IOT Data Hackathon 2026 Winners Announced MTR Newcomers Score Triple Victory; MUHK Team Sweeps Four Awards

HONG KONG, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Organised by GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK), co-organised by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and supported by the Digital Policy Office, the IOT Data Hackathon 2026 held its Award Ceremony today (on 16 April) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre during InnoEX 2026.  Bringing together industry leaders, academics and innovators, the ceremony marked the highlight of a nearly 3-month journey of data‑driven innovation.

Record-Breaking Participation
5 Challenge Providers, 163 Competing Teams
Now in its third edition, the IOT Data Hackathon received an unprecedented response, attracting over 160 teams from local tertiary institutions, tech startups, and diverse backgrounds – the highest participation since its launch.  Centred on the themes of "Technology & Business Innovation" and "Social Impact & Sustainability", the Hackathon featured both Student and Professional Streams.

Five challenge providers – AS Watsons Industries, Cobalt Fashion (Hong Kong), DFI Retail Group – Mannings, HKT, and The Hong Kong Council of Social Service & Jockey Club "age at home" Gerontech Education and Rental Service – put forward real operational challenges and business data spanning retail logistics, supply chains, low‑altitude economy and elderly care services.  After rigorous evaluation and intense competition, 24 outstanding teams advanced to the finals to turn bold ideas into practical, data‑powered solutions ready for real‑world deployment.

Exploring How Data and AI Shape the Future Economy
The Award Ceremony kicked off with a high-level discussion panel titled "Building the Future Economy with Data and AI", where leading industry experts unpacked how data and AI are fast becoming the driving forces behind digital transformation and industry evolution.

Momentum surged as the awards presentation took centre stage.  After months of hard work, six exceptional teams emerged as top performers, collectively winning 12 awards.  Winning teams shared their solutions on stage, demonstrating how data and AI can move beyond concepts and labs to deliver tangible improvements — enhancing lives, strengthening industries and energising Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem.

The Biggest Winner: MUHK Team Sweeps Four Awards in Student Stream
De-Buggers stole the spotlight in the Student Stream, clinching four major awards — Student Stream Champion, Best ESG Achievement Award, Best Use of AI Award, and Innovator of Secure by Design– setting a new benchmark at this year's Hackathon.  The six‑member team, all Year Two students from Hong Kong Metropolitan University, majoring in Computer Science and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, impressed the judges with their solution "Supply Chain System: From Predicting Risks to Automated Responses".  Powered by AI, the system integrates container, order, and warehouse data into a dashboard, combined with real-time weather information and shipping news, enabling instant visibility into critical risks and informed decision‑making.

The First Runner-up, Elevenators, is a five‑member team of non-Chinese speaking students from HKU, CUHK, HKUST, CityUHK, and PolyU.  Their solution "ORBITRON" uses 4D airspace grids and blockchain-based smart contracts to automate drone flight approvals, balancing safety, efficiency, and privacy in low‑altitude airspace management.  The Second Runner-up, Jockey Team, comprises four master's students from Hong Kong Baptist University in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.  Their "AI + IoT Precision Outreach and Smart Hub Solution" addresses communication challenges faced by the elderly, using AI to interpret needs and reconstruct scenarios, enabling accurate matching of gerontechnology equipment and improving service experience.

Triple Win for MTR Talents in Professional Stream
The Professional Stream was dominated by Keep Data Moving – MTR Corporation.  Six young graduates who recently joined MTR secured 3 awards – Champion, Best Low-Altitude Economy Innovation Award, and Innovator of Secure by Design – making them the standout triple winner of this competition.  Their winning solution "UAV Guard: Empowering Low-Altitude Economic Growth" tackles the low-altitude economy challenge, creating a real-time flight management system that defines user roles, models flight routes, and instantly flags abnormal drone activities – laying a solid foundation for future low-altitude traffic management.  The solution impressed the judging panel with its technical completeness, innovation and strong application potential.

The First Runner-up, DefinePro, competed as a solo participant and stood out with "Digital Product Passport Control Tower" solution, enabling end-to-end traceability from raw materials to final delivery while proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks.  The Second Runner-up, MingQ Technology Limited, developed a "MingQ IntelliSort System — B2B2C-Ready Pick-to-Light Sorting Solution for Intelligent Warehouse Operation & Management" that integrates order data and optimises routing algorithms to boost picking efficiency and warehouse utilisation.

