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MedTech World Asia 2026 officially got underway today, and while the main conference floor at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre doesn’t open until tomorrow, Day 0 proved that the momentum for this summit was already building from the very first morning. Between a private cultural excursion to Lantau Island, an evening Awards Reception, the inaugural MedTech World Asia Awards, and a charity auction in support of the SiGMA Foundation, the day gave delegates a preview of the energy set to carry through the next two full conference days.
The day began away from the convention centre altogether. Platinum Ticket holders were picked up from Grand Hyatt Hong Kong at 10:00 by private coach for an exclusive cultural tour to Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island and home to two of its most iconic landmarks: the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
The itinerary was designed to immerse delegates in local culture while giving them space to connect informally before the conference agenda kicked in. From Tung Chung, the group boarded the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for a 25-minute ride spanning 5.7 kilometres and climbing to 440 metres above sea level, offering sweeping views of Lantau’s coastline and forested hills. At Ngong Ping Village, a guided walking tour took delegates through Po Lin Monastery, founded in 1906 and known as the “Precious Lotus,” before the group climbed the 268 steps to the Tian Tan Buddha, the bronze seated figure completed in 1993 that rises 34 metres above its lotus throne. Free time for lunch and browsing in Ngong Ping Village rounded out the excursion before the coaches returned everyone to their hotels by 15:00.
What could have been simply a tourist outing turned into one of the most talked-about icebreakers of the summit so far. Delegates described meeting future collaborators, investors and even prospective customers in a far more relaxed setting.
Dr. Rafael Veraza, CEO & President of Vascular Perfusion Solutions, Inc. (VPS), met a venture capitalist from Texas focused on the quality and regulatory space during the tour. “I think the cultural tour is very helpful to break the ice and meet in a more intimate setting some of the people that will be at the conference,” he said.
Darwin Shurig, Founder of Top Talent Accelerant, Inc., came away having connected with three different CEOs. “Fantastic experience. The whole format is great; I think it’s gonna be an amazing conference,” he said of the day’s discussions.
For Simon Terhürne, Founder of Oculoo, the tour delivered a business connection almost as soon as the group reached the summit. “The cultural tour was impressive. We met someone interested in our product just when we were at the top of the mountain. Really good start for the event,” he said.
As the sun set, Platinum ticket holders regrouped for the Awards Reception, powered by CS Lifesciences. The reception brought together many of the people behind some of the most exciting developments in healthcare and medical technology today, giving attendees a chance to reconnect with colleagues and strike up meaningful conversations with members of the global MedTech community before the formal proceedings began.
The centrepiece of the evening was MedTech World’s inaugural awards ceremony in Asia, powered by Blue Goat Cyber, held at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. The gala celebrated excellence and innovation across the MedTech and HealthTech landscape, honouring the startups, investors, clinicians and ecosystem builders driving healthcare forward across the region.
This year’s winners were determined through a two-part process: more than 5,500 public votes were cast, and a steering committee carried out a separate expert, criteria-based evaluation. The two components were equally weighted in determining the final winner in each of the 19 award categories, alongside one special recognition award, making for a genuinely community-driven celebration of the region’s MedTech achievements.
A highlight of the evening was the charity auction, a fixture of every MedTech World awards gala. The auction supported the SiGMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SiGMA Group, which channels funds toward healthcare initiatives around the world. The auction reinforced a theme that ran throughout the day: an industry that competes and collaborates in equal measure, and one that’s willing to give back as it does.
With Day 0 now behind them, delegates are turning their attention to the two full conference days ahead at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The agenda is packed: in-depth discussions on where the industry is headed, company showcases, and keynotes from government officials will run alongside a busy exhibition floor and startup village. Delegates will also have access to a 1:1 matchmaking room designed to facilitate structured meetings between founders, investors and partners throughout the summit.
The undisputed highlight for many will be the signature MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition, where emerging companies take the stage to compete in front of judges and an audience of industry leaders, a fitting continuation of the connections and conversations that started today, high above Lantau Island and in the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt.
Day 0 set the tone: informal, connective and celebratory. Now, MedTech World Asia 2026 moves into its main event.
Can’t make it to Hong Kong this year? Pre-register now for MedTech World Asia 2027 and be the first to know when tickets and details go live.
