Launched in 2011, Micro Fund (MF) is the first funding initiative to cultivate innovative and entrepreneurial ambience in the PolyU community and to promote knowledge transfer and commercialisation of PolyU’s innovations and technologies.
With funding and support up to HK$1.51 million from PolyU and HKSTP Ideation and Incubation Programmes, the funding scheme aims to bolster PolyU early-stage start-ups with high-quality business propositions and social impact.
(Please click the link above to access the NEW Online Application Form. It may require a long loading time.
For details, please refer to the Online Application Guides.)
Application Deadline: 29 Oct 2024 (Tue), 1:00pm
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:
- Share link of Pitch Deck (within 15 slides of PPT in English or Chinese)
- YouTube link of a 3-minute Pitching Video
- CVs of all team members
- Copy of student ID/ graduation certificate/ staff card of each PolyU member
- License Agreement or “Declaration of Use of PolyU Knowledge/ Innovations/ Technologies” (Download Area), if applicable
Timeline:
Schedule |
Micro Fund Scheme 2024-25 Cohort 1 |
27 Sep 2024 (Fri) or |
Online Briefing Session |
29 Oct 2024 (Tue) 1:00pm |
Application Deadline |
Early Nov 2024 |
Eligibility Screening |
21 - 26 Nov 2024 (Thu - Tue) |
Elevator Pitch |
Early Dec 2024 |
Announcement of Shortlisted Teams & Top Performers |
9 Jan – 3 Mar 2025 |
Lean Launchpad Programme for Market Validation |
Late Feb 2025 |
Declaration and Disclosure Exercise |
9 - 10 Apr 2025 (Wed - Thu) |
Final Presentation |
Mid-Apr 2025 |
Announcement of Awardees |
Please read the Application Handbook before application. No late submissions will be accepted.
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ENQUIRY
- (852) 3400 2625 / 2627 / 2678
- micro.fund@polyu.edu.hk