Global Vision Tech Incubator is a collaborative programme jointly developed by the PolyU School of Optometry, the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, the University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science, the InnoHK Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP).
This initiative is the first of its kind in Hong Kong, dedicated to advancing innovations in eye care and vision technology. It provides a platform for researchers, young professionals, and entrepreneurs to transform pioneering ideas into real‑world solutions and viable startups.
Participants will benefit from:
- World‑class research expertise and clinical support from PolyU, University of Waterloo, and InnoHK CEVR
- Entrepreneurship training, incubation resources, and funding opportunities from PolyU and HKSTP
- Comprehensive support in startup building and global market expansion
The programme aims to nurture talents, accelerate research translation, and position Hong Kong as a global hub for vision technology innovation.
💡 Funding & Support
Stage 1 – Ideation Support
- Up to HK$100K grant (from HKSTP Ideation Programme)
- Up to HK$120K grant (from PolyU Micro Fund Programme)
- Co‑working space and mentorship support
- Training and coaching through HKSTP and PolyU KTEO (Lean Launcher, entrepreneurship workshops, etc.)
Stage 2 – Incubation Support
- HKSTP Incubation Programme: Up to 1.29M grant/ rental subsidies/ investment fund, training, coaching, mentorship, venture building, dedicated Key Account Manager
- PolyU TSSSU - HK$0.5M annual grant (up to 3 years) + HK$0.5M PolyU EIF top-up, entrepreneurship training, incubation/acceleration programme participation, access to PolyU IP licensing schemes, mentorship, networking, and compliance with probity requirements
🎓 Structured Entrepreneurship Training
- PolyU: Lean Launcher training, MTRIs & InnoHub resources, Chinese mainland market connections
- HKSTP: Learning platform, coaching, mentorship, venture building resources
- Specialized Vision Innovation Workshops: Translational research and commercialization training in optometry and vision science
👁️ Access to World‑Class Vision Facilities
- PolyU & University of Waterloo: Research expertise, eye clinics, and practice environments
- InnoHK CEVR: Advanced laboratories and facilities for vision science and technology
- Clinical practice support and translational research collaborations
🤝 Comprehensive Startup Support
- Co‑working and incubation space at PolyU InnoHub and HKSTP
- Upskill Training, coaching, mentorship, community and networking opportunities
- Dedicated Key Account Manager for incubation journey (HKSTP)
💼 Investment and Business Networks
- PolyU and HKSTP Industry and Investment network
- Global market connections and outreach opportunities
🌍 Global Expansion Support
- Global Booster Programme for international market outreach (subject to further arrangement by HKSTP)
- Greater Bay Area, Chinese mainland and global recourses connections via PolyU and HKSTP
To be eligible for the Global Vision Tech Incubator, applicants must meet the following criteria. We welcome applications from individuals, teams, and early‑stage companies. The proposed project must focus on innovation within eye care, optometry, or vision technology sectors.
Principal Applicant Requirement
The primary applicant or at least one core team member must be a professional in optometry, vision science, or a related healthcare/technology field.
👤 Individuals
We invite applications from optometry and vision science professionals, researchers, postgraduate students, and final‑year undergraduate students with innovative ideas in eye care or vision technology.
👥Teams
Multi-disciplinary teams are highly encouraged to apply. Your team should have a clear focus on developing solutions for vision technology, eye care services and optometry and vision science innovations.
🏢 Companies
Early‑stage startups (e.g., less than two years old and pre‑Series A funding) focused on vision technology are welcome. Your company should be seeking to leverage the unique combination of PolyU and University of Waterloo’s world‑class optometry research and HKSTP’s robust incubation support.
- AI-powered ophthalmic diagnostics
Innovations that use AI or ML to detect, grade, triage, or predict eye diseases
- Advanced ocular imaging, sensing & diagnostic instrumentation
Novel technologies for imaging, sensing, and diagnosing conditions of the retina, optic nerve, cornea, lens, tear film, and visual function
- Myopia, refractive management technologies
Solutions to prevent the onset or slow the progression of myopia and manage refractive error development
- Ocular drug discovery & delivery platforms
Technologies that discover new therapeutics or enhance drug delivery and controlled-release mechanisms to ocular tissues
- Next-generation therapeutics for vision-threatening diseases
Innovations spanning new therapeutic modalities and translational pipelines targeting major causes of vision loss.
- Tear film, ocular surface & dry eye solutions
Diagnostics, therapeutics, devices, and digital tools addressing tear physiology, meibomian gland function, ocular surface inflammation, contact-lens comfort/safety, and dry eye disease.
- Glaucoma, IOP monitoring & ocular biomechanics innovations
Technologies that improve the detection, monitoring and management of glaucoma risk, intraocular pressure (IOP) dynamics, aqueous humour outflow, and ocular biomechanics
- Vision enhancement, visual neuroscience & neuro-visual rehabilitation
Innovations that improve visual performance or functional vision through perceptual learning, sensorimotor training, non-invasive neuromodulation, and other neuro-visual therapies
- Advanced optometric technologies & smart devices
Next-generation tools for optometry, including objective refraction, binocular vision assessment, smart contact lenses, wearable sensors, AR/VR-assisted tools, and assistive technologies for low vision
- Personalized & precision eye care
Innovations that enable stratified/personalized eye care through the integration of biomarkers, multi-omits data, and advanced analytics to link biological signatures to risk, prognosis, or treatment response.
Process
- The selection takes place in two stages including interview by a vetting committee
Criteria
- Team Competency
- Commercial Potential
- Innovativeness
- Research & Development
1st Stage – 12 months Ideation & Translation Stage
2nd Stage – Incubation/ Commercialization Stage
- Potential PolyU TSSSU/ EIF support
- HKSTP Incubation Programme
(Upon completion of Ideation Programme satisfactorily)
