Media OutReach
First Public-Private Partnership for I&T in Hong Kong: HKSTP to Co-Invest in Tech Ventures and Drive Global Success
HKSTP celebrates the launch of the HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme and revealing four partners who will be the first batch of strategic partners in this groundbreaking Partnership
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 April 2025 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) officially launched the HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme, Hong Kong’s first-ever Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in innovation and technology (I&T), a private fund (the ‘Fund’) that is managed by a Hong Kong statutory body, a HKSTP subsidiary which is licensed with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to act as an Investment Manager of a Hong Kong Limited Partnership Fund (HKLPF).
Focusing on three high-demand global sectors — Generative AI, Intelligent Connected Systems, and Sustainability—the Fund sets off on a mission to co-invest with visionary partners in high-potential acceleration-stage startups from Hong Kong, enabling them to scale into global leaders and unicorns. This milestone further cements HKSTP’s position as a leading I&T powerhouse, accelerating innovation and driving global impact.
Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government officiated the launch ceremony and said, “Innovation and technology are a key pillar of Hong Kong’s future prosperity. We recognise the unique value of public-private partnerships in driving innovation. The HKSTP’s Acceleration Fund aligns with our vision. By partnering with industry leaders to co-invest in high-potential start-ups, particularly in generative AI, intelligent connected systems and sustainability, the Fund amplifies our collective capacity to turn innovation into impact.”
Uniting Industry Leaders to Invest in Startups and Power Innovation
The first batch of four investing firms and enterprise partners were revealed at the partnership signing ceremony, including Cathay Technologies, Fook Man Development Company Limited, Hangzhou Industrial Investment Group, and Zhejiang Communication Investment Group. Representatives from these four parties signed the strategic partnership agreements with Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr Paul Chan and Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP. These leaders will bring in industry insights, funding opportunities, and localisation expertise to bridge public missions with private-sector returns. In addition, over 100 startups from the mainland China will be referred to the HKSTP’s thriving ecosystem, providing them opportunities for global expansion and at the same time, enabling local startups to tap into the mainland market.
Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, said: “The fund for the HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme is a game-changing milestone in Hong Kong’s I&T landscape, and we are excited to welcome our new strategic partners. By bringing these significant partners into our ecosystem, HKSTP is expanding its influence by blending capital, business expertise, and global market access. This public-private fund will propel Hong Kong’s most promising innovators onto the global stage, driving breakthroughs across key industries and reinforcing our city’s status as an international leading I&T hub.”
Cathay Director Digital and IT Mr Lawrence Fong said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with HKSTP on this landmark fund designed to empower budding start-ups in Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area. I believe that this partnership will cultivate a vibrant innovation & technology ecosystem in the region, bringing leading technologists, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners together, further enhancing Cathay’s digital leadership. Our strategic partnership with HKSTP also underscores Cathay’s continued support for the Hong Kong SAR Government in advancing technological innovation to spur our city’s economic growth and development”
Mr Wencheng Tang, Executive Director, Fook Man Development Company Limited, said: “We are honoured to join the ‘HKSTP Co-Acceleration Programme’. Through this collaboration, we aim to forge a long-term partnership and jointly advance the growth of the I&T industry across the Greater Bay Area. As a subsidiary of Dongguan Communications Investment Group, Fook Man Development hopes to leverage this opportunity to strengthen exchanges between Dongguan and the HKSAR, provide more opportunities and resources for HKSAR partners seeking support for development in the mainland, and inject stronger momentum into our industrial upgrading.”
Mr Li Qiu, Investment and Operation Director, Hangzhou Innovation Incubation Center (Hong Kong) Limited, said: “Last year, the Hangzhou Innovation Incubation Center became the first mainland city-level technology incubation center to land in Hong Kong Science Park, providing venue support and resource-matching services for Hangzhou-based I&T companies expanding into Hong Kong and overseas projects setting up in the city. To date, we have connected with over 50 prospective enterprises and are actively building a government-academia-industry resource synergy network. We will proactively engage with Hong Kong’s diverse funding initiatives to empower I&T development and contribute to establishing a Hangzhou-Hong Kong collaborative I&T innovation hub.”
