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 Ms. Laura Yu at 3917 3194 or laurayu@hku.hk, and Ms. Cherry Chung at 3917 3104 or cherrychung@hku.hk.
What Do We Offer?
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Funding ranging from HK$500K 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) |
Access to Community, Networking and Public Exposure Opportunities
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Eligibility
- A start-up company or a team applicant of at least two members, in which 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
- For Company applicants: Have a limited company incorporated in Hong Kong for less than 2 years by the Cut-off Date (15 January 2025), for TSSSU-O, or less than 7 years by the Cut-off Date (15 January 2025) for TSSSU+, OR
- For Team applicants: Have a team (must incorporate a limited company in Hong Kong by the Application Closing Date)
- TSSSU+ applicants should submit document proofs of external investment (e.g., agreement/letter of undertaking issued by the private investor, etc.) together with the applications
- For more information about TSSSU-O and TSSSU+, please refer to the ITC Guidelines
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. The checklist for submission electronically to tsssu@hku.hk is provided below.
| Application Closing Date (31 October 2024) |
After Initial Selection and before Final Pitching (Late November 2024) |
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One presentation video of around 3-5 minutes introducing the technology and business of the company with a file-sharing link (e.g., YouTube/Dropbox)
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A detailed Business Plan (BP)
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Application form (a template is prodived at Annex A) with all relevant supporting documents
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A complete Financial Plan with budget, revenue and cash flow forecasts covering at least the next three years of operation
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Investment Pitch Deck introducing the technology and business of the company
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CVs of all team members (a template is provided at Annex A(i)), which state their academic qualifications and detailed working experience
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Proof document(s) of relationship among the HKU Members and HKU, such as copies of student ID cards/graduation certificates/ staff cards
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| Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate (“BR”) | |
| Certificate of Incorporation (“CI”) |
- Upon electronic application, the applicant should provide the following supporting documents if applicable:
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Signed Declaration Form of use HKU IP (the form is provided in the TSSSU website) and copies of IP licensing agreements
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Investment Document proofs (i.e. investment agreement / term sheet) issued by the private investor(s) of the secured private investment (for TSSSU+ only)
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Proofs of cash injection to the funded start-up company bank account within the recognised matching period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 (for TSSSU+ only)
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Shareholding proofs from Company Registry showing the latest shareholding position of the start-up company (i.e. NNC1/NAR1) (for TSSSU+ only)
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Introduction of the investor(s) of the secured investment (for TSSSU+ only)
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Note 1: One set of signed hard copies of the application materials for all the teams selected after the Final Pitching, must be submitted to below address within a week after result announcement:
2/F, Pao Siu Loong Building,
iDendron,
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Important documents
- ITC Guidelines on Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities [Aug 2024 edition]
- Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU [Sep 2024 edition]
- Annex A – Application Form [Aug 2024 edition] & Annex A(i) – CV templates [Aug 2024 edition]
- TSSSU Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [Aug 2024 edition]
- Declaration Form of Use HKU IP [Oct 2024 edition]
Please refer to the Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU to find out more about TSSSU@HKU including the objectives, the eligibility, the assessment criteria, the financial arrangement and audit requirement.
Programme Timeline
Application Closing Date: 31 October 2024 (Thursday) 5:00 pm (Hong Kong Time)
Pitching Day: Mid-December 2024
Cut-off Date: 15 January 2025
Information Sessions
| 2025/26 TSSSU@HKU Briefing Session + TSSSU Awardee Sharing | |
| Date: | 19 September 2024 (Thursday) |
| Time: | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm |
| Venue: | Innovation Wing 2, G/F Run Run Shaw Building |
| 2025/26 TSSSU@HKU Briefing Session (repeat) | |
| Date: | 10 October 2024 (Thursday) |
| Time: | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Venue: | Zoom |
Briefing Deck: Here
Briefing Video: