PolyU Student Entrepreneurial Proof-of-Concept (POC) Funding Scheme is a funding initiative launched in 2017 as one of the key entrepreneurship education components at PolyU. With the kind support from ‘Dr Winnie S M Tang-PolyU Student Innovation & Entrepreneurship Scholarship’ since 2022, POC Fund aims to instil a problem-driven innovation mindset into young talents through experiential learning and student-initiated research and development.
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:
- A series of I&E workshops/ sharing;
- Introductory training on ‘Location and Geospatial Intelligence’ (if applicable); and
- Two weekly team coaching sessions
Tentative Schedule
Week 1 11 Mar 2023 (Sat) 10:30AM - 4:30PM | TU201
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10:30AM - 10:45AM 10:45AM - 12:45PM 12:45PM - 1:00PM
2:00PM - 3:30PM 3:30PM – 4:30PM |
Registration and Introduction Workshop 1: Design Thinking Introduction of Pao Yue-kong Library’s Support (TBC)
Workshop2: Turn Ideas into Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Introduction of Industrial Centre’s Support and Guided Tour |
Week 2-4 Mar 2023│Online |
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Two weekly team coaching sessions
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Week 4 31 Mar 2023 (Fri) |
Submission of pitching videoand final pitch deck (please refer to Appendix 1 of 'Notes for Application') |
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Application for The 9th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition |
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Week 4-8 29 Apr 2023 (Sat) │Online |
Introductory training on ‘Location and Geospatial Intelligence’ *only applicable to teams using Geographic Information System (GIS)
Session 1: 9:30am to 12:30pm Session 2: 2:00pm to 5:00pm |
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:
- 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)
- Eligible teams which won in PolyU I&E activities (e.g. PolyU Digital Future Challenge, Hong Kong Techathon)
- 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:
- a 10-to-15-slide pitch deck (Template)
- CVs of all team members
- Copy of student IDs or graduation certificates of all team members
- 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
Briefing Session |
31 Jan 2023 (Tue) | 6 - 7 PM | FJ303 |
Submission Deadline |
1PM, 14 Feb 2023 (Tue) |
Eligibility Check & Admission Screening |
Late Feb |
Announcement of Admitted Applicants |
Early Mar |
Proof-of-concept (POC) Bootcamp |
1. Workshops: 11 Mar 2023 (Sat) | 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM | PolyU
2. Introductory training on ”Location and Geospatial Intelligence” 29 Apr 2023 (Sat) | 9:30AM - 5:30PM | Online
3. Weekly team coaching sessions: Mar 2023 | Online
4. Submission of pitching video and final pitch deck: 31 Mar 2023 (Fri)
5. Application for The 9th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (第 9屆香港大學生創新及創業大賽 ) 31 Mar 2023 (Fri) |
Final Screening | Apr 2023 |
ENQUIRY
- (852) 3400 2774/ 2621
- sepoc@polyu.edu.hk