BESGO FoundRise Launch Ceremony on 31 Jan 2026

On 31 January 2026, CUHK Business School officially launched the GBA Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme — BESGO FoundRise at Cheng Yu Tung Building. The Scheme is funded by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Youth Development Commission, and is jointly organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong and CUHK Business School.

The Launch Ceremony marked an important milestone for the programme, as our 14 awarded start-up teams officially embarked on their entrepreneurship journey.

The ceremony began with an inspiring address from Professor Lin Zhou, Dean of CUHK Business School, who expressed sincere appreciation to HYAB for its steadfast support of youth entrepreneurship. Echoing BESGO — Business Education for Social Good, Professor Zhou highlighted that the FoundRise scheme is designed not only to help teams build sustainable ventures, but also to inspire them to create positive impact for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Professor Lin Zhou, Dean of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School

Following the Dean’s address, Ms. Chan Wing Man, MH, Convenor of the Action Group of the Youth Development Fund and Programmes, delivered the Opening Speech with a strong message on the Government’s sustained commitment to youth entrepreneurship. She underscored how public support aims to help young people turn ambition into action, and encouraged young founders to embrace the opportunities of the Greater Bay Area—stepping beyond familiar boundaries to broaden horizons, build capabilities, and grow through real market experience.

Ms. Chan Wing Man, MH - Convenor of the Action Group of the Youth Development Fund and Programmes

Another highlight of the event was the keynote delivered by Professor Allen Chan, Associate Vice-President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, who affirmed the University’s full support for BESGO FoundRise and expressed appreciation for the partnership that makes the scheme possible. He also offered a candid reminder that entrepreneurship is never a straight path—and encouraged teams to stay resilient when challenges arise.

Professor Allen Chan, Associate Vice-President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Following his keynote, the ceremony moved into 2 symbolic moments that marked the official start of the FoundRise journey. A ribbon-cutting took place on stage, officiated by Ms. Chan Wing Man, MH, Professor Lin Zhou, Professor Allen Chan, Professor Wilton Chau, and Dr. Fred Ku—a shared gesture that signified the collective commitment of government, academia, and industry partners to open new pathways for young founders. This was followed by a toasting ceremony, where our Guests of honour raised their glasses in celebration of the 14 awarded teams—an uplifting moment of encouragement and shared confidence in the entrepreneurial road.

The ceremony then proceeded to the Award Presentation for the 14 teams. Each team was invited to the stage to receive its cheque and certificate, formally welcoming the founders into the BESGO FoundRise community. The moment was recognising their potential, while also marking the beginning of a two-year journey of learning, building, and growing alongside mentors, partners, and fellow founders.

Meet the 14 Awarded Start-up Teams (in alphabetical order)

Education / Learning & Youth Development

AI EduPlus Company Limited – AI-enabled learning support for HKDSE and beyond, combining smart study tools with mentorship

Archi Studios Limited – architecture-based learning that empowers children to think logically, design with purpose, and build ideas into reality

My Andante Limited – a gamified piano-learning journey with smart practice tools and progress tracking

SmartQuest Education Company Limited – AI-powered question generation, marking, and learning analytics to enhance K–12 learning efficiency

TuringScript Tech Limited – handwriting analysis for intelligent, real-time Chinese character learning support

Health / Wellness / Community Impact

Brewthy Limited – functional coffee beverages fortified with protein and wellness supplements

FLUSI JP Limited – next-generation self-cleaning toilet technology to improve public hygiene

RuffieAI Technologies Limited – pet health-tech platform supporting veterinarians and proactive pet care

Tymis Limited – AR/AI-enabled sign language learning and communication support

VitaLibre Company Limited – reimagining community pharmacies as trusted hubs for personalised, preventative healthcare

Tech & Sustainability

EduPilot Limited – cross-border career navigation platform bridging HK and Mainland education/career pathways

Novatrek AR Limited – AR outdoor learning experiences that turn physical trails into educational adventures

ReMatrix Technology (Hong Kong) Company Limited (ReMatriX 重塑新科技) – scalable plastic upcycling solutions for sustainable industrial applications

TRIALCONNECT.IO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED – AI-enhanced legal research platform for precedent identification in the Greater Bay Area

In the closing remarks, Dr. Fred Ku, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) of CUHK Business School and Programme Director of BESGO FoundRise, reminded the awarded teams that entrepreneurship is not only about building a venture, but also about building the character to lead through uncertainty. He encouraged the founders to stay anchored in purpose as they grow—because the most enduring ventures are those that create value not just for markets, but also for people and society.

