The 2026 Hong Kong Web3 Ideathon: AI, FinTech, and Financial Literacy, a territory-wide competition organized by the Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem (CTBE) at the School of Business and Management of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School), the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC), and Cyberport, has concluded successfully, showcasing the creativity, technical imagination and entrepreneurial potential of tertiary students across Hong Kong in the rapidly evolving fields of Web3 and AI. The Ideathon brought together 107 teams formed by over 300 students from local tertiary institutions to create solutions to real-world financial challenges using those rapidly evolving technologies.
The competition culminated in the Final Pitch Fest, where nine finalist teams presented their proposals before a judging panel. A two-member team took the championship with its “Zero-Knowledge Private Banker” project, which aims to enable Web3-native investors to access traditional finance, including institutional investment opportunities, credit facilities, and advisory services, while retaining control over their own data. The 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up presented projects titled “Empowering Migrant Workers to Grow” and “Self-Paying Wallet” respectively.
As Hong Kong continues to advance as an international financial centre and innovation hub, the annual competition reflects a shared commitment by the organizers to cultivate talent capable of applying disruptive technologies to advance investment, financial education, and business ecosystems. This year, participating students were encouraged to create solutions that can improve financial decision-making, strengthen financial literacy, and enhance protection against scams in the digital age.
Prof. MENG Zhaoli, Associate Director of the Center for Technology and Business Ecosystem (CTBE), commented, “At CTBE, we are committed to understanding how technological innovation reshapes industry practices, organizational structures, and the broader business ecosystem. We aim to build a platform where academia, industry, and policymakers can work together to explore new technologies and help stakeholders thrive in a more balanced and sustainable way. The 2026 Hong Kong Web3 Ideathon brings together tertiary students across Hong Kong to explore the potential of Web3, AI, and financial innovation. We thank all the participants for helping us imagine and shape a more innovative and inclusive future.”
Ms. Michelle YEUNG, Head of Investor Education and Stakeholder Engagements at the IFEC, remarked, “The Ideathon not only provides a unique platform for tertiary students to showcase their creative business plan through Web3 and AI innovations, but also underscores the critical role of investor and financial education as they integrate financial management principles into the fabric of Web3 and AI. We are delighted to witness tertiary students addressing a diverse range of investment and money management topics, including data privacy management, financial literacy for vulnerable groups, and scam prevention. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Cyberport, to partner with the IFEC in this meaningful journey to help nurture the next generation of Web3 talents for Hong Kong’s sustainable future.”
Ms. Rachel LEE, Director of Blockchain and Digital Asset at Cyberport, remarked, “At Cyberport, we are empowering entrepreneurs to create user‑centric and trust‑enhanced applications to unlock new economic models and digital experiences. This Web3 Ideathon is more than a competition — it is a launchpad for talent, ideas, and ventures that will drive Hong Kong’s digital asset and blockchain ecosystem forward. We look forward to further supporting innovators in this competition and beyond in building and scaling their innovative solutions.”
The 2026 Hong Kong Web3 Ideathon also featured an introductory seminar and a preparatory workshop as well as other resources designed to deepen students’ knowledge of Web3 and AI, connect with experts, and strengthen their technical and business skills. By bringing together students, educators, and ecosystem partners, the initiative serves not only as a competition but also as a platform for learning, collaboration, and nurturing future innovators shaping Hong Kong’s digital economy.
In appreciation of their creative solutions, a total cash prize of HK$90,000 was awarded to the finalist teams, with qualified top performers also gaining fast-tracked interviews for the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund or the Cyberport Incubation Programme.
