Introduction

TSSSU@HKU (Technology Startup Support Scheme for Universities at HKU) is an award scheme for promoting entrepreneurship at HKU. It provides funding support to technology start-up companies formed by HKU members. Companies awarded under the scheme will receive a maximum amount of HK$1.5M per year for at most 3 years for TSSSU‑O and 3 years for TSSSU+ respectively. Convert your new ideas and research achievements into commercially viable products and services! Bring real impact to the society! ACT NOW!

Eligibility

An Eligible Applicant must be from one of the following:

  1. current HKU faculty member;
  2. current HKU student;
  3. graduate of HKU for no more than 5 years and 10 years as of the Cut-off date for TSSSU-O and TSSSU+ respectively, unless the alumnus is an awardee of the last round.

＊The application for TSSSU@HKU must be made by a team (i.e. more than one person), comprising at least one Eligible Applicant.
＊The cash funding will be provided to a start-up company registered in Hong Kong and formed by the team. The technology start-up company has to be registered by the Closing date of the current application year.
＊Preference will be given to inventions, technologies and intellectual properties developed at HKU.
＊For more information about TSSSU-O and TSSSU+, please refer to the ITC Guideline.

Closing date / Application deadline: 24 November 2023 (Friday) 5:00 pm (Hong Kong Time)

Cut-off date: 1 February 2024

 

How to apply

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 for successful application.

Eligible Applicant should :-

  1. Read the Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU.
  2. Prepare one presentation video of around 3-5 minutes introducing the technology and business of the company.

  3. Complete and submit the application form with all relevant supporting documents (such as a file-sharing link (e.g. YouTube/Dropbox) to the presentation video, business proposal and a complete financial plan) electronically to:

    Email: tsssu@tto.hku.hk

    and return 1 set of signed hardcopy within 3 working days of the Closing date to:

    TSSSU@HKU
    Technology Transfer Office
    15/F, K. K. Leung Building,
    The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    NOTE 1: If your team includes HKU students and/or alumni, please attach copies of their student ID cards/graduation certificates for our verification of their HKU identity.

Important documents:

  1. Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU [Sep 2023 edition]   (
    PDF format logo PDF)
  2. Application Form [Sep 2023 edition]   /
  3. ITC Guidelines on Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities [Sep 2023 edition]  (
    PDF format logo PDF )
  4. TSSSU Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [Sep 2023 edition]   

Closing date / Application deadline: 24 November 2023 (Friday) 5:00 pm (Hong Kong Time)



The governing version of this funding scheme is based on the document titled "Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU", which shall prevail in case there are any inconsistencies between this online webpage and the document.

Information Sessions (via Zoom)

 

Briefing Sessions

2024/25 TSSSU@HKU Briefing Session
Date:10 October 2023 (Tuesday)
Time:2pm - 3pm
 
2024/25 TSSSU@HKU Briefing Session (repeat)
Date:25 October 2023 (Wednesday)
Time:2pm - 3pm
 
 

Related resources

List of TSSSU@HKU Awardees
https://www.itf.gov.hk/en/project-search/search-result/index.html?isAdvSearch=1&Page=1&Programmes=TSSSU&ReferenceNo=/HKU/

HKU Technology Startup Guide / Inventor's Guide
https://www.tto.hku.hk/booklet

HKU iDendron - HKU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub
https://idendron.hku.hk/

HKU Entrepreneurship Academy
https://idendron.hku.hk/entrepreneurship-academy-2022-sem1/

HKU IPR Policy
http://www.rss.hku.hk/contracts/ipr

Conflict of Interest (COI) policy and Outside Practice Regulations of HKU (Staff Handbook)
http://www.hr.hku.hk/staff_handbook/

HKU Invention Disclosure (Patent)
https://www.tto.hku.hk/for-researchers/patent-application

HKU Invention Disclosure (Software / Copyright)
https://www.tto.hku.hk/for-researchers/copyright-disclosure

Hong Kong Science & Technology Park - TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme (TPP)
https://www.hkstp.org/what-we-offer/incubation-and-acceleration-programmes/pre-incubation/technopreneur-partnership-programme-tpp/

Hong Kong Science & Technology Park -Incubation Programmes
https://www.hkstp.org/what-we-offer/incubation-and-acceleration-programmes/incubation/hkstp-incubation

