RAISe+ Scheme

Funding Stages:

The scheme comprises two stages. Research/startup teams could choose to join the scheme starting from either the first or the second stage depending on maturity of tranformation of R&D outcomes. 

• First Stage:  transformation and realisation of R&D outcomes within around 36 months (completion of applied R&D work and production of prototype) ; and 
• Second Stage:  initiation of the commercialisation of R&D outcomes within the remaining time frame of the project (launch of products/services in the market).  

The duration of each of the first and second stages should not exceed 36 months and the total project period should not exceed 60 months.

Funding Amount:

• Minimum HK$10M & maximum HK$100M for each project on a matching basis*
• Ceiling funding amount: $100M covering both stages
• Limit of funding amount of each stage: $60M each

*About the Matching

As part of the Scheme’s requirements, the teams must also have the capacity to attract a certain level of capital investment and/or in-kind support from the industry and the University.

The higher the degree of industry contribution and the more certain /unconditional the industry contribution, the stronger the industry has demonstrated its interest in the project. This level of industry involvement indicates a greater potential for commercialization, which is indeed more favorable during the vetting process of the RAISe+ Scheme. 

• The University as the Applicant, while project teams will be responsible for carrying out the project.
• The Project team may include any mix of personnel essential for delivering the project, including but not limited to the following members of the University:
  > Undergraduates, postgraduates or alumni; and/or
  > professor(s) or other faculty members
• A Person-in-charge (“PIC”) must be appointed among the project team who should be associated with the university, hold a senior position in the team or the startup. The PIC is responsible to
  > Oversee operations of the project or start-up; and
  > Liaise with the university on matters relating to the RAISe+ Funding
• Research teams/ company spun-off from R&D centres/labs admitted to InnoHK centres are eligible for the scheme. However, transformation and realisation of R&D outcomes which have already received or will receive subsidy from InnoHK would not be eligible.
• For project commencing from the first stage, the Project team is encouraged to form a company before project commencement.
• For project commencing from the second stage, the Project team is required to form a company prior to project commencement  (Note: the company registered for not more than 7 years as of the deadline of the relevant application exercise).
• Location of project-related work: At least 50% of R&D work and 50% of other non-R&D work should be conducted within territory of HK.
• Rejected applications cannot be re-submitted in the immediate next application exercise unless the necessary revisions have been made to address the reason(s) of rejection.
  

Proposal submission for 3rd application solicitation exercise

PIC of the Research team / startup should submit the application to the online platform by 21 Jul 2025. Afterwards, applications with endorsement by Faculty/School Dean is required

Please refer to the Annex A of Funding and Administrative Guidelines for RAISe+  at https://www.itf.gov.hk/en/raiseplus to the respective aspects of the assessment items. 

• Templates of Letter of Commitment and Presentation Deck