US start-up scoops top prize at EPiC

DASH Systems, a US start-up that has designed an unpowered glider that drops and delivers parcels directly off a flying plane, won the US$140,000 investment fund at this year’s Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC)

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Over 1,000 people attended this year’s EPiC to witness the international start-up pitching competition in action. (Front row, front right to left) Dr David Chung, Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, The Government of HKSAR; Dr Sunny Chai, Chairperson, HKSTP; and Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer, HKSTP

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Published: 12:00pm, 2 Nov 2018Updated: 7:04pm, 6 Jan 2021

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DASH Systems, a US start-up that has developed an unpowered glider that drops and delivers parcels directly off a flying cargo aircraft, won the top investment prize award worth US$140,000 at the Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC) held at the sky100 of the ICC, the city’s biggest annual start-up pitching contest hosted by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), last Friday.

The competition attracted more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, venture capital firms, angel investors, industry players, incubators, accelerators and tech disruptors together. One hundred start-ups from all over the world with a focus on five technology areas: Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Fintech, Healthy Ageing, Smart City, and Next Generation Technology were selected from 591 entries.

Following an intense day of competition, including a 60-second pitch that took place in an actual ascending elevator and a three-minute pitch in front of the judging panel and a jam-packed audience, DASH Systems beat 99 other finalists from across the globe.

DASH Systems beat 99 other finalists from across the globe to be crowned champion and claim an investment prize worth US40,000.

“The large number of entries, diversity of participants and the enthusiasm they displayed throughout the competition pleasantly surprised us. With around 70 per cent of the 100 finalists coming from overseas, their overall quality is very high,” said Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTP.

The competition has become a great platform for Hong Kong to show its strength as an innovation and technology start-up hub to the international community. The eagerness and interest shown by the participating start-ups are equally matched by an increasing number of investors who have also shown interest in the competition, he added.

“Since Science Park was given the responsibility to promote innovation and drive entrepreneurship in Hong Kong through incubation and ecosystem development, we have so far nurtured over 500 start-ups and facilitated four IPOs. Our job is to give them an ecosystem in addition to Science Park itself.”