The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC), and Gobi Partners (Gobi) as we speak introduced the launch of a brand new strategic fund targeted on early-stage start-ups incubated on the University. The Gobi-Redbird Innovation Fund (Gobi-RIF) goals to propel university-born applied sciences into international markets, bridging cutting-edge tutorial discoveries with industry-driven scalability to ship transformative options worldwide.
As the second enterprise funding fund beneath the Redbird Innovation Fund (RIF) framework, the Gobi-RIF Fund is devoted to accelerating commercialization throughout 4 high-impact sectors: biotechnology, Industry 4.0, synthetic intelligence and robotics, and fintech. The fund combines HKUST’s world-class analysis capabilities and innovation ecosystem with Gobi Partners’ pan-Asian experience and management in enterprise capital working throughout 16 strategic places in Asia.
This initiative is supported by the HKIC as a part of the “Patient Capital Strategic Fund”, introduced by the HKIC in May 2025 throughout its International Forum for Patient Capital. HKIC is a Patient Capital establishment wholly owned by the HKSAR Government, with a twin mandate: to hunt monetary return and to contribute to the long-term competitiveness and financial vitality of Hong Kong.
The Gobi-RIF Fund has already recognized a pipeline of promising ventures, together with Lymow, a developer of robotic garden mowers excelling in North American markets, Atom Semiconductor, a fabless design home specializing in analog signal-chain built-in chips, and Stellerus Technology, a space-grade satellite tv for pc answer supplier on superior AI meteorological applied sciences, all originating from HKUST. Managed by Gobi Partners, the Gobi-RIF Fund will make use of proactive funding methods to reinforce Hong Kong’s innovation impression throughout the Greater Bay Area and past.
Bridging Academia and Industry for Global Impact
Ms. Edith SHIH, HKUST Council Vice-Chairperson and RIF Chairperson, hailed the launch of the fund as a hit. “Our collaboration with Gobi Partners and HKIC reinforces HKUST’s commitment to positioning Hong Kong as a premier innovation and technology hub. By harnessing our academic excellence and strategic funding mechanisms, we aim to advance global collaboration and drive transformative innovations that serve both local and international communities, solidifying Hong Kong’s role on the global stage.”
Prof TAM Kar-Yan, HKUST Vice-President for Administration and Business, emphasised the University’s dedication to advancing Hong Kong’s innovation and know-how panorama, “HKUST has been at the forefront of deep tech innovation, consistently translating cutting-edge research into promising start-ups. The Gobi-RIF Fund enhances these efforts by providing the necessary capital and resources to transform academic insights into real-world solutions, thereby strengthening our innovation ecosystem. This collaboration uniquely positions us to accelerate Hong Kong’s new industrialization initiative.”
Mr. Thomas G. TSAO, the Co-founder and Chairperson of Gobi, stated “The trio of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou were recently named as the world’s top innovation hub by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Key to that was the number of venture capital deals, which means ideas are able to go from research projects to real-world products and services. Gobi is proud of its long-term partnership with HKUST and the HKIC. The Gobi-RIF Fund continues our mission of closing the gap between universities and commercialization.”
Gobi Managing Partner Mr. Chibo TANG added, “The Gobi-RIF Fund marks another milestone in Gobi’s commitment to university innovation and early-stage start-ups in Hong Kong. Though historically underestimated, Hong Kong’s university ecosystem is rapidly gaining prominence on a global scale. In partnership with HKUST, Gobi is proud to give university researchers the capital and network they need to commercialize their innovations.”
Ms. Clara CHAN, CEO of the HKIC stated, “We are pleased to witness the launch of the Gobi-RIF, which is part of the “Patient Capital Strategic Fund” initiative we announced in May 2025. Hong Kong is home to many world-class universities which groom promising talents and innovation. The HKIC is leveraging the strengths of Hong Kong and proactively curating synergies among different sectors in our ecosystem including investment, academia and research, with a view to accelerating the flywheel effect regarding talents, capital and opportunities. The Gobi-RIF Fund, which involves Gobi Partners and HKUST, is a vivid case on this front. More stories will come in the future.”