The StartmeupHK Festival 2020, scheduled for July 6 to 10, will transform its in-person event into a fully virtual experience, Invest Hong Kong announced today.

InvestHK called it an unprecedented move befitting the festival’s theme of start-ups and technology.

Featuring keynote addresses by renowned industry figures from around the world, exhibitions, investor matching and a jobs fair, the week-long startup events will be open to attendees across the globe for free, with additional paid premium sessions.

The festival will showcase the latest developments in smart cities, retail tech, artificial intelligence, fintech, lifestyle tech, and global startup trends and insights.

It represents a unique opportunity for startups, entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, students and government representatives to connect, exchange ideas and benefit from business opportunities in Hong Kong, the Mainland and elsewhere in Asia.

“Despite the challenges, Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem remains resilient,” Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Charles Ng said. “Our solid track record stands as a testimony to Hong Kong’s enduring appeal as a place for startups to settle, grow, launch and expand into other markets.”

He noted that the number of startups in the city reached 3,184 in 2019, up 21% year on year, while the number of people working in the sector grew 31% to 12,478.

“Hong Kong’s appeal as a startup hub extends to a wide variety of industries, with sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, supply chain management and logistics technology all having experienced phenomenal growth in recent years.”

Click here to follow the festival’s activities.