As sustainability takes centre stage, local startups are leading the way with innovative products and services. The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) and Rosewood Foundation have partnered for the second year to launch the “Rosewood Foundation Entrepreneurship Award 2025”, aiming to encourage entrepreneurs to continue contributing to the sustainable development of society and the environment, while fostering an entrepreneurial spirit.
Since its launch in October 2024, the “Rosewood Foundation Entrepreneurship Award 2025” has received applications from 40 start-ups, involving a total of 63 young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35. All participating businesses have been operational for at least two years, but not more than five years. Following mentorship consultation, networking opportunities, and two rounds of interviews and selection, five winning teams were chosen. Their businesses include: a biodegradable silica capsule hygiene product, video-understanding AI technology, an innovative beverage manufacturer, 3D food printers, and an automated cocktail blending machine.
Each of the five winning start-ups will receive HK$100,000 in funding and the opportunity to explore potential business collaborations with the Rosewood Hotel Group.
“Rosewood Foundation Entrepreneurship Award 2025” Award Ceremony
Date: 9 June 2025 (Monday)
Event Time: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Exhibition Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: 25/F, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building
| Time | Event |
| 15:00–17:00 | Exhibition |
| 15:30 | Event official starts |
| 15:33 | Video of 5 winning teams |
| 15:38 | Welcoming Remarks
Board of Director, Rosewood Foundation and Global Vice President of Impact and Sustainability, Rosewood Hotel Group, Ms. Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed |
| 15:43 | Thank you Remarks
Executive Director, |
| 15:47 | Keynote Address
Vice-Chairman, The Youth Development Commission and Member of The Legislative Council, HKSAR, The Hon Kenneth Leung, JP |
| 15:52 | Awards to 5 winning teams
|
| 16:02 | Big Group Photo |
| 16:05 | Fireside Chat
From Vision to Action: The Journey of Impact-driven Entrepreneurs Speakers: Representatives from the five “Rosewood Foundation Entrepreneurship Award 2025” winning teams • Elevatefoods Technology Limited Founder & CEO, Ms. Connie Lee |
| 16:30 | End of Award Ceremony |
Introduction of Five Winning Teams
| Teams | Representatives | Introduction |
| Elevatefoods Technology Limited
|
Ms. Connie Lee
Mr. Timothy Chan Dr. Xu Yang |
Elevatefoods transforms personalised nutrition and digitally optimises food through its patented smart 3D food printing and nano-cooking technology. It created a commercially feasible integrated smart 3D food fabrication solution that revolutionises the preparation, cooking, and consumption of personalised foods, offering ready-to-eat edible products with distinctive design, texture, sensory, and nutritional profiles. The solutions are targeted at the F&B and clinical nutrition industries, including individuals with specific dietary requirements such as seniors with swallowing disorders, patients with diabetes, children and athletes. Its cutting-edge ecosystem facilitates rapid and precise food and nutrition fabrication. Key technologies involve a real-time print and cook system alongside an AI-powered digital food design platform providing customised recipe recommendations.
Committed to minimising food waste through on-demand fabrication and repurposing food by-products, Elevatefoods champions sustainability by conducting educational STEM workshops and training programmes in collaboration with schools and businesses. |
| Environmental Sustainability Guardian Limited
|
Mr. Steven Cheng
Mr. Malvin Lo Mr. Derek Cheng |
ESGuardian stands at the forefront of sustainable innovation, pioneering silica capsule technology to transform everyday hygiene products. Its breakthrough approach uses a porous silica matrix to encapsulate active ingredients, enabling precise, water-activated release that enhances performance while reducing excess fillers, packaging, and preservatives, therefore lowering the carbon footprint of personal care products.
Originating from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, this technology reduces product volume by 90% throughout the product lifecycle, from production to disposal. Each 15-gram capsule replaces a 500ml plastic bottle of hand soap, while simultaneously maintaining a 99% pathogen reduction rate and safely degrading into natural sand particles after use. |
| MotoNerv Limited
|
Mr. Forte Fung
Mr. Pluto Mok |
Unlock the power of video with MotoNerv’s Video-Understanding AI technology, which meticulously analyses video content frame by frame, delivering transformative solutions for enterprises, institutions and even urban environments. Its platform automates labour-intensive tasks, uncovers hidden patterns, and provides critical insights previously out of reach, significantly reducing time and costs. Beyond efficiency, MotoNerv drives the evolution of smart cities by optimising daily operations, sharpening decision-making, and enhancing experiences in industries like hospitality. |
Sodaz Limited |
Mr. Aaron Pang
Mr. Alex Pang |
Sodaz is a next-generation beverage company redefining sustainability and wellness through innovation. It upcycles imperfect and surplus fruits—often discarded due to appearance—into healthy, functional beverages through its proprietary extraction technology. Its mission is to eliminate waste, elevate taste, and enhance wellbeing. By transforming fruit pulps, peel, and even seeds into delicious teas, sparkling drinks, and cocktail infusions, it gives every part of the fruit a second life—while retaining its nutritional value.
Recently, Sodaz has collaborated with local farmers to revolutionise beverage manufacturing by upcycling surplus fruits into new drinks. Using “chicken heart” wampee, it transforms the natural sour taste into a thick, sweet blend, bringing a rare flavour to the market while helping to reduce food waste. |
| XOXO Beverages Limited
|
Mr. Ricky Chan | XOXO Beverages was founded in Hong Kong in 2021, bringing together teams from multiple universities. Through smart technology, it offers efficient beverage preparation solutions, delivering a novel cocktail experience for guests. Its system, equipped with high-precision control devices, reduces raw material waste by 30% and integrates AI inventory prediction to significantly cut excess stock. Its proprietary “Flavour Analysis Dashboard” instantly analyses customer preferences, automatically adjusting drink proportions and providing inventory replenishment suggestions, while saving operational costs and supporting sustainable environmental goals |
Contact us
The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Social Innovation and Youth Business Unit
Tel: 3595 0945 / 3956 8001
Email: RosewoodAward@hkfyg.org.hk
Address: Room B-E, 11/F, Genesis, 33-35 Wong Chuk Hang Road, HK
Website: sic.hkfyg.org.hk
Facebook: hkfyg.sic