TSSSU@HKU
Technology Startup Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)
Introduction
The Technology Startup Support Scheme for Universities at HKU (TSSSU@HKU) is an award program aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the HKU community. It offers funding support to technology start-ups founded by HKU members. Recipients of the award may receive up to HK$1.5M per year for a maximum of 3 consecutive years under TSSSU–O and 3 consecutive years for TSSSU+, respectively. Turn your innovative ideas and research breakthroughs into commercially viable products and services! Make a tangible impact on society today! ACT NOW!
For further information, please reach out to us at tsssu@hku.hk.
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What Do We Offer?
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Funding ranging from HK$400K to HK$1.5M per year
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One-year iDendron Membership
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HKU TEA (Qianhai Base) Grant Matching Opportunity (Up to CNY1M)
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Access to Community, Networking and Public Exposure Opportunities
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Eligibility
The applicant shall be a start-up company of at least two members, in which Person-in-Charge (PIC) must be an HKU member (student, staff, or alumnus of HKU), HKU members should own at least 20% ownership in total in the applying or to-be-established company.
Other details under TSSSU-O and TSSSU+ are as follows:
TSSSU-O TSSSU+ (a) Year of establishment - Registered on or after 15 January 2024, i.e. registered for not more than two years as of the Cut-off Date (15 January 2026)
- The two-year eligibility requirement does not apply to a start-up which is recommended for TSSSU-O funding for the second or the third year
- Registered on or after 15 January 2019, i.e. registered for not more than seven years as of the Cut-off Date (15 January 2026)
- The seven-year eligibility requirement does not apply to a start-up which is recommended for TSSSU+ funding for the second or the third year
(b) Secured private investment - Not required
- Start-ups should submit document proofs (e.g. agreement/ letter of undertaking issued by the private investor, etc.) together with the applications
- Recognised matching period for private investment shall be from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
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Selection Process & How to Apply
Process
The selection process consists of two stages: Initial Selection by the Initial Selection Panel and Final Pitching by the Final Selection Panel
How to Apply
- The applicant should review the Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU. You can submit your application electronically via the application form on the website, along with the following supporting documents:
Application Closing Date
(31 October 2025)(a) a 3–5-minute Pitch Video on YouTube link or other kind of file-sharing link (e.g. Dropbox) introducing the technology and business of the company (b) a Pitch Deck of no more than 15 slides introducing the technology and business of the company (c) Proof document(s) of the relationship between the PIC and HKU, such as copies of graduation certificates or student/ staff ID cards of all HKU team members (d) Signed Declaration Form of Use HKU IP if the start-up intends to utilise HKU IP, and copies of IP licensing agreements if the start-up is utilizing HKU IP (e) the completed application form provided in Annex A with duly signed signature, company’s chop and all relevant supporting documents in its Section C including, but not limited to: (f) CVs of all team members (a template is provided at Annex A(i) (g) Term sheet or investment agreement issued by the private investor(s) on details of the cash contribution, along with a brief introduction of the investor(s). (for TSSSU+ only) - After Initial Selection and before the Final Pitchng, the shortlisted applicants should provide the following supporting documents if applicable:
(a) the Certificate of Incorporation (the “CI”) under the Companies Ordinance and the Business Registration (the “BR”) Certificate of applicant start-up companies (b) A detailed business plan (for applicants applying for the first year TSSSU-O/ TSSSU+ funding) (c) Other supplementary information required by HKU TEC - After Final Pitching, the selected TSSSU+ applicants must submit a duly signed investment agreement for due diligence prior to the final nomination to ITC.
Note: One set of signed hard copies of the application materials for all selected teams after the Final Pitching, must be submitted to below address within a week after result announcement:
G.02, Run Run Shaw Building,
Techno-Entrepreneurship Core,
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam, Hong Kong -
Important documents
2026-27 TSSSU@HKU (New Cohort)
- ITC TSSSU Guidelines [Jul 2025 edition], FAQ [Jul 2025 edition] & HKU TSSSU Operation Plan [Sep 2025 edition]
- Annex A – Application Form (Word version) [Jul 2025 edition]
- Annex A(i) – CV templates (Word version) [Jul 2025 edition]
- All Annexes (pdf version) [Jul 2025 edition]
- Declaration Form of Use HKU IP [Oct 2024 edition]
2025-26 TSSSU@HKU
- ITC TSSSU Guidelines [Aug 2024 edition], FAQ [Aug 2024 edition] & HKU TSSSU Operation Plan [Sep 2024 edition]
- All Annexes [Aug 2024 edition]
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Programme Timeline
Application Closing Date: 31 October 2025 (Friday) 5:00 pm (Hong Kong Time)
Demo Day: 23 September 2025 (Tuesday)
Final Pitching Day: Mid-December 2025
Cut-off Date: 15 January 2026
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Information Sessions
Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/L5NgvkVKun
2026–27 TSSSU@HKU Briefing Session + TSSSU Awardee Sharing Date: 10 September 2025 (Wednesday) Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Venue: Innovation Wing 2, G/F Run Run Shaw Building 2026–27 TSSSU@HKU Briefing Session (repeat) Date: 8 October 2025 (Wednesday) Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Venue: Zoom Briefing Deck: Here
Briefing Video: Here