This contest allows HKU undergraduates to present their project ideas and recruit prospective teammates. The process helps to improve students’ ability to effectively advocate an idea or proposal to a large group of audience. It also provides an opportunity and flexibility for students to form their own team and grow their community of interest and passion.
By taking part in the pitching events, students can:
- recruit prospective teammates to form student interest groups;
- link up with Faculty Supervisors and Advisors;
- improve your ability to effectively advocate an idea or proposal to a large group of audience;
- receive suggestions on areas of improvement for strengthening your soft and technical skills;
- gain support from Innovation Academy and Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing; and
- obtain a maximum of HK$100K funding support to further develop the idea.
To obtain the first-hand information about the contest, you are encouraged to join the briefing session. It covers crucial details and provide important reminders for all students who are interested. Details of the briefing session are as follows:
Date: November 23, 2023 (Thursday)
Time: 3:30-4:30pm
Venue: Conference Room, Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing One
Mode: Face-to-face or via Zoom
- All HKU undergraduates are welcome to join.
- Only shortlisted proposals will be invited to join the pitching in March 26, 2025.
The proposal can encompass any innovative ideas on
Innovative technology-related ideas for social good
Your ideas can fall into one or more of the followings categories:
- Design concept
- Hands-on projects
- Technology-related service-learning
- Product realization/application
- Interested students should submit the following documents via the link below:
- A one-minute video
- Cover Image
- A detailed proposal
- One-year budget plan
- Other information about your idea / proposal
- Submission deadline of proposal: March 2, 2025
- All proposals will be reviewed by an Assessment Panel and suggestions will be provided for improving the idea.
- All participants will be presented a “Certificate of Appreciation” in recognition of their participation in the activity.
- Only shortlisted proposals will be invited to pitch their idea in March 26, 2025, and will receive a Certificate of Merit.
- Potential impact
- Implementation
- Technology highlights
- Overall innovativeness
| Shortlisted Projects |
|---|
|
AR Glasses for Archaeologists |
|
Caretaker Connect App |
|
Float: Message in a Bottle to Connect with Native Speakers Worldwide |
|
Get your period |
|
NeuroHarbor |
|
Sixth Sense |
|
VRemind |
(The proposals are listed in alphabetical order. The presentation order will be announced before the pitching starts.)
- Only the shortlisted proposals will be invited to join the pitching in March 26, 2025.
- Each proposal will have 5 minutes to pitch his/her/their idea with up to 5 minutes for question and answer. The presentation and Q&A session will be conducted in English.
- Workshops will be organized in February to equip students with essential soft skills that are practical in pitching, as well as in academic and at workplace.
- Delivering Effective Presentation with Slide Deck and Video (February 8, 2025)
- Sharing by winners: How We Turned Ideas into Innovation (February 21, 2025)
| Date | Task |
|---|---|
|
Submission deadline of proposal |
By 11:59pm on March 2, 2025 (Sunday) |
|
Pitching Contest |
2:00-4:30 pm on March 26, 2025 (Wednesday) |
- A maximum of 3 proposals will be selected as winners and awarded a cash prize of HK$1,200. The winning proposals can further obtain a maximum of HK$100K funding support from the “Funding Scheme for student projects / activities by Tam Wing Fan Innovation Fund and Philomathia Foundation Innovation Fund” for development, subject to the approval by the Innovation Academy Steering Committee.
- “The Best Presenter” will be awarded a cash prize of HK$1,000.
- 7 proposals are shortlisted and they will give a 5-minute presentation and a 5-minute Q&A on March 26, 2025 (Wednesday) at Innovation Wing One, HKU
Attention Is the Key From BCI to Futurism
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology connects the human brain directly to machines, offering a unique way to study mind-technology interactions. By emphasizing BCI, we hope to inspire a futurism approach that bridges technological advancement and spiritual development. We’ve implemented BCI into drone technology, which AI will analyze the brainwave signals and gives an attention level. At certain attention level, the drone will fly. We hope our technology can help people to train their attention and spark interest in science concept behind our mind-controlling drone.
