Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU)


Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities

Objective

Launched in 2014, TSSSU provides funding to six universities33 to support their teams in starting technology businesses and commercialising their research and development (R&D) results. In addition to the original component of the Scheme (TSSSU-O), an enhancement measure (TSSSU+) has been implemented starting from 2023-24 to provide dollar-to-dollar matching funds to those start-ups which have demonstrated good growth potential through securing investment from private sector.

Eligibility

A technology start-up will be eligible to apply if –

  1. it is registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance for not more than two years (for TSSSU-O) or not more than seven years (for TSSSU+) as of the date of the application deadline34;
  2. the team forming the start-up may have any mix of the following members of the relevant universities –
    1. undergraduates, postgraduates or alumni; and/or
    2. professor(s) or other faculty members serving as consultant(s) providing technical expertise and direction of the R&D; and
  3. the amount of private investment35 it has secured during the recognised matching period36 is no less than the amount of funding it intends to apply for (for TSSSU+ applicants only).

Key Features

Application

Technology start-ups interested in TSSSU should submit their applications to the knowledge transfer office/technology transfer office/entrepreneurial centre of their associated universities. The six universities have prescribed their respective application forms and guidelines on the handling of TSSSU applications. For details, please refer to their websites –

University Weblink
City University of Hong Kong https://www.cityu.edu.hk/kto/cityuers/funding/technology-start-support-scheme-universities-tsssu
Hong Kong Baptist University http://kto.hkbu.edu.hk/eng/tsssu
The Chinese University of Hong Kong https://www.orkts.cuhk.edu.hk/en/knowledge-transfer/tsssu-fund
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University https://www.polyu.edu.hk/kteo/entrepreneurship/funding_investment/polyventures-angel-fund-scheme/
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology https://okt.hkust.edu.hk/tsssu
The University of Hong Kong http://www.tto.hku.hk/public/tsssu/index.html

Assessment

Applications assessed and recommended by the selection panel of each university will be forwarded to the Innovation and Technology Commission for agreement.

Others

Some examples of the TSSSU-funded start-ups are available at this weblink. For information on the funded start-ups, please refer to the TSSSU Directory.

ENQUIRY
Technology start-ups may contact the knowledge transfer office/technology transfer office/entrepreneurial centre of their associated universities.