To help students, alumni, and researchers transform their ideas into start-ups, CityU launched HK Tech 300, a large flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme in March 2021, with an investment of HK$500 million. HK Tech 300 aspires to be the No. 1 university-based entrepreneurship platform in Asia, creating 300 start-ups in three years. Nineteen teams were selected to receive the first cohort seed fund, and another 46 teams were selected to receive funding in the second cohort.

HK Tech 300 is now in full swing. In its latest cohort, 46 teams in the Biotech & Health, Fintech, ICT and AI, Deep Tech, and EduTech and EnviroTech categories were selected to receive a seed fund of HK$100,000 each. Team members from the selected teams joined the orientation day on 6 July 2021.

Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Vice-President (Research and Technology), delivered the welcome address at Orientation Dayand said he hoped all the awarded teams would enjoy every step in their entrepreneurship journey. He pointed out that establishing a business is never easy, and that entrepreneurs need to put in a lot of time and effort to reach their goals. Although there will be many hurdles ahead, he encouraged the teams to be prepared and persistent. He said never giving up is the key to success. He reminded them that they are not on their own, as the University and supporting organisations are there to give strong support. He said he hoped the teams would achieve success soon.

Dr Laura Lo, Associate Vice-President (Chinese Mainland Affairs Office) and Chairman of the HK Tech 300 Incubation Sub-committee, introduced the details of the HK Tech 300 Seed Fund guidelines and reminded all the persons-in-charge of the selected teams that they shouldered great responsibility.

External guests were invited to introduce issues related to opening corporate bank accounts and financial management. Representatives from the University provided information about upcoming events organised by HK Tech 300’s collaborating partners. The teams were encouraged to join different entrepreneurship competitions to accumulate experience.

Orientation Day concluded with the selected teams exchanging views with each other and visiting the co-working space set up for HK Tech 300 teams.