IOT Data Hackathon 2026 Award Results

Student Stream

• Champion: De-Buggers | Supply Chain System: From Predicting Risks to Automated Responses
• First Runner-up: Elevenators | ORBITRON
• Second Runner-up: Jockey Team | AI+IOT-Driven Precision Reach and Intelligent Hub Solution
   

Professional Stream

• Champion: Keep Data Moving – MTR Corporation | UAV Guard: Empowering Low-Altitude Economic Growth
• First Runner-up: DefinePro | Digital Product Passport Control Tower
• Second Runner-up: MingQ Technology Limited | MingQ IntelliSort System — B2B2C-Ready Pick-to-Light Sorting Solution for Intelligent Warehouse Operation & Management

Special Awards

• Best ESG Achievement Award: De-Buggers | Supply Chain System: From Predicting Risks to Automated Responses
• Best Use of AI Award: De-Buggers | Supply Chain System: From Predicting Risks to Automated Responses
• Best Low-Altitude Economy Innovation Award(sponsored by HKT): Elevenators | ORBITRON (Student Stream)
• Best Low-Altitude Economy Innovation Award(sponsored by HKT): Keep Data Moving – MTR Corporation | UAV Guard: Empowering Low-Altitude Economic Growth (Professional Stream)
• Innovator of Secure by Design(sponsored by Check Point Software Technologies):  De-Buggers | Supply Chain System: From Predicting Risks to Automated Responses (Student Stream)
• Innovator of Secure by Design(sponsored by Check Point Software Technologies Limited): Keep Data Moving – MTR Corporation | UAV Guard: Empowering Low-Altitude Economic Growth (Professional Stream)

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Hong Kong's Data Innovation Ecosystem
Spanning nearly three months, IOT Data Hackathon 2026 empowered participants to turn data into real innovation.  To set teams up for success, GS1 Hong Kong organised seven pre-hackathon workshops, equipping teams with hands‑on insights into geospatial data, cybersecurity, data storytelling, and AI applications, etc.  Shortlisted teams gained complimentary access to advanced technical resources and tools provided by AWS and Esri China (Hong Kong), alongside one-on-one consultations from Check Point Software Technologies to strengthen the security and resilience of their solutions.

Ms. Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong, stated: "The IOT Data Hackathon is a vital platform connecting the business sector, academia, and startups.  By sharing real operational pain points, we spark data-driven solutions to address real-world needs.  The passion and creativity shown by these tech talents reinforce our confidence in the future economy.  We are deeply grateful for the continued support of all partners, and remain committed to fostering cross-sector collaboration – bringing technology into industries, communities and everyday life to create greater value for the society.

To further amplify the impact, GS1 Hong Kong has arranged a Winners Showcase at InnoEX 2026, connecting winning teams with industry professionals and the wider public for deeper technical exchange and real‑world engagement.

Enquiries
For details of the IOT Data Hackathon 2026, please visit: www.gs1hk.org/iotdatahackathon
For enquiries, please contact: iot@gs1hk.org  or call (852) 2861 2819.

PR Newswire is the official press release distribution partner for IOT Data Hackathon 2026.

About GS1 Hong Kong
Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK) is the local chapter of GS1®, a not-for-profit, global organisation that brings industry stakeholders together to develop standards-based solutions to address the challenges of data exchange.  Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1® has 120 national chapters serving 150 economies globally.

GS1 HK aims to empower industry's digital transformation by enabling businesses to improve efficiency, safety, authenticity and sustainability through platforms, solutions and services based on our global standards.   GS1 HK is dedicated to building a collaborative IoT ecosystem in Hong Kong to promote the development of ICT, serving as a bridge between ICT solution providers, users, government and other stakeholders, realising the community's vision to become a smart city. 

GS1 HK currently supports over 8,000 corporate members from various sectors including retail & consumer packaged goods, healthcare, food & beverage and food services, apparel & footwear, transport & logistics, among others.

For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org

Media Enquiries:
Ms. Mignone Cheng
Chief Marketing Officer
GS1 Hong Kong
Email: mignonecheng@gs1hk.org
Tel: +852 2863 9762

Please download high-resolution photos via this link.

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IOT Data Hackathon 2026 Winners Announced MTR Newcomers Score Triple Victory; MUHK Team Sweeps Four Awards

IOT Data Hackathon 2026 Winners Announced MTR Newcomers Score Triple Victory; MUHK Team Sweeps Four Awards

IOT Data Hackathon 2026 Winners Announced MTR Newcomers Score Triple Victory; MUHK Team Sweeps Four Awards

IOT Data Hackathon 2026 Winners Announced MTR Newcomers Score Triple Victory; MUHK Team Sweeps Four Awards

12 years of participation underscore the Group's growing presence in global cosmetics science

SHANGHAI and PERTH, Australia, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 36th Congress of the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) was held in Perth, Australia, from September 28 to October 1. Building on its continued investment in skin science, ingredient science and product science, CHANDO Group participated in the global scientific gathering for the 12th consecutive year. A record 20 CHANDO Group research papers were accepted for this year's Congress, placing the Group among the top five companies worldwide by number of accepted papers. 

