20 fellows selected to join AIR program to pursue entrepreneur dream

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) proudly announced that 20 candidates have been selected successfully to join the ASTRI Innovation Runway (AIR) Entrepreneurship Fellow Program as fellows on the final pitch day held on 19 October 2015 under the witness of Ms Gigi Chui, Manager of Innovation and Technology Commission, Dr. Frank Tong, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI and Dr. Jack Lau, Chief Marketing Officer of ASTRI.

The judging panel, composed of Dr. Justin Chuang, Vice President and Group Director (VPGD) of Communications Technologies cum Acting Director of Software & Systems of ASTRI, Dr. Alan Lam, Group CEO of Sengital Limited, Ms Agnes Nardi, CEO of Business Environment Council Limited, Mr Jason Wong, Partner of Ernst & Young, and Ms Joelle Woo, Director of Microsoft Hong Kong Limited, found it hard to choose the top 20 fellows among the innovative proposals and inspiring presentations delivered.

Total 47 teams with 130 applicants of different backgrounds applied the program since its launching in August. With the effort of 25 screening judges that comprised experts from industries and ASTRI, 38 candidates from 10 potential projects had been shortlisted to present their innovations to the judging panel on the final pitch day. After the keen competition, 20 fellows were selected to be the AIR Program fellows. These fellows will work on 6 outstanding projects:
To embark the entrepreneurship journey, the 6 winning projects will be showcased in the ASTRI Industry and University Collaboration Forum (IUCF) on 18 November.

The AIR program aims to assist young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to start up their businesses. ASTRI will offer a monthly award, mentorship, networking activities, field trips, workshops, and trainings to the selected fellows to strengthen their capabilities in overcoming the obstacles at the initial stage of starting up, enabling them to purse their dream and develop their business successfully.

Judging panels and officials are delighted to see the spirits and passions of the candidates. (From left to right)
1) Dr. Alan Lam, Group CEO of Sengital Limited
2) Ms Gigi Chui, Manager of Innovation and Technology Commission
3) Ms Agnes Nardi, CEO of Business Environment Council Limited
4) Ms Joelle Woo, Director of Business Development & Developer Experience, Microsoft Hong Kong Limited
5) Mr Jason Wong, Partner of Ernst & Young
6) Dr. Jack Lau, Chief Marketing Officer of ASTRI
7) Dr. Justin Chuang, VPGD of Communications Technologies cum Acting Director of Software and Systems, ASTRI

AIR program candidates and judging panel on the final pitch day.