functional platform ETE has been established to enable overseas Economic and Trade Offices, the HKTDC, and InvestHK to deepen their work on trade and investment promotion with greater synergy. One key highlight under the ETE is to assist Hong Kong small and medium enterprises and start-ups in exploring business opportunities in overseas markets by organising overseas business missions and providing one-stop support services such as business matching.
The HKTDC and the HKSTP led the largest-ever Hong Kong tech delegation, featuring over 60 companies with a dynamic mix of AI, robotics, healthtech, and sustainability at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at CES 2026, which is an annual tech event that attracted more than 148 000 attendees from around the globe. Collaborating with the HKTDC, InvestHK, and the HKSTP, HKETO San Francisco organised a series of events under the ETE to facilitate connections and networking for Hong Kong start-ups, including:
On January 7 (Las Vegas time), the Hong Kong Tech Networking Reception, a highlighted programme to promote the ETE, attracted around 200 participants. They connected with founders, investors, corporate leaders, and ecosystem partners from Hong Kong for potential cross-border collaboration.
Also on January 7, the Breakfast Networking Seminar on Start-up Partnership between the State of Nevada and the Hong Kong/Greater Bay Area was held. The event, jointly organised by HKETO San Francisco, the Hong Kong Business Association of Nevada, the HKTDC, and the HKSTP, served as a welcome session for the Hong Kong delegation. Around 40 participants, including representatives of tech start-ups from the HKSTP and the HKTDC, learned about the ecosystem and business opportunities in Nevada, as well as policy incentives and packages of the state that help companies expand their businesses.
At the Silicon Dragon CES 2026 Seminar and Reception on January 6, an HKETO San Francisco-sponsored event organised by Silicon Dragon Ventures, five start-ups represented the Hong Kong delegation and showcased their products and services to over 70 venture capitalists, start-ups, and tech talents in attendance.
In addition, to further promote the business profiles of participating start-ups and facilitate business matching, HKETO San Francisco organised a series of visits to the Hong Kong Tech Pavilions by business leaders and economic development agencies from cities across the US West. They were also briefed on Hong Kong's latest innovation and technology landscape.
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO San Francisco collaborates with HKTDC, InvestHK, and HKSTP to organise activities under Economic and Trade Express in US West Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off
The 7th Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, held its kick-off ceremony today (January 19), announcing 39 selected local design companies.
The DLAB Support Scheme aims to provide training in marketing, brand building, and business operations, alongside professional consultancy and business matching services, to assist the selected enterprises in seizing the licensing opportunities and expanding into the Chinese Mainland and international markets. The 39 selected companies under this edition will participate in the study mission in the Greater Bay Area in late January, with a view to strengthening ties with the enterprises and exploring market potential on the Chinese Mainland. They will also exhibit at the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026 organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in April, showcasing their creative achievements and further enhancing the global visibility of Hong Kong designs.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony today, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne IP remarked that Hong Kong designers of the new generation have created original intellectual properties (IPs) that are contemporary and international with their unique perspectives. Their works are not only full of vitality but also embody the cultural identity and innovative spirit characteristic of Hong Kong. The Government will continue to support young designers in creating IPs and actively promote Hong Kong's IPs locally and internationally.
Since its first edition in 2018, the DLAB Support Scheme has supported over 300 local design companies, which have received over 4 000 business enquiries, reflecting the commercial potential and cross-sector collaboration appeal of Hong Kong's original IPs.
For more information on the DLAB Support Scheme, please visit www.dlabhk.com.
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
