The 15th Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum) and the 17th Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) concluded on December 5, 2025, after connecting thousands of international experts, business leaders, and innovators. Jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, these concurrent events underscore the critical role intellectual property and entrepreneurial ecosystems play in driving economic growth and cross-border collaboration.
The BIP Asia Forum welcomed over 3,300 attendees to explore how IP, with a global intangible asset value estimated at USD 80 trillion, can be leveraged for business expansion and financing. A key focus was on IP valuation, with Lewis Lee, Founder & CEO of Moat Metrics, noting that advances in AI and data are bringing the industry closer to systematically assessing IP value. The forum also dedicated sessions to sustainability, examining how IP strategies can support decarbonization goals. Krishna Singhania, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel of Maersk, emphasized the need to move beyond traditional IP ownership models to meet climate targets.
A significant development was the forum's first-ever "IP Go-Global Business Matching Session," hosted by the Intellectual Property Department to support Mainland enterprises seeking overseas expansion. Participants like Zoe Fang, CEO of Sichuan HangWan Cultural Communication Co. Ltd., highlighted plans to utilize Hong Kong's international legal services to navigate cross-border IP issues. International attendees, such as Mohamed Orikat, Founder and CEO of Voithy Tech Limited from the Middle East, received professional advice on patent registration and market entry, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a bridge to the Chinese Mainland and APEC markets. More information on the forum is available at https://bipasia.hktdc.com/en/.
Meanwhile, Entrepreneur Day, under the theme "Where Start-up Dreams Take Flight," attracted over 12,000 visits and facilitated more than 350 business matching meetings. The event showcased over 360 start-ups and projects across fields like AI, health tech, and sustainability. Dr. Ammar Mohammed Al Ojaili, Vice President of R&D and Innovation at OQ, noted the event's role in bringing together startups, universities, and industry players to discover innovative technologies. Discussions, such as the "T-Chat" session on deep tech commercialization, explored how innovators can leverage capital and international networks. YeYe Xiao of Hello Tomorrow praised the high quality of deep tech startups present, emphasizing Hong Kong's status as an innovation and technology hub. Details on E-Day can be found at https://eday.hktdc.com/en.
The events also highlighted initiatives like "Start-up Express International," which connects global founders with opportunities in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. During related sessions, participants discussed strategies for technology development and market expansion, viewing Hong Kong as a testing ground and springboard into broader markets. The HKTDC further solidified its support network by signing Memoranda of Understanding with organizations like Junior Chamber International Hong Kong and France-based Hello Tomorrow to provide mentorship and investor access for SMEs and young entrepreneurs. Information on the Start-up Express International program is available at https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/s/start-up-express-international.
The convergence of these events demonstrates Hong Kong's evolving role in facilitating IP-driven growth and startup innovation. By providing platforms for business matching, professional advice, and cross-border collaboration, they help enterprises unlock financing, navigate international expansion, and accelerate technology commercialization. This strengthens Hong Kong's position as a regional IP trading centre and a super-connector linking the Greater Bay Area with global markets, with implications for economic resilience and sustainable development worldwide.