Cyberport - CCMF (Cyberport Creative Mico Fund) and Incubation Programme
http://www.cyberport.hk/en/about_cyberport/cyberport_entrepreneurs

Business Start-up Information Service
https://www.success.tid.gov.hk/english/bus_sta_up_inf_ser/bus_sta_up_inf_ser.html

Write a business plan by GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/write-business-plan

Information for TSSSU@HKU Awardees

2022-2023 | 2023-2024

Reminder for TSSSU@HKU 2022 awardees:-

  1. Please submit a half-yearly interim report of your company to TTO no later than 15 October, 2022 (Clause 45 of the Operation Plan)  ; and
  2. Please complete the relevant section in Annex D(ii) and submit the completed form with an annual report of your company to TTO no later than 31 May, 2023 (Clause 45-46 of the Operation Plan)  ; and
  3. Please submit [1] a completed reimbursement request form (Annex B) and [2] the audited accounts of expenditure and the auditor’s report for the previous Government financial year in accordance with the ‘Notes for Auditors’ at Annex C to TTO no later than 30 June, 2023 (Clause 44 of the Operation Plan).

Application documents for the 2022-23 Government Financial Year:

  1. Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU 2022 [27 August 2021 edition]  (
    PDF format logo PDF )
  2. ITC Application and Reimbursement Guidelines [Jul 2021 edition]  (
    PDF format logo PDF )
  3. Annex A - Application Form [Jul 2021 edition]   /
  4. Annex B - Reimbursement Request for the 2022-23 Government Financial Year [Jul 2021 edition]  
  5. Annex C - Notes for Auditors [Jul 2021 edition]  
  6. Annex C(i) - Specimen Auditors’ Report and Statement of Expenditure [Jul 2021 edition]  
  7. Annex D(ii) - Assessment of Technology Start-up for the 2022-23 Government Financial Year [Jul 2021 edition]  
  8. Annex E(i) - Request for Material Modifications to the Approved Budget [Jul 2021 edition]  
  9. Annex E(ii) - Request for Material Modifications to the Approved Business Proposal [Jul 2021 edition]  
  10. TSSSU Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [Jul 2021 edition]   

Reminder for TSSSU@HKU 2023 awardees:-

  1. Please submit a half-yearly interim report of your company to TTO no later than 15 October, 2023 (Clause 43 of the Operation Plan)  ; and
  2. Please complete the relevant section in Annex D(ii) and submit the completed form with an annual report of your company to TTO no later than 31 May, 2024 (Clause 43-44 of the Operation Plan)  ; and
  3. Please submit [1] a completed reimbursement request form (Annex B) and [2] the audited accounts of expenditure and the auditor’s report for the previous Government financial year in accordance with the ‘Notes for Auditors’ at Annex C to TTO no later than 30 June, 2024 (Clause 42 of the Operation Plan).

Application documents for the 2023-24 Government Financial Year:

  1. Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU 2023 [Sep 2022 edition]  (
    PDF format logo PDF )
  2. ITC Application and Reimbursement Guidelines [Aug 2022 edition]  (
    PDF format logo PDF )
  3. Annex A - Application Form [Aug 2022 edition]   /
  4. Annex B - Reimbursement Request for the 2022-23 Government Financial Year [Aug 2022 edition]  
  5. Annex C - Notes for Auditors [Aug 2022 edition]  
  6. Annex C(i) - Specimen Auditors’ Report and Statement of Expenditure [Aug 2022 edition]  
  7. Annex D(ii) - Assessment of Technology Start-up for the 2023-24 Government Financial Year [Aug 2022 edition]  
  8. Annex E(i) - Request for Material Modifications to the Approved Budget [Aug 2022 edition]  
  9. Annex E(ii) - Request for Material Modifications to the Approved Business Proposal [Aug 2022 edition]  
  10. TSSSU Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [Aug 2022 edition]   


The governing version of this funding scheme is based on the document titled "Operation Plan for TSSSU@HKU", which shall prevail in case there are any inconsistencies between this online webpage and the document.

Enquiries

Please send your questions to

Technology Transfer Office
The University of Hong Kong
E-Mail:tsssu@tto.hku.hk
Website:https://tsssu.tto.hku.hk/