Cornell students received international recognition and a cash prize from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology during its One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2025.

The competition brought international teams to devise and present practical solutions for a sustainable future, pitching their innovations to an international panel of investors, clinicians and tech experts. “Representing the United States and Cornell University on such a stage was an incredible honor,” says Gauri Vanjari, M.P.H. Class of 2026, whose team, MaternaSense, took home the Gold-level (first runner-up) honor. 

Their award-winning innovation is a non-invasive sweat patch that utilizes a telehealth monitoring app and lab-on-a-chip technology to track hormonal changes pre- and postpartum, assisting physicians in the early detection of potential hormone-related pregnancy complications.

In addition to the award, MaternaSense has received a conditional offer to join the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) Ideation Programme. This 12-month pre-incubation program provides non-equity funding, access to co-working space, mentorship and networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders in Hong Kong and mainland China. It also includes eligibility for the HKSTP Incubation Programme and an invitation to the Hong Kong Techathon+ 10th Anniversary Edition in January 2026, a platform for global startup acceleration.

Learn more about the One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition here.

Written by Lauren Cahoon Roberts