On April 28, Hong Kong-based startup Skyland Innovation was named the overall 2023 champion of the 7th Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC) by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), beating over 610 startups from 55 economies around the world.

In the competition that was held at the sky100 at the top of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in West Kowloon, the proptech startup won a grand prize of US$ 90,000.

Along with all 50 semi-finalists, it also qualifies to be considered by the HKSTP Venture Fund for additional investment deals. If selected, each company can potentially receive up to a maximum investment of US$5 million.

Skyland Innovation aims to help property owners and contractors to coordinate and communicate seamlessly on construction sites through the use of robotics and AI.

The startup is a spinoff from the Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics (HKCRC) within the government-backed AIR@InnoHK research cluster located at Hong Kong Science Park.

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It offers a data collection system enabled by real-time 3D modelling technology that allows users to record complete 3D information in colour throughout the whole project lifetime, which makes data backtracking for any point possible, including concealed works.

“For example, the current function that we already achieved allows me to take a walk around the room and create a 3D model of the space, directly available on my laptop or my phone. Then I can do measurements on my laptop of, for example, the angle surface or the volume that the platform automatically calculated for me,” explains Jessy Wang of Skyland Innovation at a media briefing that e27 attended.

“The next step of this app’s development is that we want to do some more AI algorithm development of this model.”

Skyland Innovation’s other solutions include self-developed hardware, software and algorithms. Its hardware includes three types of colour 3D scanners –handhold, autonomous robot and tower-crane-mounted versions– that can cover various scenarios in a building’s construction.

“By leveraging technology, we help the industry to record the construction progress, facilitate cooperation and minimise the cost of disputes,” the startup explains.

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A young and promising team

At the main event of EPiC 2023, part of the reasons why Skyland Innovation stood out from the rest is the young team that is running the company. Founded in April 2021, its team consists of Hong Kong university students and entrepreneurs.

After winning EPiC 2023, Skyland Innovations hopes to continue expanding its team.

“If we could draw the attention of more VCs, we’ll be able to get more money to turn [students who have actively participated in developing the platform] into our full-time employees, to build a solid team to really go deeper into our AI algorithm development,” Wang explains, adding that the company is also looking forward to acquiring a new office space that can cater the needs of its R&D team.

But Wang also states that the company wants to put a heavy focus on solving industry problem, instead of chasing VC funding.

“Our founding team is a very practical team. We’re saying that we’re not chasing this very hot money. We really want to have a tech that can really solve industry problems. So we are digging into what we find to be where the demand is,” she stresses.

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Connecting startups to Hong Kong

As the winner of EPiC 2023, Skyland Innovation went through a pitching process that includes having the participants pitched their business in a 60-second elevator ride at ICC, the tallest building in Hong Kong and was the fourth tallest in the world when it was completed in 2010.

Partnered with leading corporations Cathay, HSBC, MTR Lab, and global accelerator Plug & Play, the EPiC 2023 brought a judging panel that consists of the region’s top entrepreneurs, investors and innovation ecosystem leaders.

Competitors were split across the fintech and proptech categories with FinCrime Dynamics from the UK named the overall fintech category winner, and Skyland Innovation named the overall proptech winner from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong-based startup Canvasland was also voted by the public as the favourite pitch winner.

The competition attracted over 610 entries from 55 countries and cities across five continents. Over 75 per cent of contestants come from overseas, which the organiser stated as a record high proportion of overseas contestants and economies participation since 2016.

Startups joining EPiC 2023 can fully leverage the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong and HKSTP’s direct connections to over 1,000 investors and more than 300 corporate partners.

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Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is bringing together APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore this June 14-15. Learn more and get tickets here.

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