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Swissnex – Hong Kong
Connecting Switzerland, HK and the broader GBA across science, technology, innovation and education.
Mission and value
Swissnex – Hong Kong is the Swissnex presence in Hong Kong, part of the global Swissnex network and of Swissnex in China.
Our mission is to support our partners’ outreach and active engagement in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent. As part of the broader Swissnex network, we contribute to strengthening Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading hotspot of innovation.
In response to growing interest from Swiss stakeholders in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, Swissnex in China has established a specialized team to serve as a connector for partners whose interests are specifically focused on the region.
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Connecting stakeholders to the innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong and the broader Greater Bay Area
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Advising on trends and opportunities in science, education and innovation specific to Hong Kong’s distinct institutional context
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Promoting the visibility of Swiss higher education institutions, startups and other partner organizations in Hong Kong and the broader GBA
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Inspiring new ideas through knowledge exchange
Overview of HK and the wider GBA landscape
Understanding Hong Kong: One Country, Two Systems as an Opportunity
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China. It operates under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, which gives it a distinct legal, institutional and regulatory environment from mainland China.
Hong Kong offers a common-law legal system, its own currency, a separate customs territory, and distinct immigration arrangements. It also maintains its own education and research policies and a robust personal-data protection framework. Incorporation or approval in Hong Kong does not automatically provide access to the mainland market, but it provides a highly familiar, secure, and internationally oriented environment for companies to establish operations, sign agreements, recruit global talent, and pursue research collaboration. It serves as an ideal sandbox and launchpad, allowing Swiss entities to test, pilot, and scale their innovations in Asia.
The Greater Bay Area: A Region of Eleven Cities
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) brings together Hong Kong, Macao and nine cities in Guangdong, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan. As highlighted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou science and technology cluster is ranked first globally in the Global Innovation Index.
For Swiss partners, the GBA offers an unparalleled, full-stack innovation corridor. It combines Hong Kong’s international research excellence—evidenced by its 5 universities in the QS Top 100 and its 70% of research recognized as internationally excellent—with the vast manufacturing capabilities and industrial policy support of mainland GBA cities. The region represents a massive market, offering a wider range of universities, research centers, customers, and industrial networks to explore.
The HK Innovation Ecosystem
For Swiss startups, researchers, and institutions looking to establish a presence, Hong Kong offers a highly dense and well-supported innovation ecosystem. Our team helps navigate this landscape and connects you with the right stakeholders.
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Government and Policy
InvestHK: Provides free, confidential government support for overseas businesses considering establishment or expansion in Hong Kong, acting as a first point of contact. Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC): The government body funding and driving R&D initiatives, helping bridge upstream university research with downstream industrial development.
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R&D and Incubation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP): The primary hub for deep-tech and life-science enquiries. It offers extensive R&D infrastructure, incubation programmes, and technology commercialisation support. Cyberport: A vibrant digital-technology ecosystem focused on areas such as AI, fintech, and smart living, offering incubation, business networks, and corporate collaboration opportunities. Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP): Located at the Lok Ma Chau Loop, this cross-boundary park is designed to facilitate R&D and collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with its first facilities now opening in phases.
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Academia
Leading Universities: With 5 universities in the global top 100 (including HKU, CUHK, HKUST, and PolyU), Hong Kong is a powerhouse of research. These institutions actively run their own incubators, tech-transfer offices, and entrepreneurship programmes, offering startups access to talent and cutting-edge labs. Research Centres: Specialized research centres (such as those under the InnoHK initiative) connect local universities with global research institutions to drive applied R&D.
News & events
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2026 Culture for the Planet Summit – Public Conversation: Culture Leads the Transition
November 6, 2026This half-day M+ summit unites global cultural leaders – from Guggenheim Bilbao to Sydney Opera House – to turn sustainability ambition into practical institutional action, and to build cross-border partnerships that outlast the event.
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Hong Kong’s Higher Education and Research Landscape: Global Links and the Greater Bay Area
October 15, 2026The tertiary education system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is one of the most prestigious ones in the world. An overview.