Mr Dehua Wang, General Manager, Zhejiang Communications Investment Group (HK) Company Limited, said: “The Group is committed to leveraging technological innovation as the core engine driving the upgrade and transformation of enterprises, utilising HKSTP’s globalised I&T resources and its integrated incubation and acceleration ecosystem. We focus on identifying high-growth tech companies with strong alignment to industries such as transportation infrastructure, smart construction, new energy, new materials and low-altitude economy. Through our ‘fund investment plus empowering industry’ model, we provide funding, application scenarios, and operational support to enable outstanding Hong Kong projects to establish a foothold in Zhejiang Province and expand nationwide”
Unveiling the “ARENA” to Drive Deals and Collaboration
On the sidelines of the event, HKSTP unveiled the new “ARENA”, a top-notch platform showcasing 23 cherry-picked startups. Designed as a permanent, high-visibility platform for startups, it provides direct access to over 1,000 investors and corporate partners within HKSTP’s ecosystem. The ARENA is segmented into five key zones: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, Sustainable Materials & Technology, Advanced Electronics & Robotics, and Life & Health. It is the place where pivotal collaborations and investment deals happen, empowering HKSTP startups to transform ideas into real business ventures and scale up.
Disclaimer
The Fund has not been authorized by the SFC under section 104 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong (the “SFO”). The information in this document is solely for informational and discussion purposes only. Nothing in this document shall constitute, or be construed as constituting, any of the following:
- Investment, legal, financial, accounting, tax or other advice;
- An advertisement, offer, solicitation, invitation or recommendation to sell or purchase any securities in Hong Kong or elsewhere;
- An arrangement of securities, stocks or any financial instruments in Hong Kong or elsewhere;
- An offer to provide any investment or financial services in Hong Kong or elsewhere; or
- A direct or indirect provision of investment management services to you by HKSTP Co Acceleration Management Limited.
Nothing in this document shall be construed as (i) Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries except for HKSTP Co Acceleration Management Limited), or any of the event speakers mentioned in this document, having a license or being authorized to carry out any regulated activity(ies) or regulated function(s) in Hong Kong; or (ii) Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries except for HKSTP Co Acceleration Management Limited), or any of the event speakers mentioned in this document, holding itself/himself out as being licensed or authorized to perform any regulated activity(ies) or regulated function(s).
Nothing in this document shall be construed as (i) HKSTP Co Acceleration Management Limited having a license or being authorized to carry out any regulated activity(ies) or regulated function(s) in Hong Kong that it is not licensed or authorized to perform under the SFO; or (ii) a HKSTP Co Acceleration Management Limited holding itself out as being licensed or authorized to perform any regulated activity(ies) or regulated function(s) for which it is not so licensed or authorized in Hong Kong to perform under the SFO.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Graduate salary data provides useful guidance, but it should not be read in isolation. Starting salary is one indicator of return on investment. It should be considered alongside employment rates, full-time permanent employment, industry pathways, career support, programme fit and long-term skills relevance.
For students considering Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page provides a reference point for understanding graduate outcomes. The page explains how SIM graduates have performed in the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey (PEI GES), where they have worked, and how SIM supports students in building career readiness.
Why the PEI Graduate Employment Survey matters
For students considering private education pathways, the PEI Graduate Employment Survey (GES) is an important reference because it provides employment and salary outcomes for graduates from registered private education institutions.
The 2024/2025 PEI GES focused on economically active fresh graduates who graduated between May 2024 and April 2025 from full-time Bachelor’s level External Degree Programmes. The survey covered about 6,150 full-time graduates across 26 private education institutions, with a response rate of 61.6 per cent, and was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026.
Among 2,600 economically active PEI fresh graduate respondents in the labour force, 78.9 per cent secured employment within six months of graduation. The median gross monthly salary for PEI fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment remained stable at S$3,500.
This makes the PEI GES useful for students and parents who want to compare graduate outcomes within the private education sector. It also allows SIM’s graduate outcome data to be read against a broader PEI sector benchmark.
