Startup Funding in Hong Kong: University Programmes for Student Founders and Early-Stage Startups

Across Hong Kong’s public universities, entrepreneurship is now part of the campus ecosystem. Many universities offer startup funding, mentorship, training, workspace, investor access and pathways into larger incubation programmes such as Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) and Cyberport.

For student founders, researchers and alumni, this can be a useful place to begin. You may be able to test an idea, build a prototype, form a company or apply for early funding through your own university before looking for external investors.

The challenge is knowing where to start. Each university has its own startup programmes, eligibility rules and funding structure. Some are designed for student ideas. Others are built for research commercialization, deep tech ventures or startups already preparing to raise investment. Below is a practical guide to startup support and university startup funding at five major publicly funded universities in Hong Kong.

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The University of Hong Kong (HKU): Startup support for student founders, deep tech and research commercialization

The Centennial Campus of the University of Hong Kong. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

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HKU offers a wide range of entrepreneurship support through HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Core, also known as HKU TEC. Its programmes cover early ideas, deep tech projects, Greater Bay Area (GBA) expansion, research commercialization and investor matching.

HKU is especially relevant for founders working with university research, intellectual property or technology-led business ideas. It also has entry-level support for students and graduates who are still testing an idea.

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HKU startup programme	Who it is for	Funding or investment	Key eligibility points	Main support
HKU SEED Programme	Early-stage student and graduate startup ideas	Opportunity to receive up to HK$100,000 through the HKSTP Ideation Programme	The principal applicant must be an HKU member with at least 20% ownership. Open to individual, team or Hong Kong company applicants.	Three-week entrepreneurship training, coaching, HKSTP Ideation pathway, iDendron membership for awardees, networking and competition nomination.
HKU DeepTech100+	Deep tech projects and research-backed startups	Up to HK$1.39 million	The person-in-charge must be an HKU member with at least 20% ownership, or the startup must be an HKU IP licensee.	One-year HKU TEC and HKSTP co-incubation, training, HKSTP facilities, iDendron membership and fast-track route to HKSTP incubation.
Tech-Up GBA Innovators Programme	HKU-linked startups expanding into the Greater Bay Area	Up to HK$600,000, including grant and interest-free loan components	The startup team must include HKU linkage or HKU IP. Young entrepreneur rules (e.g. the PIC and core team members must be between the ages of 18 and 39) also apply.	Up to two years of mentorship, GBA training, workspace in Hong Kong and Shenzhen/Qianhai, professional services and market access support.
TSSSU@HKU (Technology Start-Up Support Scheme for Universities)	HKU technology startups moving toward	HK$400,000 to HK$1.5 million per year, for up to three years under each track	The applying startup must have at least two members. The PIC must be an HKU student, staff member or alumnus. HKU members must hold at least 20% ownership in total.	R&D funding, business setup support, iDendron membership, networking and possible Qianhai grant matching.
HKU Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF)	HKU-linked startups raising seed to Series A capital	Investment partners may invest US$0.5 million to US$5 million	At least 20% ownership must be held by HKU members, or the startup must license HKU IP.	Connection to EEF investment partners for independent evaluation.
iDendron@HKU	HKU founders needing workspace and community support	Not applicable	HKU-linked founders and eligible startups.	Co-working space, hot desks (HK$900 for six months), meeting rooms, mentoring, events and startup community access.

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Best fit: HKU works well for student founders, researchers and alumni who want a structured route from idea stage to technology commercialization.

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City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK): HK Tech 300 and a clear startup pathway

City University of Hong Kong. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

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CityUHK’s main startup platform is HK Tech 300. It is one of the clearest university startup pathways in Hong Kong because it is built in stages: training, seed funding, angel investment and access to external funding.

The programme is open to CityUHK students, alumni, research staff and members of the public using CityUHK intellectual property or technology.

