• Attractive Prizes  
  Regional champion prizes reach up to HKD 120,000 (Hong Kong Region) / CNY 100,000 (each Chinese Mainland region), with the chance to advance to the Grand Final and compete for even greater awards! 
 
• Connect with Greater China 
  Gain a key to entering the Greater China market through the cross-border networks of PolyU's Mainland Translational Research Institutes(MTRIs). 
 
• Broaden Your Horizons 
  Participate in entrepreneurial visits in Chinese Mainland and overseas to gain deep insights into entrepreneurship cultures, market dynamics, and real-world practices. 
 
• Continuous Growth 
  Equipped with the 'KT&E Skills Acceleration Hub' training series for all participants, award winners may also receive tuition sponsorship for PolyU's Master of Technology Entrepreneurship (MTE), helping turn their ideas into successful commercial ventures. 

PolyU IFC 2026 welcomes innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world to participate. Application is open to all, regardless of whether they are members of PolyU (including alumni, current staff, and students). Award winners will be required to meet specified collaboration or incubation requirements after receiving the award. For details, please refer to the 'Awards' section.

Step 1

Please read the Terms & Conditions before submitting the application.

Step 2

Each team member to complete the Application Form individually by Sunday, 14 June 2026, 11:59pm.

Step 3

The Principal Applicant to complete the Document Submission Form (individuals who completed Step 2 will be notified on the form) on behalf of the team with the following materials by Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 11:59pm.

1. Personal and contact information of the Principal Applicant and team member(s)
2. A link to a pitching video (maximum 5 minutes) 
3. Pitch deck (PPT or PDF format, not more than 15 slides)
4. Completed Declaration Form for Principal Applicant and Team Members
5. Completed Letter of Confirmation
6. Copy of student ID, graduation certificate, or staff card for all team members.
7. (If applicable) Company registration document showing shareholding details.
8. (If applicable) Completed Declaration of use of PolyU knowledge, innovations, or technologies.
   

Notes

• If the relevant project has won a top 4 award in any region of the PolyU International Future Challenge 2025 or 2026, it will not be eligible to participate.
• There is no limitation on the number of members within a team.
• Each individual can participate in no more than three teams but can only serve as the principal applicant (PA) for one team.
• Teams may apply for multiple competition regions but will be entitled to only one top 4 award.

1. Complete the company registration at competition region; AND
2. Reside in relevant entrepreneurship centre of PolyU Mainland Translational Research Institutes (except Hong Kong Region)
   
   

For “Other Awards”, ONE of the following conditions must be met to receive the cash prizes:

• The team includes one PolyU member (alumni/staff/student) as Principal Applicant with a minimum 10% ownership in the team/company; OR
• The team is an existing licensee of PolyU intellectual property, or to license an intellectual property owned by either The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) or PolyU’s Mainland Translational Research Institutes within six-month of the conclusion of the competition; OR
• The team is a current incubate of PolyU MTRI, or to have a registered company in the designated city and reside in relevant entrepreneurship centre of PolyU Mainland Translational Research Institutes within six-month of the conclusion of the competition

Judging Criteria for Diamond Cup, Gold Award, Silver Award, Bronze Award and Best Student Team Award:

• Innovativeness and/or Technology Content - 25%
• Commercial Feasibility - 25%
• Benefits to industry and community - 20%
• Development Prospect - 15%
• Team Capability - 15%