• 

  Funding Support HK$600,000

  A grant of HK$480,000 and an interest-free loan of HK$120,000

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  24 months Incubation Support

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  Structured Entrepreneurship Training

  • Lean Launcher Training Programme
  • HKU TEC’s Entrepreneurship Academy
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  Community and Networking

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  From Prototyping to GBA Market Launch

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  Dual Workspaces in HK & ShenZhen

  iDendron Membership during the incubation period

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  Public Exposure

• Person-in-Charge (PIC) must be a HKU member (students, staff or alumni or its affiliated institutions) holding at least 20% ownership in total in the applying or to-be-established company; OR
• The start-up is an existing or prospective HKU IP licensee (with a licensing agreement already signed or being negotiated); AND
• All partners or shareholders must be co-applicants and comply with the eligibility requirements, non-eligible HK youths can own up to 20% of the startup’s equity

And

• Applicants must not be subject to any bankruptcy orders or proceedings
• The proposed entrepreneurship project should not have received funding from the first round of the Entrepreneurship Matching Fund under the Youth Development Fund (YDF)
• Applicants should have concrete business plans/ideas in Hong Kong and/or Mainland GBA cities within one year or have been running their start-ups for not more than three years
• The proposed entrepreneurship project should not be receiving funding (including funding under the Entrepreneurship Matching Fund) and entrepreneurial support and incubation services from other NGOs under YDF’s sponsorship
• While no restrictions are imposed on proposed entrepreneurship projects regarding the businesses they involve, businesses that are unlawful, illegal or involving tobacco, advocacy of gambling, obscenity, etc., will not be supported
• Funded youth start-ups should have business registration in Hong Kong and establish their business in Hong Kong and/or Mainland GBA cities (such as the entrepreneurial bases therein)
• Any start-ups yet to complete the business registration process are required to do so subsequently if selected for funding pursuant to the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310)
• Plan or established operations in Hong Kong or GBA cities (other regions not excluded)
• Non-eligible Hong Kong youths can own up to 20% of the startup’s equity.

• 

  Process

  The selection process consists of two stages: an initial screening followed by final pitching. Shortlisted teams will be invited to the training and final pitching.

  How to Apply:

  Submit the Online Application with the following documents upload:

  • Pitch Deck
  • 3-min Pitching Video
  • CVs of Team Member(s)
• 

  Criteria

  • Team Competency (30%)
  • Creativity & Innovativeness (30%)
  • Business Potential (25%)
  • Social Impact (15%)

• Application Guidelines
• Declaration Form of Use HKU IP [Oct 2024 edition]

We will provide the Lean Launcher Programme to the shortlisted teams from Aug to Sep with 1 day bootcamp and followed by 5 report back session. This comprehensive training initiative is designed to guide participants through the essential processes of in-depth market validation and customer discovery. The programme will equip you with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to effectively assess market opportunities, understand customer needs, and refine your business ideas for greater success.