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Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyActive

HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund

Minority equity investment in qualifying HKUST startups, not a prize or reimbursement grant.

Visit official websiteLast verified: 2026-08-25

Official facts

Quick Facts

Provider
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Programme type
Equity investment
Target stage
Pre-seed / Seed
Maximum support
Official programme material describes initial investment of up to HK$2 million per startup
Duration
Not publicly specified
Matching required
Not publicly specified
Equity required
Yes
Hong Kong company required
Not publicly specified
Company age limit
Generally no more than 5 years under published programme material
Team requirement
Not publicly specified
Application status
Active
Application model
Rolling

Editorial analysis

Who is it for?

This fit analysis is based on published eligibility and programme positioning. It is not an admission guarantee.

Companies with an HKUST founder or technology link that are ready for equity investment.

Founder profile
StudentRecent graduateFounder teamResearcherProfessor
Stage fit
Pre-seedSeed
Sector fit
AI / Machine LearningSoftwareDeep TechHardwareBiotechnologyHealthTechFinTechGreenTechEducationOther
These fit tags are our interpretation of published eligibility, not an official commitment.

Who is probably not a good fit?

Teams outside the published applicant, sector, stage or company conditions should not apply solely because of the headline support. Check the current guide and weigh administration, cash-flow and reporting costs.

Financial and operating support

Maximum support
Official programme material describes initial investment of up to HK$2 million per startup
Payment model
Not reimbursement-based
Stackability
This is minority equity investment and should be modelled with other rounds and university IP arrangements.
Double funding and cash flow
Investment terms and diligence apply; it is not a reimbursable university grant.

Eligibility

Published requirements

  • eligible HKUST startup
  • HKUST members collectively own at least 10% under published programme material
  • Generally no more than 5 years under published programme material
Practical recommendation

Before investing in an application, verify applicant entity, company age, team, IP, budget, matching cash and eligible costs. Ask the programme directly about anything not published.

Editorial analysis

Application process

Unless an official guide says otherwise, this is an application-preparation framework, not an official assessment sequence or timing promise.

  1. 1

    Read the latest programme page and guide

  2. 2

    Confirm applicant, stage and sector eligibility

  3. 3

    Prepare project, team, budget and supporting evidence

  4. 4

    Apply through the official channel and answer assessment requests

  5. 5

    After admission, follow the agreement for milestones, reporting and claims

Sources

Official Resource Library

We provide official links, versions and structured explanations only. Original documents are not rehosted.

This page provides a plain-language interpretation of official materials. The official source remains authoritative.

Official webpage

HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund official programme source

The provider's official programme page for checking current purpose, eligibility, support and application access.

Original language
English
Version
Not publicly specified
Published
Not publicly specified
Last verified
2026-08-25
View official document

Related programmes

HKUST-Sino One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship CompetitionAn annual university venture competition offering cash prizes, feedback and visibility.CUHK Pi Centre PILOTS Lite x HKSTP Co-IdeationSeed support, training and workspace for a CUHK student-led team that has not yet incorporated.PolyU Micro FundEarly seed support from PolyU; any linked incubation support requires a separate application and is not automatic.PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment FundEquity, convertible or SAFE investment in eligible PolyU ventures, with final terms set by transaction documents.

Relevant strategies

University spin-offResolve IP ownership and licensing before stacking university seed support, incubation, talent and R&D funding.

Related official updates

Government reply outlines startup support available to one-person companies2026-06-17 · Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau

Related visa and status guides

Starting a company or receiving support does not automatically create visa, extension or permanent-residence eligibility. Immigration decisions remain case-specific.

Immigration Arrangements for Non-local GraduatesA work and stay route for non-local graduates of Hong Kong institutions.General Employment PolicyAn employment route generally based on a genuine professional role with a Hong Kong employer.Quality Migrant Admission SchemeAn admission route for highly skilled or talented applicants.Hong Kong permanent residence and right of abodeUnderstand ordinary residence, the seven-year requirement and long-term status planning.

Sources and maintenance

Each programme links to a primary source and records the current page or guide version. Editorial strategy is maintained separately from official facts.

This knowledge base provides general business information, not legal, tax, accounting, investment or immigration advice. Obtain professional advice before signing shareholder, investment, IP, employment or funding documents.