HKUST Annual Report 2024-2025

31 L A B T O M A R K E T Our role in fostering a vibrant start-up culture was highlighted through a series of high-profile events like the iconic Unicorn Day and Industry Engagement Day Plus, which attracted thousands of visitors and solidified our position as a hi-tech hot spot. Among our alumni entrepreneurial network, the HKUST Founders’ Club has also grown to 230 fellows and members. The four-day E-25th Entrepreneurship Carnival further spotlighted our entrepreneurial spirit, featuring 100 HKUST-related start-ups, attracting 3,500 visitors and connecting with over 200 founders. Internationally, HKUST once again shone at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, the Consumer Electronics Show in the U.S., and the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival. Our growing reputation as a global incubator also drew attention in the Middle East, where we participated in major events such as Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative and the Dubai Future Forum. PROACTIVELY MOVING INGENUITY AHEAD With intellectual property (IP) playing a key role in transitioning research to real-world implementation, HKUST maintained an impressive pace for IP and licensing outcomes during 2024–25. The University recorded 324 invention disclosures, 523 patent applications filed, and 109 new IP licenses executed. This momentum was reflected in a record 238 active license agreements, which generated HK$12.9 million in IP income. HKUST was also a top scorer in the Times Higher Education (THE)’s 2025 industry index, complementing its No.1 position in China under the Nature Index patent influence metric (2022). To sustain this momentum, we aligned our IP portfolio with top-tier international institutions by joining the University Alliance in Talent Education Development to foster co-development and long-term innovation ecosystems.