The IFSCC is widely regarded as the "Nobel Prize of the cosmetics industry," with the research it recognizes reflecting the latest advances in cosmetic science and technology worldwide. Since first participating in 2015, CHANDO Group has had 79 research papers accepted by IFSCC over 12 years, helping bring Chinese beauty innovation to the forefront of the international scientific community. This track record reflects the comprehensive innovation ecosystem developed by CHANDO Group's R&D Center over the past 25 years. The Group's research spans three core scientific disciplines and is supported by four technology platforms, with capabilities extending from fundamental research through product development. This integrated approach helps translate scientific advances into skincare innovations with tangible consumer benefits.

Fundamental Research Driven by Real Consumer Needs

CHANDO Group believes the value of fundamental research extends beyond scientific publications: ultimately, research must translate into products that address real consumer needs. Among the 20 research papers accepted for this year's IFSCC Congress, technologies from several studies have already been incorporated into products across multiple CHANDO Group brands. From Himalayan extremophile-derived ingredients and precision anti-fatigue aging to barrier repair, pigmentation management, scalp care, cleansing technology, fragrance and sensory science, and women's intimate care, the Group's research spans a broad range of skincare and personal well-being applications.

This work is supported by three core scientific disciplines. In skin science, research ranging from longitudinal cohort studies to epigenetic approaches to skin aging is deepening CHANDO Group's understanding of Asian skin. In ingredient science, the Group is exploring distinctive Himalayan resources to develop a portfolio of proprietary core ingredients. In product science, consumer needs guide the continued evolution of product efficacy. Each research effort starts with a real consumer need, investigates it through fundamental research, and ultimately translates the findings into products, bringing cutting-edge research into the daily lives of hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide.

From Population Insights to AI-Powered R&D: Advancing Precision "Anti-Fatigue Aging"

Skin aging is a perennial focus of skincare research, but how aging occurs—and how best to address it—varies among populations. At this year's IFSCC Congress, CHANDO Group presented its latest research conducted in collaboration with two leading Chinese institutions.

Historically, global skin-aging research has relied predominantly on Western study populations, leaving limited systematic longitudinal evidence on the characteristics, timing and contributing factors of skin aging among Chinese consumers. To help address this gap, CHANDO Group and the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a two-year longitudinal cohort study quantifying facial skin phenotypes in a Chinese population. The study systematically compared facial-aging phenotype data collected from more than 5,000 Chinese participants over the five-year period from 2018 to 2023 and identified changes in the aging inflection points of six major types of wrinkles. The findings showed that facial wrinkle aging among Chinese women in recent years has tended to begin earlier, progress more rapidly and enter a period of accelerated aging sooner. ^[1]

The study also identified trends toward shorter sleep duration and earlier initiation of smoking and alcohol consumption, suggesting an increase in fatigue-related lifestyle patterns. For the first time, the researchers quantified the differing effects of insufficient sleep, smoking and alcohol consumption on specific types of wrinkles ^[1], finding significant associations between multiple fatigue-related lifestyle factors and the earlier appearance of facial wrinkles. These findings not only add to scientific understanding of skin aging among Chinese consumers but also support a shift from generalized anti-aging approaches toward what CHANDO Group describes as "precision anti-fatigue aging"—targeted interventions informed by specific lifestyle factors and wrinkle types.

Building on these insights into aging among Chinese consumers, CHANDO Group has applied AI to reshape its ingredient R&D process. Conventional active-ingredient discovery often relies on experience-based screening, making it time-consuming and inefficient. In collaboration with the ACRDC R&D Center at the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, CHANDO Group established an AI-driven peptide discovery platform. Using AI-powered computational biology, the platform screened and optimized candidates from more than 2.8 million yeast proteins, ultimately identifying the new ingredient HiMurchaSin™ Super Anti-Aging Peptide. By targeting PGC-1α, a key regulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism, the ingredient promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and energy production to support precision anti-fatigue aging. It has already been incorporated into the seventh generation of CHANDO's Super Anti-Aging Little Purple Bottle, launched in April 2026.

