# HKAI Lab

HKAI Lab is an Asset Manager based in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Asset Manager
- **Headquarters:** Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- **Region:** Asia
- **Address:** Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong
- **Founded:** 2018
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** hongkongai.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/hkai-lab

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

HKAI Lab is a platform connecting academics, scientists, and entrepreneurs in the artificial intelligence field. It is funded by the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, SenseTime, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. HKAI Lab has made 68 investments, including a Seed VC investment in viAct on March 02, 2020.

## Sectors

- AI/ML
- Enterprise Software
- Robotics & Automation

## People

- Timothy Leung — Executive Director
- Teddy Liu — Chief Executive Officer
- Cindy Chow — Director, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund
- Jeff Zhang — Chairman of the Board, Head of Alibaba DAMO Academy

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at HKAI Lab?

The founding leadership team — Executive Director Timothy Leung, CEO Teddy Liu, and Director Cindy Chow — jointly operate the accelerator program. Chairman Jeff Zhang, who heads Alibaba's DAMO Academy, oversees the lab's strategic alignment with Alibaba's technical roadmap. Cohort selection is conducted by this group, drawing on technical evaluations from engineers seconded from Alibaba and SenseTime.

### How does HKAI Lab source proprietary deal flow?

HKAI Lab draws applicants into an open-call accelerator model rather than sourcing proprietary deal flow in a traditional venture sense. Its position inside Hong Kong Science Park, combined with links to InvestHK and the LEAP East professional network, funnels early-stage teams from Greater China universities and research labs. The Alibaba and SenseTime ecosystems then serve as both technical due-diligence partners and post-investment commercial channels.

### Is HKAI Lab structured as a fund or an accelerator?

HKAI Lab operates exclusively as a six-month, equity-backed seed accelerator rather than a closed-end venture fund. It was founded as a non-profit initiative, though participating startups receive direct investment through the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund structure. The lab provides computing resources, mentorship, and commercial introductions but does not raise external LP capital or issue fund vehicles.

### What sectors does HKAI Lab explicitly target?

The lab targets applied artificial intelligence broadly, with a particular emphasis on machine learning platforms, enterprise software, and robotics. Cohort companies have worked on logistics automation, retail analytics, and smart-city infrastructure. It does not back consumer-marketplace, entertainment-media, or fintech-regulatory startups unless they are principally differentiated by a proprietary AI core.

### What is the commercial relationship between HKAI Lab, Alibaba, and SenseTime?

Alibaba Group, via the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, and SenseTime are co-founders and primary funders of HKAI Lab. The Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund provides the investment capital for participating startups, while SenseTime supplies the deep-learning technology platforms and the GPU infrastructure that the accelerator makes available to its cohorts. Alibaba's DAMO Academy, led by Chairman Jeff Zhang, sets the technical direction for the lab.

## Related profiles

- [Hix Capital](https://altss.com/profile/hix-capital)
- [HKK Partners](https://altss.com/profile/hkk-partners)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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