Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has seen the addition of 50 new applications under the "Special Route for Technology Companies" since its launch, indicating a growing interest in IPOs from tech firms that are still in the development phase [1] Group 1: IPO Applications - HKEX's CEO, Charles Li, announced that there have been a total of 50 applications for 18A and 18C since the introduction of the special route [1] - The 18A and 18C applications are primarily from companies that have not yet generated revenue or achieved profitability, highlighting the focus on early-stage tech firms [1] Group 2: Confidentiality and Transparency - Submitting IPO applications confidentially is not a new practice globally, as many exchanges allow for such submissions [1] - While HKEX provides a level of confidentiality for these applications, it does not compromise transparency, as companies are still required to disclose information at appropriate times during the IPO process [1]