CHANDO Group is also expanding its research in longevity science. Its latest study identified, for the first time in the skin of Chinese women, the epigenetic regulator microRNA-1290 as a key epigenetic "switch" involved in photoaging-related telomere depletion. Following UV exposure, microRNA-1290 was significantly upregulated, weakening telomere protection and accelerating skin aging. Treatment with a Himalayan-derived HiMurchaSin filtrate + lysate significantly reversed this effect, helping protect telomeres and delay photoaging. The findings provide scientific support for the underlying anti-aging activity of HiMurchaSin™ and point toward a more targeted, epigenetic approach to addressing skin aging.

Harnessing Himalayan Resources for Sustainable Skincare Innovation

At this year's IFSCC Congress, CHANDO Group also presented its latest advances in ingredient science. The Himalayas are both the birthplace of the CHANDO brand and a foundation of its scientific research. Drawing on the region's distinctive extremophile resources, CHANDO has developed an integrated ingredient-development process spanning ecological resource exploration and collection, green process development and scientific efficacy validation.

From yeast extracellular vesicles and yeast-derived PDRN to Saussurea laniceps callus and rose extracellular vesicles, a growing portfolio of innovative ingredients sourced from the Himalayas is continually expanding the possibilities of skincare science.

Yeast was an early focus of this research. Using distinctive microbial resources from the Himalayas, CHANDO Group developed a sustainable yeast-derived PDRN ingredient. Conventional PDRN is typically derived from salmon sperm, while the molecular structure of CHANDO Group's yeast-derived PDRN more closely resembles human DNA and demonstrated stronger effects in promoting cell regeneration and collagen production. The ingredient has already been used in flagship products including CHANDO's Super Anti-Aging Little Purple Bottle Essence Cream and Peptide Essence Long-Wear Cushion Foundation. 

Plant callus culture technology also offers a sustainable way to harness rare high-altitude plants. CHANDO Group has developed Saussurea laniceps callus as the world's first new skin-brightening ingredient derived from the Saussurea genus. Saussurea laniceps is a rare species native to high-altitude areas of the Himalayas and is classified in China as a nationally protected Class II endangered wild plant. With the required approval, CHANDO Group's plant-ingredient R&D team used plant tissue culture technology to cultivate the material in the laboratory, overcoming the limitations of reliance on wild harvesting while enabling standardized, scalable production. Research showed skin-brightening activity at multiple levels, including cellular and protein levels ^[2], with multi-target inhibition of melanin production as well as antioxidant and skin-repair effects. The approach addresses limitations associated with conventional brightening ingredients that rely on a single target or high concentrations. Extracellular vesicles derived from high-altitude Rosa callus also exhibit multiple skincare activities, including barrier repair, anti-inflammatory and soothing effects, and protection against photoaging and loss of firmness. In addition, Nardostachys callus has demonstrated superior oil-control, hair-loss prevention and hair-follicle nourishment effects compared with wild-grown Nardostachys ^[3].

This approach enables consistent, scalable production of highly active ingredients without harvesting wild plants. As sustainability becomes an increasingly important priority for the global beauty industry, CHANDO Group is using callus culture technology to develop effective skincare ingredients while reducing reliance on wild plant resources.

In pigmentation management, CHANDO Group has focused on Asian consumers' demand for safe, natural-looking skin brightening. A synergistic approach combining snow lotus callus with matsutake mushroom and niacinamide moves beyond conventional single-target brightening strategies, supporting gentler, more sustainable improvements in skin-tone evenness and radiance and providing a scientific basis for the development of safe and effective multi-ingredient brightening serums.

Beyond Facial Skincare: From Scalp Health to Fragrance and Sensory Science

CHANDO Group's research now extends well beyond facial skincare into a broader range of personal-care and wellness applications.

At this year's IFSCC Congress, the Group expanded its skin-science research into scalp care. Moving beyond conventional anti-hair-loss approaches based on broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity or a single probiotic, CHANDO Group proposed a new approach centered on maintaining microbial balance, using targeted modulation of the scalp microbiome to support anti-hair-loss efficacy. ^[4]

In women's intimate care, CHANDO Group presented research from its recent expansion into women's health. The Group investigated the use of probiotic extracellular vesicles to regulate the microbiome, exploring a gentle, safe and long-lasting approach to intimate care.

In facial and body cleansing, CHANDO Group addressed a familiar consumer concern: achieving effective cleansing without compromising the skin. The Group unveiled a new formulation technology combining a bicontinuous-phase system with selective cleansing to remove excess oils and impurities while preserving beneficial skin lipids. The concept positions cleansing not as the end of a skincare routine, but as its first step. The technology has already been applied across cleansing products from the CHANDO and Biorrier brands. 

