HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026 Concludes: Refined Motor Company Clinches Platinum Award with EV Conversion Solution

[BitAuto Local News] Jointly organised by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Sino Group, the Grand Final and Award Presentation Ceremony of the "HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2026" successfully concluded today at the Shaw Auditorium at HKUST, with the winners of all major awards officially announced. HKUST and Sino Group also announced the debut of the HKUST InnoBay 1M PLUS programme, transforming the event from a mere pitching competition into an ongoing incubation and tech transfer platform. The initiative offers high-potential teams application scenario integration, partner matchmaking, and proof-of-concept opportunities·accelerating the transition of innovative solutions from technical validation to commercial application.

This year's competition featured entries across artificial intelligence and smart living, life and health, as well as green tech and sustainability. Application scenarios extended across smart construction, medtech, clean energy, and sustainable transport, highlighting the capability of young entrepreneurs to address industry and societal demands through innovative scientific research. During the event, 15 shortlisted teams presented their innovations and engaged in in-depth exchanges with industry leaders, investors, and academics.

In the "HKUST Track", Refined Motor Company clinched the Platinum Award (Champion) with Hong Kong's only certified automotive EV conversion solution. The project focuses on curbing carbon emissions and extending vehicle service life, offering the market a commercially viable and sustainable green mobility solution. Advent Gene Therapeutics, developer of an AI-driven viral vector design platform, took the Gold Award (1st Runner-up)·its technology focuses on integrating experimental data to engineer novel viral vectors with targeted attributes·Syntrak secured the Silver Award (2nd Runner-up) with the world's first smart-heated motion-capture suit coupled with pro-tier coaching software, turning ski resorts into digital sports analysis platforms. The three winning teams will represent the Hong Kong regional contest, going head-to-head with winners from the Beijing, Shanghai, Foshan, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen regions in the Grand Final on 18 December to compete for the ultimate accolade, showcasing their innovations while unlocking cross-regional collaborative opportunities.

Angus Law, Founder of Refined Motor Company Limited

Meanwhile, in the "International Student Track", MirrorSpace Technology took the Platinum Award (Champion) with its plug-and-play embodied AI robotic module; Electromaim won the Gold Award (1st Runner-up) with a micro-hydroelectric power generation system built into building water supply pipelines· and Waveity secured the Silver Award (2nd Runner-up) with an efficient offshore wave energy generation system·

Keeping pace with global I&T trends· the competition introduced the "Transformative AI Award", "NextGen Biotech Award", and "Societal Influential Award" for the first time this year· encouraging participating teams to harness cutting-edge tech in tackling industry evolution and social challenges. These three awards went to Cresento, AdventGene Therapeutics, and BeyondCare, respectively; while the "Sustainability Impact Award" was claimed by Refined Motor Company.

An audience voting segment was specially introduced at the Grand Final, inviting attendees to vote for the most promising and impactful startup teams based on technical edge, business model, and commercial potential· Ultimately, Syntrak and Advent Gene Therapeutics from the "HKUST Track"· alongside Singapore's BAEPR from the "International Student Track", garnered the highest audience votes to take home the "Most Popular Award".

At the event, HKUST and Sino Group also announced the launch of the HKUST InnoBay 1M PLUS programme, further leveraging Hong Kong's strengths as an international I&T hub to bridge leading enterprises from Mainland regional contests with Hong Kong's industrial, financial, and commercial networks. The programme connects alumni teams, HKUST start-ups, industry partners, and investors, and is joined by Legislative Council Member (Kowloon East) the Hon Tang Ka-piu, Samsung Electronics, Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and the Smart City Consortium as ecosystem partners· Centred around "Smart City" as its inaugural theme, the programme aims to accelerate the deployment and commercialisation of high-potential innovations by identifying real-world use cases, pairing strategic partners, and driving proof-of-concept projects, empowering teams to use Hong Kong as a springboard to scale into global markets and shape a cross-regional collaborative innovation ecosystem.

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