Concept & Strategic Aim
On May 29, 2025, Sands China Ltd., the Macao Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) co-organized the inaugural “Macao Hengqin Technological Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Reverse Business Matching” at The Londoner Macao. Unlike traditional pitches, this reverse business matching invited academia and research institutes to address Sands China’s specific operational needs, fostering smart tourism innovation through precise, demand-driven collaboration.
Guests of honour participate in an opening ceremony on May 29, 2025 for the Macao Hengqin Technological Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Reverse Business Matching event at The Londoner Macao.
Event Format & Participation
Approximately 140 participants from universities and research centres in Macao and Hengqin attended. Sands China representatives presented current technological requirements and industrial challenges in advancing smart tourism. A subsequent Q&A and networking session enabled attendees to prepare for crafting tailored proposals. Over the next six months, monthly progress reviews will sustain a communication platform for solution development and implementation.
At the Macao Hengqin Technological Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Reverse Business Matching event on May 29 at The Londoner Macao, Sands China representatives present the technological support and industrial requirements the company needs for advancing smart tourism, followed by a Q&A session.
At the Macao Hengqin Technological Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Reverse Business Matching event on May 29 at The Londoner Macao, Sands China representatives present the technological support and industrial requirements the company needs for advancing smart tourism, followed by a Q&A session.
Local tech enterprises participating in the matching event shared that it provided valuable insights into the local market and specific customer needs, enabling them to refine their research and development direction and tailor technology projects for the tourism industry. They also expressed hopes of accelerating the industry-academia-research process through university collaboration and attracting high-end talent by leveraging the policy advantages of the Macao-Hengqin region.
Institutional Partnership & Support
Advised by the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance and executed by the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, the initiative aligns with Macao’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy. Activities under this programme include industry-academia workshops, pilot demonstrations, and transformation of research outputs into real-world applications within integrated resorts.
Participants attend the networking session at the end of the Macao Hengqin Technological Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Reverse Business Matching event on May 29 at The Londoner Macao.
Participants attend the networking session at the end of the Macao Hengqin Technological Innovation Industry-Academia-Research Reverse Business Matching event on May 29 at The Londoner Macao.
Leadership Insights
Tai Kin Ip, Secretary for Economy and Finance, mentioned that aligning large enterprise needs with academic strengths creates a ‘tourism + technology’ exchange platform. Application scenarios are the starting line for technological transformation and industrial advancement.
Grant Chum, CEO and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd., commented that the reverse matching drives high-quality development by connecting smart tourism demands with local R&D. Through the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, Sands China aims to accelerate research achievements into market-ready solutions, benefiting SMEs and youth entrepreneurs.
Outlook & Impact
By precisely matching academic expertise to corporate challenges, the programme seeks to:
- Fast-track commercialization of tertiary research in Macao and Hengqin.
- Enhance the competitiveness of smart tourism solutions across integrated resorts.
- Strengthen local SMEs and start-ups through access to pilot projects and mentorship.
This pioneering model establishes a sustainable framework for ongoing industry-academia-research collaboration, supporting Macao’s vision to become a world centre of tourism, leisure, and technological excellence.
