Hong Kong hosts first LEAP East, drawing 35,000 global innovators

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 July 2026 - The inaugural LEAP East 2026 was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (8-10 July), gathering more than 35,000 technology professionals, policymakers and investors from 30 countries and regions. The three-day event, the first LEAP summit staged outside Saudi Arabia, featured over 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors and over 400 investors, covering cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities and new energy industries.

"This turnout speaks volumes about the global appeal of LEAP East and the strength of our shared vision," said Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) at the opening ceremony of the event. "I am particularly delighted to note that this conference will continue to be held in Hong Kong in the coming three years."

Other top government officials attending the opening ceremony included Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSARG and Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia.

The event underscored the deepening partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, and highlighted Hong Kong's role as a unique gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world.

"Hong Kong is perhaps the only city in the world that connects seamlessly to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world at the same time," Mr Chan said. "Working under the common law system, we have robust protection for intellectual property. As a free port, capital, goods, talent and data freely flow in and out of this city. Simple, low tax is a standing feature of our regime. And we are one of the safest, most stable cities anywhere in the world. These are the foundations on which businesses, talent and creativity thrive."

Mr Chan invited Saudi and Gulf enterprises to use Hong Kong as an international fundraising and risk-management platform, and expressed the HKSAR's commitment to further strengthening co-operation with Saudi Arabia in innovation, infrastructure, green technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and professional services.

"Innovation needs capital, and Hong Kong is where capital and ideas meet. This is the heart of our 'Finance+' strategy - using finance as a powerful enabler to drive the real economy," Mr Chan said.

(From fifth right) Financial Secretary of HKSARG, Paul Chan; the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Alswaha; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSARG, Professor Sun Dong, and other guests attend the LEAP East 2026 opening ceremony.

Professor Sun noted that the HKSARG's efforts in promoting innovation and technology (I&T) are bearing fruit. He said the number of start-ups in Hong Kong has surged by 40% since 2021, reaching 5,200 in 2025. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster was ranked first globally in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and Hong Kong ranked fourth globally in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025, and second globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026.

Hong Kong also topped the world in IPO (initial public offering) in 2025, with 119 listings raising some US$35 billion, including many world tech champions.

Professor Sun also met with Mr Alswaha to exchange views on I&T collaborations between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

"This international gathering reflects the rising global I&T momentum, and Hong Kong is proud to serve as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder' for international exchanges," Professor Sun said.

Meanwhile, Mr Chan revealed that he plans to lead a Hong Kong delegation to Saudi Arabia later this year, bringing leading companies in infrastructure, green tech, healthcare and advanced manufacturing, plus professionals in the finance, investment and professional services sector, to explore concrete projects and further partnership.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #LEAPEast #I&T #innovation

https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 August 2026 – Knitup, a design-to-manufacturing platform, is introducing a flexible production model tailored to the rapidly expanding global creator economy. As online creators move beyond basic print-on-demand merch, Knitup bridges the gap by offering custom, high-end knitwear with low barriers to entry.

Over 45% of online creators are diversifying revenue through direct product launches, but the creator apparel industry is still stuck in cheap screen-printed blanks that dilute premium IP. Top creators want to build fashion-grade consumer brands, but traditional fashion manufacturers requires high MOQs, long lead times, and technical literacy. High-end creators face a trade-off: basic promotional blanks or massive inventory risk on fashionable products. Knitup solves this by enabling creators with no technical know-how to go from idea to premium products with no minimum requirement. With the advantage of full creative freedom, zero inventory liability, and rapid replenishment cycles, creators can target the premium segment with offerings of BCI Cotton and sustainable merino wool sweaters and beanies, or even step into the luxury tier segment with cashmere cardigan, dresses and blankets.

"We created Knitup to empower the next generation of creators by making the capabilities of a fashion design house accessible," said Dorothy Pun, Founder of Knitup. "Creators and designers are enabled to make better products with minimal capital outlay. Brands and the planet are saved the burden of inventories. The world sees more creativity and innovation."

Knitup addresses bottlenecks around mass customization for any knitted products by automatically turning digital design into knitting data that goes straight to knitting machines. What usually takes hours can now take minutes.

Since launching its online design platform in 2022, Knitup has grown to serve over 1,000 brands, ranging from emerging labels to established global names. Key capabilities include:

• No Minimums: Produce exactly what the market demands, precisely when it wants it, helping eliminate excess inventory.
• Design Expression: Bring visuals to life, from detailed custom jacquards to classic solid stitches and crisp embroidery.
• Creation Process, Edited: Styles are visualized using high fidelity virtual samples. No waste even if users over-design and kill many styles. All costed instantly. Guilt-free and simple. Also a perfect tool to get consumers' feedback on social media.
• Sustainable Yarns: Access to environmental friendly materials that deliver both quality and great hand-feel.
• Agile Manufacturing: A frictionless three-week production lead time that allows brands to restock rapidly, introduce new styles at speed, or launch limited capsule collections in weeks.

From bold statement graphics to quiet luxury, Knitup makes conscious fashion accessible without sacrificing speed, quality, or creative expression.
Hashtag: #Knitup #CreatorCommerce #PremiumKnitwear

https://home.knitup.io/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Knitup

Knitup is a new kind of design-to-manufacturing platform that caters to everyone, from visionary artists and makers to small businesses and even large global corporations.

We bridge the gap between creativity and commerciality by enabling easy access to a complex knitwear supply chain. Our deep heritage in manufacturing, combined with cutting-edge technology and extensive know-how, unlocks a world of possibility for a creator, brand, or business.

Ultimately, we believe in the power of self-expression. By providing the tools and resources for anyone to bring to life high-quality and sustainable products, we enable creativity to flourish everywhere. From fostering vibrant communities built on shared stories and collaboration, to established corporations venturing out into new avenues.

** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **