PolyU Student Entrepreneurial Proof-of-Concept (POC) Funding Scheme

Eligibility:
PolyU current students (please refer to 'Notes for Application' for details)

Nature:
Student scholarship and Proof-of-Concept (POC) bootcamp

Student Scholarship:
Up to HK$20,000 

No. of Projects Supported per Cohort:
Around 40

Application Period:
Twice a year

Training Element:

• Proof-of-Concept (POC) bootcamp covering Design Thinking, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and more
• Dedicated team coach

All admitted team members will undergo an intensive 4-week long R&D programme comprising the following before the final screening:

1. A series of I&E workshops/ sharing;
2. Introductory training on ‘Location and Geospatial Intelligence’ (if applicable); and
3. Two weekly team coaching sessions 

Tentative Schedule

ELIGIBILITY

A team with at least one current student of PolyU/ HKCC/ SPEED (both undergraduates and postgraduates) as Principal Applicant (PA) (Team size: max. 5)

DIRECT ENTRY OPPORTUNITIES

The following eligible teams will be granted direct entry to the Scheme:

1. Eligible teams which participated in public I&E competitions which can either be theme-based or open to any types of innovations (see Appendix 1 of 'Notes for Application') and met a threshold requirement (i.e. being shortlisted in the 1st round of assessment)
2. Eligible teams which won in PolyU I&E activities (e.g. PolyU Digital Future Challenge, Hong Kong Techathon)
3. Outstanding projects from PolyU’s Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) or recommended by PolyU faculty members

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1PM, 14 Feb 2023 (Tue)

Complete the online application (see 'Online Application Manual') with the following documents uploaded:

1. a 10-to-15-slide pitch deck (Template)
2. CVs of all team members
3. Copy of student IDs or graduation certificates of all team members
4. The below supporting documents if applicable:

• Proof of participating in public I&E competitions and being shortlisted in the 1st round of assessment
• Proof of winning PolyU I&E activities
• Nomination form endorsed by PolyU faculty members

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(for Admission and Final Screening)

• Team competency (20%)
• Business development potential (30%)
• Innovativeness (30%) 
• Research & Development (20%)

IMPORTANT DATES

• Notes for Application
• Online Application Manual
• Pitch Deck Template
• Declaration of Use of PolyU Knowledge Innovations and Technologies
• Nomination Form