The hongkong prize offers a cash prize of up to $500,000 for ideas that can help Hong Kong develop as a leading global financial center. This prize is open to all individuals, companies, and organizations with ideas that are deemed relevant and impactful by a panel of judges. Submissions are evaluated based on their feasibility, impact, and innovation. Those who are selected as finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges for the chance to win the prize.
The prize was launched by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation in 2022 with title sponsorship from BOCHK. Each year, renowned scholars and experts are invited to select Laureates in the following fields: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Life and Health, New Materials and New Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, and FinTech. The prize is intended to encourage scientific researchers and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong to keep exploring innovative ideas, establish themselves in the region, and serve the country and the world.
In addition to the HK$12m for the first place winner, a gold medalist can earn HK$9m, silver HK$5m, and bronze HK$2m. Besides, athletes who finish in the top eight will receive HK$750,000 for fourth to eighth places. Athletes who win team-event medals can also earn HK$6m for Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the amount is considerably less than what Olympic medal winners get for winning individual events.
This year’s competition received 617 entries from 12 Chinese and English newspapers in Hong Kong, with the theme “Hong Kong and Its Place in History.” The judges praised the quality of the submissions and the way the authors approached the subject. However, despite the dazzling display of talent, some of the entries fell short of the judges’ expectations. For example, a piece by the newspaper Society of Hong Kong was criticized for being too blatant and controversial.
The winner of this year’s award is a self-taught artist who uses the medium of photography to capture the essence of Hong Kong. His work, titled “Hongkong: A Time of Change”, is a series of photos of various locations in Hong Kong during the Occupy protests. The photo-based work depicts the changing times of the city and the people living there, and is a tribute to those who risked their lives to protect freedom in Hong Kong. The jury was especially impressed by the photographer’s ability to use different angles and perspectives to capture the beauty of Hong Kong. He also captured the emotional connection between the people and their surroundings. The photo is expected to inspire viewers to embrace the change and live in peace. The photographer’s name is Darren Leung, and he is from Hong Kong. The photo was published on the front page of the South China Morning Post on September 19. Click here for more details.