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CityUHK startup programme	Who it is for	Funding or investment	Key eligibility points	Main support
HK Tech 300 Training	Teams learning startup basics	Sponsored training worth more than HK$10,000 per project team	Open to eligible CityUHK-linked teams and external founders using CityUHK IP or technology.	Startup basics, business plan development, pitching and team formation.
HK Tech 300 Seed Fund	Early teams turning ideas into startups	HK$100,000 per successful team	Person-in-charge must show association with CityUHK.	6 to 12 months of funding support, product development milestones and preparation for Angel Fund application.
HK Tech 300 Angel Fund	Startups ready to validate a business model	Up to HK$1 million angel investment	Usually for eligible teams after Seed Fund progress or equivalent readiness.	Business model validation, MVP development, investor exposure and incubation support.
HK Tech 300 Launching Stage	Startups ready for larger support	Access to external funds of up to HK$10 million	For eligible startups after the incubation phase.	Referrals to ITC, HKSTP, Cyberport and other partner programmes.
HK Tech 300 International and National Startup Competitions	Startups entering CityUHK’s ecosystem through competitions	Competition-linked opportunities, including access to HK Tech 300 support	Competition-specific rules apply.	Pitching, exposure, business matching and possible funding pathways.

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Best fit: CityUHK is a strong choice for founders who want a step-by-step startup journey with clear funding stages.

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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST): Startup funding for tech founders and research teams

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

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HKUST has a broad startup ecosystem with support for students, alumni, researchers and faculty. Its entrepreneurship pathway covers idea exploration, prototyping, MVP testing, research commercialization and investment.

The university’s startup support is especially strong for technology companies, deep tech projects and teams commercialising HKUST research.

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HKUST startup programme	Who it is for	Funding or investment	Key eligibility points	Main support
HHKUST IPIC Incubation - HKUST IPIC Incubation - Stage 1 Ideation (Through Entrepreneurship 101 Training or Entrepreneurship Bootcamp)	Students, alumni, researchers and faculty across different startup stages	Stage 1 includes HK$3,000 in-kind company registration support	HKUST-linked founders.	Structured pathway from ideation to prototyping, implementation and commercialization.
Stage 2 Prototyping (Through HKUST Dream Builder)	Student-led teams building a proof of concept or MVP	Up to HK$100,000 per startup team	The main applicant must be a full-time current HKUST student. At least two full-time current HKUST students must play founder or co-founder roles.	Funding, training, mentorship, workspace at theBASE and external outreach.
Stage 3 Implementation (Through HKUST x HKSTP Co-Ideation Programme)	Early-stage HKUST-linked startups	Up to HK$100,000	The team must include at least one HKUST member. HKUST members must hold at least 10% ownership if a company is formed.	Six-month programme, three milestones, coaching, HKSTP training and preparation for HKSTP incubation.
Lo Kwee Seong Tech-Ship Fund	Faculty-student teams commercializing HKUST research	Extra support of up to HK$200,000 is listed through HKUST’s IPIC pathway	Faculty research and student entrepreneurship collaboration.	Commercialization support for faculty technologies and student startup teams.
Bridge Gap Fund	HKUST researchers developing university IP for commercial use	Typically up to HK$500,000 for 12 months	Must use HKUST IP. PI must be full-time HKUST faculty.	Prototype development, market research, customer discovery, IP development and DeepTech Incubation Programme access.
TSSSU@HKUST	HKUST technology startups commercializing R&D	Up to HK$1.5 million per year under TSSSU-O or TSSSU+	The applying company must be registered in Hong Kong. HKUST members must usually hold at least 10% ownership.	Startup setup, R&D, manpower, equipment, promotion and marketing support
HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund(E-Fund)	HKUST technology startups raising investment	Initial investment up to HK$5 million per startup	The applying startup must be at least 10% owned by HKUST faculty, staff, students or alumni and established for no more than seven years.	Early-stage investment, co-investment model and long-term capital support.
HKUST Greater Bay Area Youth Entrepreneurship Fund Programme	Young HKUST-linked founders building in Hong Kong or the GBA	Up to HK$250,000	HKUST-linked founder requirements and youth entrepreneur rules apply.	GBA startup funding, mentorship, product development and market expansion support
RAISe+ Scheme via HKUST	Research teams with large-scale commercialization potential	Scheme-level support can range from HK$10 million to HK$100 million per approved project	Research commercialization teams with industry-matching requirements.	Large-scale R&D transformation and commercialization support

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Best fit: HKUST is especially useful for tech startups, deep tech teams and founders who need a route from prototype to commercialization.

