Last-mile Testing Programme Cohort 3 Demo Day

Hysan Development Company Limited (“Hysan”) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTP”) marked a significant milestone in their strategic collaboration on 28 May 2025 with the successful completion of the first three-year phase of the Last-mile Testing Programme (LMTP) and the official launch of a second three-year partnership to accelerate smart and sustainable urban innovation.

The announcement was made during a special event held at The Community Lab, the joint innovation platform established by Hysan and HKSTP in the heart of Causeway Bay. The event celebrated the impactful achievements under this collaboration, backed by a total joint contribution of over HK$10 million to support pilot trials and business growth of participating start-ups, and technological adoption in Lee Gardens Area. The initiative highlights the commitment of both Hysan and HKSTP to fostering public-private collaboration for real-world innovation that delivers meaningful community benefits.

The event also showcased the third cohort of the LMTP, showcasing three start-ups focused on smart liveability and sustainability, including Aurabeat Technology Limited, EC Innovation Limited and i2Cool Limited. Their proof-of-concept trials address urban challenges, ranging from improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality to enhancing green landscaping through water conservation solutions. They also aim to mitigate urban heat island effect with sub-ambient cooling for outdoor environments — innovations designed to build greener and more resilient cities. For more information, please refer to the appendix.

A panel discussion, “Smart Sustainability in Urban City Planning,” explored how smart tech and cross-sector collaboration can drive sustainable urban transformation. The session was moderated by Ar Julia Lau, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. Speakers included representatives of this cohort — Mr Philip Yuen, CEO of Aurabeat Technology Limited, Mr Jackson Yip, CEO of EC Innovation Limited, Prof Martin Zhu, CEO & Co-Founder of i2Cool Limited, alongside Ms Winnie Wong, General Manager, Projects of Hysan Development Company Limited. The panel underscored how smart sustainability solutions—from water-saving irrigation to energy free cooling materials and clean air tech—can transform urban spaces into resilient, healthier communities. These innovations prove that collaboration between innovators, planners, and local stakeholders is key to building future-ready cities.

Aurabeat Technology Limited

• Conducted its proof-of-concept in the office floors of Lee Garden One and Lee Garden Two to test the performance of its EcoSonic Filters, which meet MERV 13 standards, as replacements for conventional MVAC filters to reduce energy consumption while maintaining high indoor air quality.

EC Innovation Limited

• Tested its EC Flow System on the ground-floor green wall of Lee Garden Three. The trial explored plant health improvement through the upcycling of irrigation runoff into nutrientenriched solutions, enabling a circular water system for urban planting. Leveraging IoT for automation, the system optimises irrigation, ensuring plants receive the right amount of nutrients while minimising water waste.

i2Cool Limited

• Conducted the proof-of-concept trial at the Urban Farm of Hysan Place to evaluate the i2Ceramic’s effectiveness in reducing surface temperatures in consistent outdoor conditions and examined their ability to absorb and drain water.