i2Cool Co-Founder and CEO Prof. Martin Zhu has been conferred with the prestigious 'Leader of the Year 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award' for his breakthroughs in climate technology.

Key Takeaways

  • Prof. Martin Zhu received the Young Entrepreneur Award at the 2025 Leader of the Year Awards.
  • i2Cool specializes in electricity-free cooling solutions via passive radiative cooling.
  • The technology reflects solar radiation and emits heat through the atmospheric window.
  • Applications span buildings, transportation, industrial facilities, and textiles.

HONG KONG & SHENZHEN: In a significant recognition of leadership in the green technology sector, Prof. Martin Zhu, Co-Founder and CEO of i2Cool, has been honored with the Young Entrepreneur Award at the 2025 Leader of the Year Awards. Organized by the Sing Tao News Corporation, these awards are among Hong Kong's most esteemed annual recognitions, celebrating visionaries who drive economic and technological progress.

Revolutionizing Climate Resilience

The award recognizes Prof. Zhu’s exceptional ability to bridge the gap between complex scientific research and real-world commercial applications. As the world grapples with unprecedented heatwaves and the urgent need for decarbonization, i2Cool’s mission has become more critical than ever. The company’s core innovation lies in Passive Radiative Cooling—a method that allows for continuous cooling without any reliance on electricity, effectively addressing the energy demands of modern cooling systems.

From Lab Research to Global Industry

Born out of research at the City University of Hong Kong, i2Cool has successfully transitioned from a laboratory concept to a scalable industrial solution. By utilizing proprietary technology that reflects solar radiation while simultaneously emitting heat through the atmospheric window, the company provides a sustainable alternative to traditional HVAC systems. Today, these solutions are being integrated into infrastructure, transportation, industrial plants, and even the textile industry, helping global partners meet their sustainability and thermal management goals.

A Visionary Leadership Ceremony

The 2025 award ceremony was officiated by The Hon. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The event brought together a prestigious cohort of leaders from government, academia, and industry to celebrate innovation that impacts social and economic landscapes. Looking forward, i2Cool aims to accelerate the global deployment of its electricity-free cooling technologies through strategic international partnerships and intensified R&D, paving the way for a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.