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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU): Startup funding for product, applied research and GBA expansion

Hong Kong Polytechnic University. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

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PolyU’s startup support is practical and product-focused. Its programmes cover early ideas, seed-stage teams, Greater Bay Area expansion, translational research and investment.

This makes PolyU a good fit for founders working on engineering, hardware, applied technology, social impact or commercialization of university research.

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PolyU Startup programme	Who it is for	Funding or investment	Key eligibility points	Main support
Ideation Funding Scheme	Student teams with early ideas	HK$5,000 basic prize, with possible nomination to other entrepreneurship programmes	The team must be formed by PolyU students. The principal applicant must be a current student of the collaborating faculty or school.	Early idea validation and entrepreneurship learning
PolyVentures Micro Fund Scheme	Seed-stage teams preparing to form a startup or have incorporated companies within 24 months	Up to HK$1.41 million in total support from PolyU and HKSTP Ideation or Incubation routes	The principal applicant can be a current student, alumnus, staff member, translational startup postdoc or key owner-operator of a PolyU technology licensee.	HK$20,000 cash prize for shortlisted teams, HK$100,000 PolyU Seed Fund for awardees, HKSTP pathway and mentorship
PolyU GBA Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme	Young entrepreneurs entering the Greater Bay Area market	HK$600,000 seed funding	Funding is granted to the successful applicant’s Hong Kong limited company and released by milestones.	Two-year incubation, mentorship, training, expert advice, Hong Kong and mainland co-working spaces and GBA network access
Translational Startup Postdoc Programme	Recent PhD graduates commercializing PolyU research	Annual remuneration of up to HK$348,000 and project support, including prototyping (a maximum of HK$50,000 per year) and outreach funding (a maximum of HK$15,000 per year)	Applicant needs a PolyU academic supervisor and a recent or near-completed doctoral degree.	Free workspace at InnoHub, mentorship, KTEO support, investor access and pathways to Micro Fund, Angel Fund and EIF
PolyVentures Angel Fund Scheme / TSSSU route	Technology startups needing larger commercialization support	Up to HK$800,000 matching fund of up to three years	The applying startup team must include PolyU linkage and meet the scheme requirements.	Startup setup, R&D, manpower, equipment, marketing and commercialization support
PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund (EIF)	PolyU-linked startups raising early-stage investment	Up to HK$4 million	The applying startup must have at least one PolyU member holding at least 10% equity or must license PolyU IP.	Equity, convertible note or SAFE investment, co-investment support, R&D facilities, mentoring and industry networks
RAISe+ Scheme via PolyU (EIF)	Research teams commercializing major R&D outcomes	Scheme-level support can reach HK$10 million to HK$100 million per approved project	Research commercialization and industry matching requirements apply.	Large-scale research transformation and commercialization support
ASCEND Tech for Good Programme (EIF)	Youth-led tech-for-good startups	Up to HK$3 million per successful applicant	Hong Kong-registered startup or company with youth-led requirements.	Two-year incubation and support for digital equity and social impact ventures

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Best fit: PolyU is well suited for product-led startups, applied technology projects, GBA expansion and founders who want industry-facing support.

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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK): Startup support from idea stage to technology commercialization

Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

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CUHK offers support for student founders, researchers and alumni through the Pi Centre and the Knowledge Transfer Office. Its ecosystem covers pre-incubation, TSSSU funding, early translational research, social impact projects and Greater Bay Area entrepreneurship.

CUHK is especially useful for students who want to start with an idea and later move into funding, mentorship or external incubation.

