Web3 Ideathon for Tertiary Students

As information technologies evolve at a rapid pace, it is crucial for the younger generation to understand the concepts and developments of the digital landscape.

Recognising the expanding applications of Web3 and its increasing significance in the financial services and investment sectors, IFEC, in collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School and Cyberport, organised the "2025 Hong Kong Web3 Ideathon: Innovations Empowering the City". This programme invited tertiary students to submit proposals to demonstrate innovative uses of decentralised technology, blockchain, and digital assets on financial inclusion and empowerment, community and social impact, as well as sustainable development.

Two workshops were conducted in December 2024 and March 2025 with industry practitioners and academics to engage participants on the topic.

The competition attracted 36 teams and more than 150 students from various tertiary institutions, showcasing the creative potential of Hong Kong tertiary students in the fast-evolving Web3 landscape.

• Champion: USTranscend
  A group of first-year students from HKUST Business School proposed using a Web3 platform to preserve Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. By enabling secure donations, minting digital cultural NFTs, and fostering community engagement, this initiative not only supports local NGOs in overcoming funding challenges but also unlocks fresh avenues for revitalizing the city’s tourism sector.

• 1st runner-up: Powerpay
  A team of engineering students from HKUST, who explored the potential of Web3 applications in the micropayment industry.

• 2nd runner-up: bee3
  A joint team from Chinese University of Hong Kong and HKUST, who demonstrated their vision on a universal anonymous membership ecosystem—a solution that ensures secure identity verification while enabling effective, privacy-conscious marketing.