IXON Wins “Award of Excellence” at Kyoto Food Tech Expo 2025

IXON has won the Award of Excellence at the Kyoto Food Tech Expo 2025, an achievement that marks another milestone for Hong Kong innovation on the global stage. Held on October 2–3 at the Keihanna Open Innovation Center (KICK), the Kyoto Food Tech Expo was part of the Kyoto Smart City Expo, an international event exploring how smart technology can build a sustainable future.

This year’s Food Tech Expo focused on blending Kyoto’s deep culinary culture with cutting-edge agri- and food technology — and IXON stood out as the only overseas company invited to pitch among nine selected startups.

Representing IXON on stage was founder and CEO Felix Cheung, who pitched in Japanese to a packed room of academic researchers, corporate leaders, and government officials. Drawing from his experience studying Japanese and working in Tokyo earlier in his career, Felix introduced IXON’s Advanced Sous-Vide Aseptic Packaging (ASAP) — a breakthrough technology that allows sous-vide food to be stored safely at room temperature for up to two years without preservatives.

The presentation resonated deeply with the Japanese audience, combining scientific precision with a passion for craftsmanship — values that echo Kyoto’s own food culture. Felix’s ability to explain IXON’s science in Japanese won not only the judges’ attention but also spontaneous applause from the floor.

“To present in Kyoto — a city where culinary tradition and innovation meet — was a special experience,” Felix reflected after the award ceremony. “Japan’s respect for food quality has always inspired IXON. Winning this award is an incredible recognition from a community we deeply admire.”

The Award of Excellence was presented by a judging panel that brought together industry, academia, and government:

  • Hiroyuki Suzuki, Executive Vice President, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR)

  • Hirotaka Tanaka, CEO of UnlocX / Founder of SKS JAPAN

  • Takaharu Imazu, President of CITIC Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

  • Deputy Governor Suzuki, Kyoto Prefectural Government

The judges praised IXON’s contribution to sustainable food preservation and its potential to redefine global cold chain logistics.

IXON competed alongside top Japanese startups including Kuon Crop, LINNÉ, Quantum Flowers & Foods (QFF), FieldWorks, Electronic CB Agriculture, TSK, GCJ, and Wada FoodTech.

Following its success in Kyoto, IXON is now gearing up for its next global challenge — the Startup World Cup Grand Finale, to be held in Silicon Valley from October 15–17. Earlier this year, IXON was named Second Runner-up at the Startup World Cup Asia Finale, securing its place among the region’s most promising innovators. As the Hong Kong and Macau Regional Champion, IXON will represent the city on the world stage, showcasing how its ASAP technology can help reshape the future of sustainable food manufacturing — and carry the spirit of Hong Kong innovation to Silicon Valley.

香港食品科技公司 IXON 於 10 月 3 日（星期五）在日本舉行的 「京都食品科技博覽會2025」（Kyoto Food Tech Expo 2025） 榮獲「優秀獎（Award of Excellence）」，為香港創科界再添一項國際殊榮。是次博覽會於 10 月 2 至 3 日假 京阪奈開放創新中心（KICK） 舉行，屬於 「京都智慧城市博覽會（Kyoto Smart City Expo）」 的重點活動之一，聚焦以科技推動可持續未來的城市與產業發展。

今年的 Food Tech Expo 以「結合京都深厚的飲食文化與最先進的食品科技」為主題，從農業生產、食品加工到智慧供應鏈均有展示。而 IXON 則是 唯一受邀參與路演的海外公司，在九間精選初創中脫穎而出，備受矚目。

代表 IXON 登台演講的是公司創辦人兼行政總裁 張文浩博士（Felix Cheung）。他以日語向現場眾多學者、企業領袖及政府官員介紹 IXON 的核心技術——「先進低溫真空無菌包裝技術」（Advanced Sous-Vide Aseptic Packaging，ASAP）。這項突破性技術能讓低溫慢煮的食物在室溫下保存長達兩年，無需冷藏或防腐劑。

張博士早年修讀日語，並曾於東京工作一年，因此能以日語，結合科技理性與工藝精神，呈現 IXON 的理念。這種「科學 × 匠心」的表達方式，亦與京都一貫重視品質與傳承的飲食文化產生共鳴。他在領獎後表示：「能在京都這個傳統與創新交融的城市發表我們的技術，是非常特別的體驗。日本對食品品質的尊重，一直是我們的靈感來源。這個獎項，是對我們團隊及技術的極大肯定。」

是次「優秀獎」由以下四位評審共同評選（業界、學界與政府代表）：

  • 鈴木博之（國際電氣通信基礎技術研究所 ATR 副社長）

  • 田中宏隆（UnlocX 行政總裁／SKS JAPAN 創辦人）

  • 今津孝照（中信創投社長）

  • 京都府 副知事 鈴木氏

評審團對 IXON 在可持續食品保鮮與冷鏈革新方面的貢獻表示高度讚賞。其他入圍企業包括：クオンクロップ、LINNÉ、Quantum Flowers & Foods（QFF）、FieldWorks、電子CB農法、TSK、GCJ 及 Wada FoodTech。

繼京都之後，IXON 將再踏上國際舞台——於 10 月 15 至 17 日在美國三藩市舉行的 「Startup World Cup 世界初創企業大賽總決賽」。 IXON 早前已於 Startup World Cup 亞洲總決賽榮獲季軍，並成為 香港及澳門區冠軍代表，即將代表香港與世界各地的頂尖初創公司同台競逐。 屆時，IXON 將於三藩市展示其 ASAP 技術如何顛覆全球食品製造與供應鏈，推動一個更安全、更可持續的無冷鏈時代。

對 IXON 而言，這不僅是一場比賽，更是一趟讓世界看見 「香港創新力量」 的旅程。

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