The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (Toronto ETO), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and StartmeupHK (SMUHK) promoted Hong Kong as an ideal place in Asia for innovation and technology (I&T) start-ups to grow their business during the technology conference Collision 2023 held in Toronto from June 26 to 29 (Toronto time).

     With the support of the Toronto ETO, InvestHK and SMUHK hosted a Masterclass titled "Fintech, Web3, Virtual Assets (VA) Startup Opportunities in Hong Kong" on June 28 (Toronto time) at Collision 2023. In delivering the welcoming remarks at the Masterclass, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, first introduced to the audience that Hong Kong is well positioned as a leading hub for Web3 in Asia and beyond. "Hong Kong is a highly dynamic city that serves as the perfect platform into the Mainland of China and Asia," Ms Mo said. "The city's robust regulatory framework ensures investor protection while promoting innovation and fostering a healthy marketplace."

     Ms Mo noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to the development of Web3, fintech, artificial intelligence and VA. "We have issued a policy statement on the development of VA in Hong Kong and will allocate new funding to accelerate the development of the Web3 ecosystem. We are working on the regulatory regime," Ms Mo said. "We also introduced measures to nurture, retain and attract a wide range of talents to connect innovation and Hong Kong's traditional strengths like finance."

     Other speakers at the Masterclass included the Head of SMUHK at InvestHK, Ms Jayne Chan, who also delivered the opening remarks at the Money Conference of Collision; the Head of InvestHK in Canada, Mr Christopher Chen; Co-Founder and the Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands in Hong Kong, Mr Yat Siu; and Co-founder & CEO of WHub, Ms Karena Belin. They gave an insightful review about the Web3, fintech and VA start-up environment and opportunities in Hong Kong.

     Besides the Masterclass, a booth hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and supported by the Toronto ETO, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, InvestHK and SMUHK was set up at the conference attracting esteemed entrepreneurs and investors in the I&T sector to get information about leisure travel and business opportunities in Hong Kong.

     On June 29 (Toronto time), the Toronto ETO and InvestHK supported HKG DAO and AceDAO to host a Web3 Founders "Collision Closing Party" for Web3 founders and investors. A fireside chat between Ms Chan, Mr Siu, Ms Belin and Co-host of Collision 2023/RISE, Mr Casey Lau, was held to discuss the vibrant Web3 ecosystem in Hong Kong.

     In addition, one of the semi-finals of the Global Scaleup Competition, a cornerstone event of InvestHK's Hong Kong Fintech Week 2023, was held in Toronto on June 28 (Toronto time). The competition brought together fintech and AI companies which sought to enter the grand finale to be held in Hong Kong in November 2023.

     The Collision conference in Toronto is North America's fastest-growing I&T conference. This year, it welcomed almost 40 000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors and I&T professionals from around the world.

Ends/Friday, June 30, 2023
Issued at HKT 8:55

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