Chinese sports tech start-up banks on Hong Kong’s connections, talent to reach new markets

Linthin Technology, a Chinese start-up specialising in sports science, is banking on Hong Kong’s global connections and talent networks to expand its services to markets around the region, aided by the city’s key investment agency.

The Shanghai-based company, which uses big data, Internet of Things, and artificial technology to enhance athletes’ performance and rehabilitation, joined the Science Park’s incubation programme last year and expects to raise its spending on research and development (R&D) in the coming months.

InvestHK, the agency tasked with attracting foreign investment, is playing its part to promote sports technologies to capitalise on greater market awareness. Hong Kong’s athletes produced two gold medal performances at the summer Olympics in Paris earlier this month.

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Excited crowds greet Hong Kong’s Olympic heroes, rain fails to put a damper on parade

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“InvestHK has helped us by introducing partnerships with local companies and promoting our products through different activities,” founder Justin Zhao said at a media briefing in Hong Kong on Friday. About 70 per cent of its R&D manpower will be based in Hong Kong this year, given the city’s linkages to global talents and foreign markets, he added.

Zhao, a former Huawei and Motorola engineer and senior manager, founded the company in 2020. Linthin’s products were used by China’s modern pentathlon teams at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, and some esports teams, he added.

“We have already connected with some coaches in Australia, and the company will do more business with local Hong Kong universities to conduct research,” Zhao said.

The incubation programme managed by the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks (HKSTP) has helped more than 850 companies grow their footprints, according to its website. Four of them have since filed their initial public offerings.

The focus on sports technologies echoes Hong Kong’s pledge this week to “spare no effort” in training local sporting talent.

The city is hosting 29 mega sports events this year, including Hong Kong Sevens, FIVB Volleyball World League and Hong Kong Cyclothon. A new Kai Tak Sports Park will also be in use next year for training and global events, according to InvestHK.

Andy Wong, the head of innovation and technology at InvestHK, said the city’s “superconnector” role, together with its highly-ranked universities and advanced research centres, are key pillars for investors seeking to establish themselves.

“We are open to all sizes of companies from different industries to push Hong Kong’s economy and increase the employment rate,” said Wong. “We are holding road shows in Europe and Australia to make more companies see the city’s advantages.”