Helping fast-growing companies seize opportunities in the Greater Bay Area through recognizing and promoting their success

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 14 June 2019 - Deloitte today announces the launch and start of applications for its second Hong Kong Technology Fast 20 (TF20) and Rising Star programs, which identify fast-growing companies with high business potential and provide a platform for them to share their success stories, with a focus on seizing new opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

Thisyear, Deloitte is pleased to join forces with Strategic Partners Hong KongCyberport (Cyberport) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation(HKSTP), and Diamond Sponsors Prizm Group and Spark Ventures. Other supportingorganizations include Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Beyond Ventures, Hong KongExchanges & Clearing (HKEX) and Radiant Tech Ventures Ltd.    

DeloitteHong Kong TF20 Program Leader, Markets & Global Network Partner Philip Law says, "Fast-growingtechnology companies are new drivers of Hong Kong's transformation hub underthe Greater Bay Area development blueprint. To support these companies, we havemade TF20 as a platform to promote their market eminence, meet successfulcounterparts and connect with investors."

"TF20 is a globally recognizedprogram because companies are judged by using Deloitte's stringent evaluationmethodology, which is based on criteria including revenue growth rather thanintangible business concepts or ideas. Many of our previous winners have becomeleaders in their industries, backed by solid business models, proprietarytechnologies and shrewd management."

Winners of the Hong KongTF20 will be eligible to participate in the Deloitte China TF50, a programwidely recognized as "the Oscars for high technology companies". Itsnotable winners include Tencent, Baidu and Alibaba. With its genesis in SiliconValley in 1995, the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program has since beenreplicated in many countries and territories, becoming the yardstick for fastgrowing technology companies worldwide.

Chairmanof Cyberport Dr. George Lam adds, "We are delighted to becomethe strategic partner of Deloitte Hong Kong TF20 and Rising Star programs againafter similar collaborative efforts in 2017. The Cyberport community achievedfruitful results in the previous program. Our incubatees KLOOK, TNG and Oriiwere named Rising Star 2017 while GOGOVAN ranked top 3 in Hong Kong TF 20. Iwould encourage Cyberport digital tech start-ups to actively participate inthis year's program and I hope to see them achieving good performance again andthrough Deloitte's platform better seizing the opportunities arising from theGreater Bay Area development."

Chairmanof Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Dr. Sunny Chai says, "We are delighted tobe the strategic partner of Deloitte Hong Kong Tech Fast 20 for the second timeand look forward to supporting promising tech companies emerging from this program.We have seen Science Park companies making big strides since winning at TF20.The 2017 Deloitte Hong Kong Tech Fast winner, SenseTime is now the world's mostvaluable AI unicorn; and GRST Holdings and Sanomics, which were Deloitte Hong KongRising Stars of 2017, have respectively won this years' the Grand Prix of theInternational Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva and become the first Hong Kongbiotech startup to open a Bangkok offshoot as a gateway into the ASEAN markets.Through our collaboration with Deloitte, we will further extend our efforts insupporting incubatees and partner companies to thrive and building a vibrantinnovation and technology ecosystem together."

Directorof Prizm Group Jeff Hau, says, "Prizm is excited to sponsorthe Deloitte Hong Kong TF20 program, working together to support tech start-upsin the region. In the tech arena, reacting quickly to market needs is essentialfor success, but being passionate and adhering to your company's goals are justas important. Prizm shares this belief because we have come a long wayourselves. Being curious and constantly learning is another aspect of stayingcompetitive in tech. These programs are a great platform to learn from industryexperts and past winners. We look forward to exchanging ideas with risingstart-ups and accelerating development of the tech ecosystem in Hong Kong."

Founderof Spark Ventures Vincent Law says, "It's been great to seeDeloitte step up its support for startups in the last few years. As a Hong Kong-basedventure capital fund, Spark Ventures is also a strong supporter of Hong Kongstartups, and we are delighted to sponsor the Deloitte Technology Fast 20Program (TF20) and Rising Star Program in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has amultitude of top-quality startups. The TF20 program recognizes and profilesthese fast-growing companies with viable business models and encourages thedevelopment of the most innovative and promising industries in Hong Kong. Welook forward to supporting the startups and helping Hong Kong innovators turntheir ideas and visions into successful companies."

The Hong Kong TF20 Program welcomesapplications from fast growing companies and technology firms in China, HongKong and Macau with at least three years of business operations and operatingrevenue of at least HKD 1,200,000 during the 2016 fiscal year. With a shorterbusiness history, companies can join the Deloitte Hong Kong Rising Star Programby providing a written description of their background, management team, corecompetencies, business model, products, technologies, industries and marketrecognition. 

For moredetails about the Hong Kong TF 20 Program and Hong Kong Rising Star Program andhow to enroll, visit here. Thedeadlines for enrolment is 15 August 2019.

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