What SIM graduate outcome data shows
SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page reports that SIM fresh graduate respondents recorded 81.0 per cent secured employment, 77.9 per cent currently employed, 47.0 per cent in full-time permanent employment and a median gross monthly salary of S$3,565. The page attributes these figures to Skills & Workforce Development Agency 2024/2025 PEI GES.
| Indicator | SIM | Avg of All PEI (include SIM) |
| Secured employment | 81.0% | 78.9% |
| Full-time permanent employment | 47.0% | 46.9% |
| Median gross monthly salary | S$3,565 | S$3,500 |
This comparison places SIM’s graduate outcomes at the top spectrum of the PEI sector. It also shows why employability should be assessed through more than one indicator. Secured employment, full-time permanent employment and median gross monthly salary each provide a different view of graduate outcomes.
Secured employment indicates whether graduates entered work, accepted job offers or were taking steps to start a business venture. Full-time permanent employment provides a view of stable employment. Median gross monthly salary shows the middle salary point among full-time permanently employed graduates.
Where SIM graduates have worked
SIM graduates have entered a range of sectors, including aviation, aerospace and engineering, airline and tourism, banking and financial services, information and communications technology, cybersecurity, insurance, consumer services, public sector and government, consulting and professional services, healthcare, logistics, transportation, retail and manufacturing.
These employer destinations are relevant because students are not only selecting a degree. They are also considering possible pathways into industries, job functions and future career options. A business-related pathway may support roles in banking, consulting, retail, logistics or entrepreneurship. A technology-related pathway may lead to opportunities in information and communications technology, cybersecurity, data, digital services or business technology roles.
How students should compare salary, employability and ROI
A practical approach to comparing degree options is to consider four areas: relevance, return, readiness and resilience.
| Factor | What to consider |
| Relevance | Does the degree connect to industries that are hiring? |
| Return | What do employment and salary outcomes show? |
| Readiness | What career support, internship guidance and employer exposure are available? |
| Resilience | Can the skills support future career changes? |
This approach helps students avoid selecting a degree based only on the highest salary benchmark. While starting salary is an important consideration, long-term value also depends on whether the student can build relevant skills, gain experience and adapt to changes in the labour market.
How SIM supports employability
SIM supports students through career preparation and employer engagement, including résumé writing, interview preparation, job search guidance, career fairs, employer talks, recruitment events, internship search guidance and workshops that build communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional confidence.
Such support is relevant to return on investment because employability is influenced not only by the qualification awarded, but also by how prepared students are to enter the workforce. Career readiness, employer exposure and workplace skills can support the transition from study to employment.
Conclusion
Graduate starting salary is an important consideration for students and parents assessing higher education options in Singapore. However, it should not be the only measure used to evaluate a degree pathway.
A more balanced assessment considers employment rates, full-time permanent employment, median gross monthly salary, industry pathways, career support and long-term skills relevance. This provides a broader view of how a higher education pathway may support employability and future career development.
When read together with the PEI Graduate Employment Survey, national salary benchmarks and SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page, graduate outcome data can help students and parents make more informed decisions about salary expectations, employability and return on investment.
References
- SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/parent-resource-hub/graduate-outcome-employability
- SWDA PEI Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025 – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/skills-career-resources/private-education-resources/graduate-employment-survey/2024-2025
- Employment Outcome for PEI Graduates – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/newsroom/employment-outcomes-for-private-education-institution-graduates-remain-stable-in-2024-2025
- SIM Career Service – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SIM Global Education
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.
SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.
For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg
Media OutReach
SBI Global Asset Management and DigiFT Launch JX, Bringing a Japanese Asset Manager’s Equity Strategy On-Chain for the First Time
The launch comes as investor attention returns to Japanese equities, supported by the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s continued push for listed companies to improve capital efficiency and demonstrate greater awareness of share-price performance. It also reflects a broader evolution in tokenization: the value of tokenized RWAs distributed on public blockchains grew from USD 5.9 billion to USD 21.9 billion globally in 2025, moving the category beyond cash-like instruments and into actively managed public-market strategies. DigiFT was an early mover in this shift, launching a tokenized U.S. equity income fund developed with BNY in January 2026. This shift is now extending directly into Japan’s own institutional market, where SBI Group has been among the country’s most active builders of on-chain financial infrastructure.
DigiFT holds Capital Markets Services and Recognised Market Operator licences from MAS, as well as Type 1 and Type 4 licences from the Hong Kong SFC – a dual regulatory standing that has made it a tokenization and distribution partner for global and regional asset managers, including UBS Asset Management, Invesco, BNY and Franklin Templeton. DigiFT’s roster now extends into Japan, through SBI GAM’s participation, adding a Japanese listed-equity strategy to that lineup for the first time. DigiFT is launching the JX Token on Solana, further expanding the availability of regulated RWAs on-chain, with ecosystem participants including Solana Company, Huma Finance and Plume.
