SEED

SEED is a joint co-ideation programme in partnership with HKSTP for students and graduates.
SEED is an early-stage startup support programme designed specifically for innovative or startup projects in any discipline or industrial sector. Awardees will be provided with training and coaching opportunities, as well as be supported for participating in various startup competitions.
This Programme runs twice a year with cut-off dates on the last Sundays of February and August. Please contact Tim Cheung at 3910 2726 or tim.cheung@hku.hk for more details.
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What Do We Offer?
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Structured Entrepreneurship Training
Three-week training for entrepreneurial skills, incl. business modelling and market validation
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Opportunity to receive up to HKD100K Funding from HKSTP Ideation Programme
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Opportunity to receive 6-month iDendron Membership for HKSTP Ideation Programme Awardees s
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Community and Networking
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Nomination for External I&E Competitions
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Public Exposure
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AWS
AWS Credit*: Seed teams will have the opportunity to be referred by TEC and qualify for:
A total of US$15,000 in AWS credits through the AWS Activate Startup Program:
US$5,000 in AWS credits
US$10,000 rebate*Subject to change depending on AWS and TEC. The selection process may be conducted by AWS.
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HULT 2026
Top teams from the SEED programme will be shortlisted for the final selection of the team that will advance in the Hult Prize competition—one of the world’s largest social entrepreneurship competitions with a US$1 million prize. This process is subject to change based on Hult Prize eligibility criteria and TEC.
The timeline for HULT 2026 has not been released yet, but should be similar to HULT 2025, which you may take reference: https://www.hultprize.org/
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Innovator Farm
Social entrepreneurs and teams are encouraged to apply. SEED teams may be referred by TEC to Innovator Farm to participate in their capacity building programme and potentially apply for a grant via Innovator Farm.*
*Please note that this is subject to changes by Innovator Farm and TEC. The selection process for grants will be managed by Innovator Farm.
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Eligibility
- Principal Applicant must be an HKU member (student, staff, or alumnus of HKU or its affiliated institutions) with at least 20% ownership in the applying or to-be-established company AND
- Have an innovative idea from any discipline, including class work, final year projects, research initiatives, or self-initiated projects AND
- For Individual applicants: Are an HKID holder aged 18 or above, OR
- For Company applicants: Have a limited company incorporated in Hong Kong for less than 2 years by the application start date, OR
- For Team applicants: Have a team (must incorporate a limited company in Hong Kong within 2 weeks once approved by the HKSTP IDEATION admission panel.
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Selection Process & Criteria
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Process
The selection is based on paper-based assessment; for those that are interested in HKSTPIdeation Programme, there will be an additional interview or pitch recording evaluation by a vetting committee.
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Criteria
- Individual or Team Competency
- Business Development Potential
- Innovativeness
- Research & Development
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Programme Timeline