SEED
SEED is a joint co-ideation programme in partnership with HKSTP for students and graduates.
SEED is an entrepreneurship development programme designed primarily for students and aspiring innovators at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Open to participants from all disciplines and industry sectors, the programme helps individuals develop an entrepreneurial mindset, identify real-world challenges, and transform innovative ideas into meaningful opportunities.
Awardees may receive up to HK$100,000 in funding support, along with training, mentorship, and coaching. Through design thinking workshops, startup competitions, and innovation activities, participants will gain practical experience in idea generation, user validation, and solution development, building a strong foundation for future venture creation.
This programme runs twice a year, with application deadlines on the last Sunday of February and August.
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Benefits and Support
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Up to HK$100K (HKSTP Ideation Programme)
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3-week Entrepreneurship training
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6-month iDendron Membership
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I&E competition nominations
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Community and Networking
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Public Exposure
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Eligibility
Applications must be submitted by a Person-in-Charge (PIC) and meet the following requirements:
- Person-in-Charge (PIC)
- Principal Applicant must be an HKU member (student, staff*, or alumnus of HKU or its affiliated institutHKU member (student, staff, alumnus, or HKU-affiliated institution member) aged 18+ with a valid Hong Kong Identity Card
- Company Entity
- Company incorporation is not required at the time of application. If approved, applicants must incorporate a Hong Kong limited company.
- If already incorporated, the company must be a Hong Kong-incorporated limited company less than 24 months old at the programme start date.
- HKU member(s) must hold at least 20% equity in the applicant company (or company to be established).
- Project Proposal
- Have an innovative idea from any discipline, including class work, final year projects, research initiatives, or self-initiated projects.
For full eligibility requirements for admission to the HKSTP Ideation programme, please refer to their official programme guideline accordingly.
Notes
According to the prevailing HKU Staff Handbook, approval must be obtained from the University before serving as directors of non-charitable private companies through their startup activities, or other external activities, including consultancy work.
- Professoriate staff members are required to submit applications through the “Outside Practice Management System” via the HKU portal. For details, please refer to Regulations Governing External Activities.
- For non-professoriate and non-academic staff should submit an application to the Head of Department. For details, please refer to Regulations Governing External Activities.
In addition, all staff members who engage in startup activities are required to complete the Online Form of Declaration of Interest (Startup Activities) through the designated HKU online system.
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Application & Assessment Process
Application:
- Read the Guidelines before submitting any application
- Submit the online application form along with the following supporting documents: Pitch Deck (max. 15 slides, English or Chinese) & Proof of HKU affiliation of the PIC (e.g. student ID, graduation certificate, or staff card)
Assessment:
- The initial assessment is based on paper-based assessment;
- Shortlisted teams will be invited to attend 3-week Entrepreneurship training
- Outperforming teams will be invited to submit 5-min pitching recording and pitch deck for 2nd round of paper assessment (Co-panel with HKSTP Ideation Programme)
- Announcement of Awarded teams
Criteria
- Team Competency
- Business Development Potential
- Innovativeness
- Research & Development
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Programme Timeline
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Enquiry
(Email) tecseed@hku.hk / (Tel) 3910 2726