Micro Fund Scheme

Calling For:
Innovative technology solutions with viable business models to create industry and/or social impact

Eligibility:

• A team with:

• Current Student of PolyU, HKCC, SPEED; or
• Alumnus/Alumna of PolyU, HKCC, SPEED; or
• PolyU Staff; or
• PolyU GBA Startup Postdoc; or
• Key owner-operator of PolyU Technology Licensee

      as the Principal Applicant (PA)

• The application shall not be a project or company funded in previous cohorts

Funding Stage:

A seeding stage funding programme for teams preparing to establish a start-up or having a company incorporated within 24 months as of the application deadline.

Grant:
1st assessment (Elevator Pitch):

• HK$20,000 Cash Prize from PolyU
• Conditional offer of admission to HKSTP Ideation Programme (up to HK$100,000), subject to HKSTP's discretion.

2nd assessment (Final Presentation):

• HK$100,000 Seed Fund from PolyU
• Conditional offer of admission to HKSTP Incubation Programme (up to HK$1.29 million), subject to HKSTP's discretion.

Training & Support:

• Mentorships and other pre-incubation support (ALL Shortlisted Teams)
• Lean Launchpad Programme for market validation (Top Performers ONLY)

Application Period:

Twice a Year –

• Cohort 1:  5 Sep 2024 – 29 Oct 2024 (Tue), 1:00pm
• Cohort 2: Q1 2025

Application Process:

The Principal Applicant (PA) should complete the online application and upload the following documents on or before the application deadline:

1. Share link of Pitch Deck (within 15 slides of PPT in English or Chinese)
2. YouTube link of a 3-minute Pitching Video
3. CVs of all team members
4. Copy of student ID/ graduation certificate/ staff card of each PolyU member
5. License Agreement or “Declaration of Use of PolyU Knowledge/ Innovations/ Technologies” (Download Area), if applicable 

Timeline:

Please read the Application Handbook  before application. No late submissions will be accepted.

APPLY NOW

Modelled after similar programmes from the US National Science Foundation I-Corps and Lean LaunchPad Singapore, Lean Launchpad Programme (LLP) is an evidence-based journey that helps research and start-up teams uncover the market and application potential of their research and project through rigorous market validation and guidance from experienced industry mentors.

Reference from previous LLP projects

Express License and Trial License Schemes of Intellectual Properties (IPs) of PolyU are NOW available for participants’ consideration. For details, please refer to the Express License and Trial License Schemes and IP Portal.

Micro Fund 2024-25 Cohort 1 | Application Deadline: 29 Oct 2024 (Tue) 1:00pm

• MF Leaflet
• MF Application Handbook (with Guidelines and FAQ)
• Declaration of Use of PolyU Knowledge/Innovations/Technologies
• Online Application Guides
• Online Briefing Session Information

Micro Fund 2023-24 Cohort 2 | Application Closed

• MF Leaflet
• MF Application Handbook (with Guidelines and FAQ)
• Declaration of Use of PolyU Knowledge/Innovations/Technologies
• Online Application Manual

1. Purpose of Collection

The personal data provided by you to Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (“PolyU”) will be collected, retained, processed, used and transferred (within or outside of Hong Kong) for the following purposes:

• Processing your inquiries, application, registration or request for services, activities and facilities;
• Facilitating communications with you;
• Facilitating implementation of PolyU’s policies and procedures, and monitoring compliance with the same;
• Enabling PolyU to comply with any applicable procedures, laws, regulations or court orders (in each case whether in Hong Kong or overseas), any requests by government, statutory, regulatory or law enforcement authority, and valid legal processes, ordinances obligations;
• Conducting quality assurance, surveys and review, statistical analysis, and research; and
• Other purposes directly relating to any of the above.

2. You are required to provide your personal data, other than those items indicated as optional. Failure to provide such data may lead to inability to process your application, registration or request for services, activities and facilities, or maintain contact with you.

3. Disclosure and Transfer of Personal Data

PolyU will keep your personal data confidential and only authorized members will have access to and handle your personal data. PolyU may disclose or transfer your personal data to PolyU staff, assessment panels, partners, service providers and contractors engaged in activities on behalf of PolyU within or outside Hong Kong solely for the purposes set out in paragraph 1 above.

PolyU may also disclose your personal data when authorized or required by law and in response to requests from law enforcement agencies, government departments or regulatory authorities, or where required to protect PolyU’s rights or properties.

4. Access and Correction of Personal Data
You have the right to request for access and correction of your personal data held by PolyU. Any data access and correction request according to the Ordinance should be made in writing to the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office at micro.fund@polyu.edu.hk . A fee may be imposed for processing your data access request.

5. Security, Accuracy and Retention of your Personal Data
PolyU takes reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, misappropriation, unauthorized access or destruction of your data. PolyU also takes reasonable steps to ensure that all personal data held by it is accurate, complete, correct and reliable for the intended use.
Your personal data will be retained by PolyU according to its policy on retention of data and records.

6. Privacy Policy Statement
You may refer to https://www.polyu.edu.hk/web/en/privacy_policy_statement/ for the Privacy Policy Statement of PolyU.