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New Momentum for Swiss-Hong Kong Research and Innovation Collaboration
September 23, 2026The Swiss–Hong Kong Research & Innovation Reception brought together senior representatives from academia, government, and the research and innovation community. Jointly hosted by Swissnex and the University of Zurich’s (UZH) Leading House Asia Pacific, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, the event highlighted existing ties and explored new opportunities for cooperation in research, education, and innovation.
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Switzerland–Hong Kong Dialogue on Robotics and Automation Innovation
April 17, 2026This event, part of the Sino-Swiss Innovation Days, highlights Hong Kong’s strategic role as a global bridge for robotics innovation, technology transfer, and cross-border collaboration.
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DACH Startup Pitch Night Hong Kong – Second Edition
April 15, 2026Get ready for an evening of innovation, inspiration, and connection! The second edition of the DACH Pitch Night in Hong Kong is back, bringing together the brightest startup minds from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland right to the heart of Asia's most dynamic business hub.
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First swisstech booth at JumpstarterHK
April 14, 2025This March, six Swiss startups headed to Hong Kong to represent Swiss innovation and entrepreneurship at JumpstarterHK, one of Asia’s leading gatherings for startups, corporates, investors, and innovation leaders.
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swisstech @JumpstarterHK 2025
March 26, 2025 — March 27, 2025Swissnex in China is proud to launch the swisstech booth at the DACH Pavilion during JumpstarterHK from 26-27 March, 2025.
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The Hong Kong innovation ecosystem, opportunities and challenges
December 16, 2024As a major business hub in the traditional economy Hong Kong punches well above its weight. As a startup ecosystem it's rising fast but still in the making. After a series of tough years, the city is making a strong bet to bring its innovation ecosystem to the next level. In this post we explore the current trends and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
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Future Hospitals, Vol. 3 – Swiss-Hong Kong Dialogue on Pioneering Surgical Technologies
November 11, 2024Join us for the Swiss-Hong Kong Dialogue during Swiss Month in Hong Kong where we will be exploring the medtech ecosystem and its exciting opportunities. Hong Kong, as a top healthcare market in Asia, provides an excellent platform for Swiss innovation. This event will also delve into key advancements in healthcare and foster discussions on the latest innovations shaping the industry's future.
Opportunities for Swiss stakeholders
Gateway to Asia: A strategically located base to access the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and wider Asian markets
Distinct Legal & Business Environment: A common-law system, separate customs territory and currency under “One Country, Two Systems.”
World-Class R&D: 5 universities in the QS Top 100 and strong government support for research and innovation.
Capital Markets: Access to a financial hub with private VCs, family offices, corporate venture capital, and government co-investment funds.
IP Protection: A robust legal framework for intellectual property, with the regional cluster ranked #1 in the WIPO Global Innovation Index.
Government Support: Dedicated agencies and programs (like InvestHK and HSITP) offering funding, infrastructure, and landing support.
Cross-Boundary Collaboration: Proximity to Shenzhen’s manufacturing and tech ecosystem, enabling rapid prototyping and scale-up.
The HK team
Josephine Lo
Josephine is in charge of innovation scouting in Hong Kong and connects our education, research, and innovation stakeholders with the local ecosystem. She helps them navigate the Greater Bay Area to make the most of their visits.
Before joining Swissnex, Josephine was active in fundraising, commercialization, and overseas expansion for a agritech startup working on hydroponics. Prior to that, she worked at a property developer across Hong Kong and Shanghai with a focus on portfolio management and customer innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology, with a minor in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, from the University of Hong Kong.
Before joining Swissnex, Josephine was active in fundraising, commercialization, and overseas expansion for a agritech startup working on hydroponics. Prior to that, she worked at a property developer across Hong Kong and Shanghai with a focus on portfolio management and customer innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology, with a minor in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, from the University of Hong Kong.
Ylva Freihofer
Ylva brings nearly two decades of experience in international relations, trade and investment promotion, public diplomacy, and cross-sector partnerships. Before joining Swissnex, she served as Business Advisor and Head of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Sweden in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she worked with governments, businesses, the EU, and the OECD on sustainable economic development and responsible supply chains. She previously held leadership positions at the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., and the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce in Zurich and New Delhi. A Swiss-Swedish national with a degree in political science from the University of Geneva, Ylva has lived and worked across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.