The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) led 20 local innovation and technology companies to Barcelona, Spain, achieving significant success at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and making their debut at the startup-focused 4 Years From Now (4YFN) 2026 event. This strategic participation enabled Hong Kong firms to demonstrate their research and development capabilities while accessing overseas markets and generating new partnership opportunities in Europe.
The delegation effectively showcased Hong Kong's innovative solutions across four key areas: Connectivity, Devices and Systems, Digital Transformation, and Ecosystem Partners. Through a dual-pavilion approach at both MWC and 4YFN, the companies engaged with global industry leaders and investors, creating opportunities for business collaboration, technology co-development, and investment. Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation at HKTDC, emphasized Hong Kong's commitment to becoming an international innovation and technology center, noting the region's strong mobile communications infrastructure and competitive edge in 5G/6G applications and AI integration.
Derek Chim, Head of Startup Ecosystem and Development at HKSTP, highlighted how MWC and 4YFN provided a global stage for Hong Kong innovators to validate solutions and gain visibility. The events featured networking receptions, themed talks, and pitching sessions that demonstrated Hong Kong's dynamic innovation ecosystem to European audiences. These interactions emphasized Hong Kong's unique advantages as both a "super-connector" and "super value-adder," positioning the city as a strategic springboard for international companies entering Asian markets while enabling local and mainland Chinese firms to expand globally.
International business leaders responded positively to the Hong Kong delegation's presentations. Alejandro Gallego, International Business Director of AMEC, noted that the Hong Kong Pavilions were "highly inspirational" and that exhibiting companies showcased "exceptionally innovative technological solutions," leading to concrete collaboration discussions. Jacobo Pérez-Soba, Manager of the Internationalisation Department at Madrid Chamber of Commerce & Industry, described Hong Kong companies' solutions as "highly forward-looking" with "outstanding technological advancement," expressing interest in upcoming tech events in Hong Kong for Spanish companies and startups.
The timing of this European outreach coincides with the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes technological innovation. HKTDC and HKSTP will continue collaborating to support local tech firms in "going global" through initiatives like the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, accelerating Hong Kong's innovation and technology development by building a vibrant, internationally competitive ecosystem. More information about HKSTP is available at https://www.hkstp.org.
The participating companies represented diverse technological specialties, with MWC exhibitors including Entoptica Limited in Devices & Systems, 2eSIX in Connectivity, and FreightAmigo Services Limited in Digital Transformation. At 4YFN, companies such as AIGM Limited in Digital Transformation, Cresento Limited in Devices & Systems, and GoGoChart Technology Limited in Digital Transformation demonstrated Hong Kong's broad technological capabilities. This comprehensive showcase across both major events reinforced Hong Kong's position as a leading international innovation and technology hub with particular strengths in next-generation connectivity and AI integration.