Digitoe
The Digitoe Smart Insoles project is partnered with HKU’s Orthopaedic Department at Queen Mary hospital, aiming to revolutionize foot health management through the integration of advanced sensor technology, mobile app feedback, and 3D printing. These smart insoles are designed to provide customized orthotic solutions that enhance foot health and alleviate pain, particularly for individuals with foot pain and improper posture.
EDVise
EDVise is a one-stop education consulting based on big data and AI algorithms to aid secondary school students in picking their future path. We found out that 80% of students today feel confused about their elective and JUPAS choices which will affect their future career choices, yet there are overwhelming amounts of resources in the market but none of them could cater individuals’ needs and preferences. Introducing EDVise, which can solve this through providing personalized LLM and database consulting services. We are aiming to launch EDVise by next year, wholesaling at $1080HKD/year to local secondary schools with retail options.
FemiLab
Sudden start of menses ( induced by change in concentration of female sex hormones ) without any sign is a common issue that causes a lot of troubles. Unfortunately, commercially available female sex hormones tests do not cover menses and most of them require labs and technical experts. Meanwhile , there is no domestic test for gynecopathies such as breast cancer and PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome , which can be diagnosed by using female sex hormones as biomarkers . So, we design a biosensor with an app that allows users to perform female sex hormones test at home, which determine whether menstruation will commence on the day users conduct the test as well as the risk of sex hormones related gynecopathies. Users will be alarmed if abnormal female sex hormones levels are detected. Apart from these, users can find useful information of women health and earn tokens by regular usage of the device and sharing personal data in the app.
GingTrolley – Revolutionizing In-Flight Waste Management with Smart Sustainability
GingTrolley is a GreenTech solution revolutionizing in-flight waste management for airlines and aircraft manufacturers. This innovative waste trolley features a modular design with specialized compartments for immediate separation of waste streams like plastics, paper, and liquids, ensuring recyclables maintain purity. Integrated IoT sensors track waste volume and type in real-time, transmitting data to a cloud platform for analysis. This data-driven approach provides insights into passenger behavior and waste generation patterns, optimizing resource allocation and informing targeted sustainability initiatives.
Beyond efficient sorting, GingTrolley enables data-driven decision-making, helping airlines quantitatively track progress toward ESG goals, reduce waste disposal costs, and improve recycling rates. By combining smart technology with a practical, adaptable design, GingTrolley transforms cabin waste management from a challenge into an opportunity for environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.
SmartSocks: AI-Based Wearables for Feet Pronation Sensing and Customised Calf Massage
1. Lightweight, portable, and low-energy socks using soft robotics for targeted massage relief.
2. Smart sensors to track user steps and AI-powered app that personalises massage settings.
3. Comparable price with existing products
SolaraWeave- The Future of Sustainable Real Estate Fabrics
Traditional green technology is often costly and difficult for everyday people to adopt. As a social enterprise, we aim to break this barrier by introducing an affordable perovskite-based flexible solar shading system, priced at just HKD 200. This low-cost, high-efficiency solution makes sustainable cooling and renewable energy accessible for smart homes, curtains, windows, charging stations, camping gear, shopping areas, government spaces, outdoor events, construction sites, and even umbrellas.
By scaling adoption across Hong Kong, our technology can significantly reduce citywide heat, lower energy consumption, and cut carbon emissions, contributing to a more livable urban environment. Unlike traditional solar panels, our lightweight, flexible fabric is easy to install and integrate into daily life.
Furthermore, this innovation supports local businesses and creates new job opportunities in production, sales, and installation. Through affordability, accessibility, and awareness, we empower everyone to take part in Hong Kong’s sustainable future.
The pitching team who receives the highest total scores in the “Structure of Pitch” and “Delivery of Pitch” wins “The Best Presenter” award.
Learn more about previous Pitching Contests