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CUHK Startup programme	Who it is for	Funding or investment	Key eligibility points	Main support
PILOTS Lite x HKSTP Co-Ideation / Pi Centre	CUHK students at the idea or pre-incubation stage	Up to HK$130,000	Open to CUHK undergraduate and postgraduate students, full-time or part-time. The principal applicant must be a current CUHK student. Applicants must not already have registered a business for the project.	One-year programme, seed funding, workshops, mentoring, networking, free co-working space and fast-track preparation for incubators
TSSSU@CUHK	CUHK technology startups commercializing R&D	TSSSU-O: up to HK$600,000 per year. TSSSU+: up to HK$1 million per year in matching funds. Both can run for up to three years	The PIC must be a current full-time student, current full-time professor or alumnus who graduated within the last 36 months. Technology readiness requirements apply.	Financial support, potential HKSTP incubation, investor access, industry partner access and mentorship
IdeaBooster Fund @CUHK	CUHK researchers developing early translational projects	HKD 100,000 – HKD 200,000 per project	Mainly for full-time CUHK academic staff, eligible teaching or research staff and selected postgraduate research students case by case.	Early project development, impact-focused research translation and fast-track interview opportunity with HKSTP Co-Ideation
Knowledge Transfer Venture Impact Fund Knowledge Transfer Venture Impact Fund (KT-VIF) @CUHK	CUHK academic-led ventures with scalable social impact	Up to HK$300,000 for two years	Mainly for CUHK professoriate or research academic staff-led teams.	Business development consultancy, publicity support and partnership liaison
Knowledge Transfer Impact Project Fund (KT-IPF) @CUHK	Late-prototype research projects with social innovation potential	Up to HK$200,000	Mainly for full-time CUHK staff on professoriate or research academic ranks. The venture must be CUHK-affiliated and have been incorporated for more than three years.	Support for turning research-based prototypes into real-world social-impact solutions
Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurship Scheme / BESGO FoundRise	CUHK students and young alumni building GBA-focused ventures	Up to HK$600,000 per selected team	Students and young alumni, with scheme-specific selection.	Two-year funding and incubation, mentorship, expert guidance and GBA venture-building support
RAISe+ via CUHK	Research teams with large-scale commercialization potential	Scheme-level support can reach HK$10 million to HK$100 million per approved project	University research commercialization teams.	Large-scale R&D commercialization and industry matching
ASCEND Tech for Good Programme (EIF)	Youth-led tech-for-good startups	Up to HK$3 million per successful applicant	Hong Kong-registered startup or company with youth-led requirements.	Two-year incubation and support for digital equity and social impact ventures

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Best fit: CUHK is a good starting point for student founders who need pre-incubation support, and for researchers moving early-stage ideas toward commercial use.

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Which Hong Kong university startup programme should you choose?

There is no single best programme for every founder. The right choice depends on your stage, your university connection and the type of startup you are building.

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Founder stage	Good starting points
You have an idea but no company yet	HKU SEED, CityUHK HK Tech 300 Training, HKUST Dream Builder, PolyU Ideation Funding Scheme, CUHK Pi Centre
You are building a prototype or MVP	HKUST Dream Builder, HKUST x HKSTP Co-Ideation, CityUHK Seed Fund, PolyU Micro Fund, CUHK PILOTS Lite
You are commercializing university research or IP	HKU DeepTech100+, HKU TSSSU, HKUST Bridge Gap Fund, HKUST TSSSU, PolyU EIF, CUHK TSSSU
You want Greater Bay Area startup support	HKU Tech-Up GBA, PolyU GBA Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme, HKUST GBA Youth Entrepreneurship Fund, CUHK GBA Entrepreneurship Scheme
You are ready for investment You are commercializing university research or IP	HKU EEF, CityUHK Angel Fund, HKUST E-Fund, PolyU EIF

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The bottom line

Hong Kong’s university startup ecosystem is bigger than many founders realize. If you are a student, alumnus, researcher or university-linked founder, your campus may already offer a route into funding, mentorship, workspace and incubation.

The key is to choose a programme that matches your current stage. Some founders should start with idea validation. Others may be ready for seed funding, TSSSU support or investment.

Before applying, check the latest deadline and eligibility rules on the official university page. These programmes change often, and some funding rounds open only once or twice a year.

Keep Reading

Artificial Intelligence

Beyond the Screen: Reimagining AI and Virtual Human Technologies

Where Hollywood magic meets AI intelligence — Hong Kong becomes the new stage for virtual humans

Ventureport Media Team

Updated

February 7, 2026 2:18 PM

William Wong, Chairman and CEO of Digital Domain. PHOTO: YORKE YU

In an era where pixels and intelligence converge, few companies bridge art and science as seamlessly as Digital Domain. Founded three decades ago by visionary filmmaker James Cameron, the company built its name through cinematic wizardry—bringing to life the impossible worlds of Titanic, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and the Marvel universe. But today, its focus has evolved far beyond Hollywood: Digital Domain is reimagining the future of AI-driven virtual humans—and it’s doing so from right here in Hong Kong.