SBI Holdings brings its own substantial on-chain track record to the collaboration. The group reported consolidated revenue of JPY 1.90 trillion for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2026, with its Crypto-asset Business segment generating JPY 89.6 billion in revenue over the same period. SBI Holdings has taken direct stakes across the region’s tokenization infrastructure, including leading a $50 million investment in Startale Group to build a blockchain purpose-built for tokenized securities, and holding a majority stake in Osaka Digital Exchange, operator of a secondary market for security tokens in Japan.
JX is structured around the underlying strategy managed by SBI AM. This authorized, manager-referenced model is critical as regulators are increasingly distinguishing tokenized securities developed with issuer or manager alignment from products that provide only indirect economic exposure. In a joint staff statement issued 28 January 2026, the U.S. SEC staff drew a formal line between issuer-sponsored tokenized securities, which can represent true ownership, and third-party products that typically offer only synthetic exposure or custodial entitlements – signalling an intent to encourage the former while curbing the spread of the latter.
Henry Zhang, Founder and Group CEO, DigiFT: “Our mission at DigiFT has always been to bring real, institutional-grade assets on-chain through infrastructure that investors and asset managers can actually trust. JX extends that mission to Japan for the first time, opening regulated, on-chain access to Japanese equities. We’re proud to build this with SBI Group, one of Japan’s most forward-looking financial institutions, and excited about what this partnership signals for the future of tokenization across the region.”
Hashtag: #DigiFT
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Smilegate LORDNINE Launches Pre-Registration for New Growth-Accelerated Server ‘Helena’ in Celebration of 1st Anniversary… 32,000 USDt Reward Event Underway
- Pre-registration for new server Helena opens July 14… Official launch on July 29
- Sweeping new server growth-support systems, including 50% additional EXP via Mastery Buff
- Rich rewards including a 32,000 USDt reward event, limited edition skins, and 1,111 summon tickets
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – EQS Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Smilegate announced on Tuesday, July 14 that pre-registration has begun for ‘Helena’, a new growth-accelerated server for the MMORPG 《LORDNINE: Infinite Class》 (developed by NX3 Games), in celebration of the game’s 1st anniversary.
Pre-registration for the new Helena server is available through the official LORDNINE page (https://l9asia.onstove.com/en), with the official launch scheduled for July 29 at 7:00 PM.
Helena is a growth-accelerated server designed to allow players to level up characters faster than on existing servers. Key features include a Mastery Buff that provides an additional 50% EXP gain and more than 40,000 ‘Fragments of Ancient Relics’ to support character progression, helping players settle in smoothly during the early stages.
To celebrate the launch of the Helena server, Smilegate has prepared a variety of events, including a 32,000 USDt reward event. Helena server users can participate in in-game attendance and mission events to obtain three Hero-grade avatars and three artifacts, as well as up to 1,111 summon tickets.
A pre-registration event will also be held. Users who sign up for pre-registration will receive a limited edition skin, and among users who refer 20 friends through the pre-registration page, a drawing will be held with winners receiving an iPhone 17 Pro.
In addition, a skin design contest will be held to celebrate the 1st anniversary. Participants can freely submit skin designs they would like to see released in LORDNINE. In-game rewards worth up to 80 million KRW are up for grabs, and notably, the grand prize-winning design will actually be released in-game.
For more information about the game, please visit the official page (https://l9asia.onstove.com/en).
| Contact Point | Office | Mobile Phone | ||||
| Sangjik Oh, Team Leader | 031-630-3142 | 010-5236-0571 | sj****@*******te.com | |||
| Hyeran In, Deputy General Manager | 031-630-3143 | 010-3291-6710 | hr****@*******te.com | |||
| Jiwon Hong, Deputy General Manager | 031-630-3144 | 010-4135-0298 | jw****@*******te.com | |||
| Taehyun Park, Assistant Manager | 031-630-3179 | 010-6805-1177 | th****@*******te.com |
Hashtag: #Smilegate
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
