What you get
HK$120,000 for final winners and a route into HKSTP's Ideation or Incubation programme
PolyU's competition-style fund for early start-ups, run with HKSTP. Winners get PolyU funding and a conditional route into HKSTP's Ideation or Incubation programme.
Who can apply
- A team with a PolyU member as person in charge
- If already incorporated, the company was set up within 24 months of the deadline
Timeline
- Applications open28 Aug 2026
- Online briefing11 Sep 2026
- Applications close9 Oct 2026, 1pm
- Eligibility screening and paper assessmentMid to late October 2026
- Semi-final winners announcedMid-November 2026
- Lean Launchpad programme2 Dec 2026 to 13 Jan 2027
What to prepare
- Pitch deck of up to 15 slides, in English or Chinese
- Three-minute pitching video on YouTube
- CVs of all team members
- Proof of PolyU affiliation
Tips
- Semi-final winners get HK$20,000 and a conditional place in HKSTP Ideation; final winners HK$120,000 and a conditional route to HKSTP Incubation.
- Read the eligibility rules twice. Most rejections are about company age, ownership or where the work happens, not the idea.
- Plan cash flow. Many schemes pay in instalments or reimburse costs after you spend them.
- Keep records from day one. Every scheme audits spending, and clean books make the next application easier.
General tips from our funding guide.