A delegation representing 50 global startups arrived in Shenzhen on April 24 in search of business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The startups, hailing from 16 economies, are semifinalists in this year’s Elevator Pitch Competition (EPiC), an event organized by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to help global startups expand their presence in Hong Kong, the GBA, and the Chinese mainland.

This year, HKSTP has organized a three-day Shenzhen-Hong Kong Market Discovery Program, which is designed to help these startups leverage the GBA's innovative resources and expand their businesses.

The program included a one-day trip to Shenzhen that featured visits to Shenzhen robot maker UBTECH Robotics in Nanshan District, the big data operation center of Chinese tech-driven retail company Meituan in Longhua District, and an overseas startup event at the Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian District.

Armando Heras Ruiz, a participant from Spain and operations leader at Meep -- a company that creates platforms for city management -- recognized the GBA’s potential as a launchpad for their company’s expansion into the Asian market.

“[This trip] has confirmed to me that it’s viable and possible to enter the Asian market,” said Ruiz, who was impressed by the region’s technological advancements, particularly in AI and robotics and the support offered by HKSTP.

Sarah Fleischer, CEO and co-founder of tozero GmbH, a Munich-based battery recycling company, echoed Ruiz’s enthusiasm.

“Coming from outside of Asia, especially from Germany, I think it’s fascinating to see and also get in contact with Chinese startups and founders, to see how fast they scale and what topics they look into,” Fleischer told Shenzhen Daily.

“Shenzhen is the gateway to China, and it’s been very enriching for us to learn about the Hong Kong startup ecosystem and Shenzhen,” Fletcher added.

According to Fleischer, she has already visited several battery manufacturers in the GBA, such as BYD and EVE. She likened Shenzhen to the Silicon Valley of China and praised the city’s culture of innovation and its role as a leader in high-tech industries.

“I think it’s very enriching coming here to Shenzhen, the gateway to China, I would say. We’ve learned a lot about Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem and Shenzhen,” Fleischer said.