Dr. Fred Ku, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) of CUHK Business School and Programme Director of BESGO FoundRise

With a strong community standing behind these young entrepreneurs, we look forward to seeing the ventures grow steadily—turning bold ideas into meaningful impact for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Gratitude to Guests and Supporting Organisations

We extend our sincere gratitude to the following honoured guests for their valued support and participation (listed in alphabetical order by surname):

• Prof. Allen Chan, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer), The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Ms. Chan Wing Man, MH, Convenor of the Action Group of the Youth Development Fund and Programmes

• Prof. Wilton Chau, Adjunct Professor, Department of Finance, CUHK Business School

• Mr. Ken Cheung, President, CUHK Alumni Entrepreneurs Association

• Prof. Tina Choi, Adjunct Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering and CUHK Business School, CUHK

• Ms. Tricia Kwong, Project Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, CUHK Business School

• Dr. Ann Lau, Director, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, CUHK

• Mr. Alfred Leung, Senior Executive Manager, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB)

• Mr. Kenneth Leung，香港海粤集團有限公司董事總經理，廣東省韶關市政常委

• Mr. Francis Ngai, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Social Ventures Hong Kong

• Ms. Virginie Ostrowski, Chief Executive Officer, Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong

• Ms. Elaine Tam, Director, Office of Student Affairs, CUHK

• Mr. Albert Wong, Former Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)

• Prof. Jack Wong, Programme Director, Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management Programme, CUHK

• Mr. Kevin Wong, Deputy Director, Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services, CUHK

• Mr. Leslie Wong, Manager, Marketing and Communications Office, CUHK Business School

• Dr. YANG Guohua（杨国华博士）, 香港中文大学（深圳）教育基金会理事长、香港中文大学（深圳）党委副书记、校长办公室主任

• Prof. Benny Zee, Director, Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services, CUHK

• Ms. Yusi Zhao（赵雨思女士）, 香港中文大学（深圳）创新创意创业基地高级经理

• Prof. Lin Zhou, Dean, CUHK Business School

• Dr. Yuhua Zhou（周玉花博士）, 香港中文大学深圳研究院项目发展部项目经理

We also express our heartfelt thanks to the following organisations and supporting units for their valued support and participation (listed in alphabetical order):

• AIESEC in Hong Kong

• Alumni Affairs and Development Office, CUHK Business School (AADO)

• Alumni Affairs Office, CUHK (AAO)

• Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management Programme, CUHK (BEHM)

• Centre for Entrepreneurship, CUHK Business School (CfE)

• Centre for Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship, CUHK-Shenzhen (CIDE) / 香港中文大学（深圳）创新创意创业基地

• Enactus Hong Kong

• CUHK Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor Programme (EPIN)

• Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)

• Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, HKSAR (HYAB)

• Knowledge Transfer Office, CUHK (KTO)

• Marketing and Communications Office, CUHK Business School (MCO)

• Metro Radio Hong Kong

• New Asia College, CUHK

• Office of Student Affairs, CUHK (OSA)

• Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (SZRI) / 香港中文大学深圳研究院

• Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong (SVIHK)

• Social Enterprise Startup Scheme, CUHK (SESS)

• Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk)

• SONOVA

• The Strategiest

• Youth Development Commission (YDC)

^計劃由民政及青年事務局及青年發展委員會的「青年發展基金」轄下「民青局粵港澳大灣區青年創業資助計劃」贊助