EV charging technology start-up Halo Energy plugs into Hong Kong Science Park as launch pad for global expansion

Halo Energy, a hardware and software provider that landlords, property-management firms and energy companies use to build out their electric-vehicle (EV) charging business, is leveraging Hong Kong’s science park as a launch pad to build an international business.

Established in early 2021, it is supported by an acceleration programme run by the government’s Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation to help them grow in the city, across the border and abroad.

The programme since 2015 has provided assistance to more than 60 start-ups in the raising of more than HK$3.1 billion (US$400 million) in seed capital and support, including affordable offices, subsidies for professional services like legal, and advice on capital raising and business development.

Halo has rolled out 200 charging points at 44 locations in Hong Kong. Now, as it starts operations in Australia and eyes expansion in western Europe, co-founder and CEO Martin Tsang is confident that Halo’s science park headquarters is a solid base from which to grow.

Hong Kong has lost many talented people over the past few years and hiring the right people can be challenging, he admitted. “However, [Hong Kong] has what it takes to lure global talent, who will follow the money and opportunities,” he said.

High housing costs and small living space, while an impediment, are not problems that are unique to Hong Kong, and housing is just one consideration for expatriates, Tsang said. HKSTP’s InnoCell “co-creation community” – an apartment block near the park that offers rentable rooms, work spaces, leisure facilities, communal kitchens, and services such as laundry – can meet the needs of young, innovative technology talents, he said.