Event Highlight | LEAP East ( 8-10 July 2026)
(Source: Main Organizer)
From Left to Right
4th left: Prof. Sun Dong, The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
5th left: Mr. Abdullah Alswaha, The Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudia Arabia
5th right: Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, The Financial Secretary
and other guests at the ceremony
The three-day LEAP East 2026 was held from July 8 – 10 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring a diverse range of technological fields including artificial intelligence, deep tech, smart cities, fintech, digital infrastructure and new energy. The inaugural Asian edition of the Middle East’s flagship technology exhibition brought together global innovators, investors and industry leaders to foster cross-border collaboration and acceleration innovation between Asia and the Gulf Region. ⋅
Under the CUHK Pavilion, six innovation teams presented their cutting-edge technologies to an international audience of investors, industry leaders and policymakers. Spanning key strategic areas – Biotechnology, New Energy, Construction Technology (ConTech) and Smart Cities – the teams demonstrated CUHK’s robust research capabilities and strong translational impact across diverse sectors. Their participation underscores CUHK’s commitment to advancing knowledge transfer and fostering global partnerships, particularly with emerging markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC region).
LEAP East 2026 brough together over 25,000 participants, 340 speakers and 450 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, providing an influential platform for cross-border investment, business matching and technology exchange. The CUHK pavilion attracted considerable interest from Middle East investors and corporate representatives seeking innovative solutions aligned with regional priorities in sustainability, and advanced technologies.
In addition to the exhibition showcase, CUHK teams achieved notable recognition in the event’s flagship Rocket Fuel Competition. Two CUHK start-ups were shortlisted as semi-finalists, reflecting the University’s growing strength in entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of research outcomes. This achievement highlights the quality and market readiness of CUHK innovations on an international stage.
CUHK’s participation in LEAP East 2026 aligns with Hong Kong’s positioning as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework. By leveraging Hong Kong’s role as a gateway between Mainland China, Asia and the Middle East, CUHK continues to expand its global innovation footprint and cultivate strategic partnerships that translate research excellence into societal and economic impact.
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: Main Organizer)
(Source: Main Organizer)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
From Left to Right:
1st left: Mr. Kelvin Wong Ka Tat, Director, Knowledge Transfer Office, CUHK
2nd left: Prof. Sun Dong, The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Centre: Mr. Abdullah Alswaha, The Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudia Arabia
2nd right: Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, The Financial Secretary
(Source: Main Organizer)
From Left to Right
1st left: Mr. Abdullah Alswaha, The Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudia Arabia
Centre: Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, The Financial Secretary
1st right (Back row): Mr. Ivan Lee Kwok Bun, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
(Source: CUHK KTO)
Details: https://kto.cuhk.edu.hk/en/news-events/announcements/event-highlight-leap-east-8-10-july-2026
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