The research presented by CHANDO Group at this year's IFSCC Congress also extends into the growing field of fragrance and sensory science. Working with university researchers, the Group is exploring how fragrance can move beyond sensory appeal to deliver measurable functional benefits. Addressing fatigue-related concerns including poor sleep and low energy, the Group has drawn on its Himalayan research—from Nyingchi peach blossom to Himalayan fir—to scientifically evaluate the effects of fragrance ingredients and investigate their potential contribution to physical and emotional well-being. 

Advancing Chinese Beauty Innovation Through Technology

At the 2025 IFSCC Congress in Cannes, France, Chinese companies ranked second worldwide in oral presentations and first in poster presentations. That same year, China secured the right to host the 2032 IFSCC Congress, reflecting the growing international profile of Chinese cosmetics research. 

As a leading Chinese beauty company with 12 years of participation in IFSCC, CHANDO Group has both witnessed and contributed to this evolution. From its first accepted paper to its 79th, and from Himalayan extremophile resources to AI-driven precision R&D, the Group has continued to bring original Chinese cosmetics research to the international scientific community through an integrated, independently developed R&D system.

CHANDO Group's R&D Center combines independent research with global collaboration across fundamental research, ingredient development, formulation innovation and clinical validation, with a focus on three core disciplines: skin science, ingredient science and product science.

The acceptance of 20 CHANDO Group research papers at IFSCC 2026 in Perth marks another milestone in the Group's R&D journey. Looking ahead, the Group will continue to increase its investment in research and development and pursue original scientific breakthroughs as it contributes to the evolution of China's beauty industry from "Made in China" to "Created in China."

[1] Findings from research jointly conducted by CHANDO Group and the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences China National Radio report: https://www.cnr.cn/shanghai/tt/20260424/t20260424_527598222.shtml?f_link_type=f_linkinlinenote&flow_extra=eyJpbmxpbmVfZGlzcGxheV9wb 3NpdGlvbiI6MCwiZG9jX3Bvc2l0aW9uIjowLCJkb2NfaWQiOiI0ZTZjMDZjNGE2YWNlZDQ3LTBkMTJjNWFhNDJmNDY5ZmUifQ%3D%3D&use_xbr idge3=true&loader_name=forest&need_sec_link=1&sec_link_scene=im&theme=light

[2] SHU H, WANG L, TANG X, et al. Construction of a scalp microecological balance-oriented anti-hair loss system. International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, Perth, Australia. 2026. Poster No. 1067.

[3] LI H, REN H, QU Y, et al. Glacial water culture optimizes sustainable production of Saussurea laniceps callus: From phytochemical composition to in vitro/in vivo efficacy validation. International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, Perth, Australia. 2026. Poster No. 734.

[4] LI H, REN H, ZHOU Q, et al. Tissue culture-based sustainable development of Nardostachys jatamansi callus: Extract preparation and comprehensive evaluation of hair care potentials. International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, Perth, Australia. 2026. Poster No. 733.

^[1] Findings from research jointly conducted by CHANDO Group and the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences
China National Radio report:
https://www.cnr.cn/shanghai/tt/20260424/t20260424_527598222.shtml?f_link_type=f_linkinlinenote&flow_extra=eyJpbmxpbmVfZGlzcGxheV9wb
3NpdGlvbiI6MCwiZG9jX3Bvc2l0aW9uIjowLCJkb2NfaWQiOiI0ZTZjMDZjNGE2YWNlZDQ3LTBkMTJjNWFhNDJmNDY5ZmUifQ%3D%3D&use_xbr
idge3=true&loader_name=forest&need_sec_link=1&sec_link_scene=im&theme=light

^[2] SHU H, WANG L, TANG X, et al. Construction of a scalp microecological balance-oriented anti-hair loss system. International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, Perth, Australia. 2026. Poster No. 1067.

^[3] LI H, REN H, QU Y, et al. Glacial water culture optimizes sustainable production of Saussurea laniceps callus: From phytochemical composition to in vitro/in vivo efficacy validation. International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, Perth, Australia. 2026. Poster No. 734.

^[4] LI H, REN H, ZHOU Q, et al. Tissue culture-based sustainable development of Nardostachys jatamansi callus: Extract preparation and comprehensive evaluation of hair care potentials. International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) Congress 2026, Perth, Australia. 2026. Poster No. 733.

 

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CHANDO Group Presents 20 Research Papers at IFSCC 2026 Congress in Perth