Digital Domain created a commercial with 80 photorealistic digital avatars. PHOTO: DIGITAL DOMAIN

“AI and visual technology are merging faster than anyone imagined,” says William Wong, Chairman and CEO of Digital Domain. “For us, the question is not whether AI will reshape entertainment—it already has. The question is how we can extend that power into everyday life.”

Though globally recognized for its work on blockbuster films and AAA games, Digital Domain’s story is also deeply connected to Asia. A Hong Kong–listed company, it operates a network of production and research centers across North America, China and India. In 2024, it announced a major milestone—setting up a new R&D hub at Hong Kong Science Park focused on advancing artificial intelligence and virtual human technologies. “Our roots are in visual storytelling, but AI is unlocking a new frontier,” Wong says. “Hong Kong has been very proactive in promoting innovation and research, and with the right partnerships, we see real potential to make this a global R&D base.”

Building on that commitment, the company plans to invest about HK$200 million over five years, assembling a team of more than 40 professional talents specializing in computer vision, machine learning and digital production. For now, the team is still growing and has room to expand. “Talent is everything,” says Wong. “We want to grow local expertise while bringing in global experience to accelerate the learning curve.”

The Avengers’ Thanos. PHOTO: DIGITAL DOMAIN

CG character by Digital Domain. PHOTO: DIGITAL DOMAIN

Digital Domain’s latest chapter revolves around one of AI’s most fascinating frontiers: the creation of virtual humans.

These are hyperrealistic, AI-powered virtual humans capable of speaking, moving and responding in real time. Using the advanced motion-capture and rendering techniques that transformed Hollywood visual effects, the company now builds digital personalities that appear on screens and in physical environments—serving in media, education, retail and even public services.

One of its most visible projects is “Aida”, the AI-powered presenter who delivers nightly weather reports on the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). Another initiative, now in testing, will soon feature AI-powered concierges greeting travelers at airports, able to communicate in multiple languages and provide real-time personalized services. Similar collaborations are under way in healthcare, customer service and education.

“What’s exciting,” says Wong, “is that our technologies amplify human capability, helping to deliver better experiences, greater efficiency and higher capacity. AI-powered virtual humans can interact naturally, emotionally and in any language. They can help scale creativity and service, not replace it.”

To make that possible, Digital Domain has designed its system for compatibility and flexibility. It can connect to major AI models—from OpenAI and Google to Baidu—and operate across cloud platforms like AWS, Alibaba Cloud and Microsoft Azure. “It’s about openness,” says Wong. “Our clients can choose the AI brain that best fits their business.”

Establishing a permanent R&D base in Hong Kong marks a turning point for the company—and, in a broader sense, for the city’s technology ecosystem. With the support of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) in Hong Kong, Digital Domain hopes to make the city a creative hub where AI meets visual arts. “Hong Kong is the perfect meeting point,” Wong says. “It combines international exposure with a growing innovation ecosystem. We want to make it a hub for creative AI.”

As part of this effort, the company is also collaborating with universities such as the University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University to co-develop new AI solutions and nurture the next generation of engineers. “The goal,” Wong notes, “is not just R&D for the sake of research—but R&D that translates into real-world impact.”

The collaboration with OASES underscores how both the company and the city share a vision for innovation-led growth. As Peter Yan King-shun, Director-General of OASES, notes, the initiative reflects Hong Kong’s growing strength as a global innovation and technology hub. “OASES was set up to attract high-potential enterprises from around the world across key sectors such as AI, data science, and cultural and creative technology,” he says. “Digital Domain’s new R&D center is a strong example of how Hong Kong can combine world-class talent, technology and creativity to drive innovation and global competitiveness.”

Digital Domain’s story mirrors the evolution of Hong Kong’s own innovation landscape—where creativity, technology and global ambition converge. From the big screen to the next generation of intelligent avatars, the company continues to prove that imagination is not bound by borders, but powered by the courage to reinvent what’s possible.