Hong Kong tech companies and start-ups have seized the limelight at the Viva Technology exhibition in Paris, Europe’s largest start-up and tech event which ran from 17 to 20 June.

20 tech companies and start-ups spanning AI and robotics, fintech, healthtech and greentech took part in the exhibition, joining over 14,000 global start-ups presenting visionary ideas and technologies to an audience of over 180,000 visitors and 3,600 investors from 171 countries and regions.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion was mounted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong Cyberport.

Several Hong Kong companies showcased at the fair achieved strong placements in its award categories. Hong Kong tech company Ailytics placed in the top 30 of the Viva Tech Innovations of the Year Award for its AI-powered video surveillance system. The company is in discussion with French electric company EDF to conduct a trial run of its safety and productivity surveillance product at EDF’s new power plants.

Braillic’s Augmented Reality system for surgery was placed in the Top 12 AI Tech Train category while three companies were finalists in the VivaTech for Change Award: Imsight Technology for its AI-powered cancer detection platform, OKOsix for its biodegradable plastic replacement material and VisMed Training for its medical training system using virtual reality.

Hong Kong fitness analytics start-up PointFit scored a win by announcing that its sweat monitoring technology will be integrated into a system run by French indoor training platform Kinomap. This will expand PointFit’s sales channels through Kinomap’s network.

Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder & CEO of Point Fit Technology Limited, said: “Apart from signing an MoU with Kinomap, we also linked up with a top European football club, and secured key partners that will help us to further penetrate the European market.”

Hong Kong SAR Government Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Professor Sun Dong attended the fair and said the Government has been actively attracting overseas and mainland tech enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, exemplifying Hong Kong’s important role as a superconnector helping mainland enterprises to go global.

This is the third time this year the HKTDC has organised delegations to take part in major international tech exhibitions after CES in Las Vegas in January and MWC Barcelona in March.

Aside from product displays and demonstrations, the Hong Kong pavilions were accompanied by a lively schedule of seminars, networking receptions and start-up pitching sessions.

Together, the initiatives have provided a valuable platform for start-ups to showcase innovation, attract investment and expand into overseas markets, while raising international awareness about Hong Kong’s vibrant start-up ecosystem.