Funding Support & Incubation Program

Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU Scheme) 

Program details

Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU Scheme) 2027-28

TSSSU aims to support CUHK professors, students and alumni to transform their research output into a real business. With the TSSSU funding and dedicated support by Knowledge Transfer Office, CUHK members can focus more on the commercialization of technology and innovation of the University.

The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Hong Kong SAR Government has set up the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) to encourage students, professors, and alumni from the six local universities, including CUHK, to start their own technology companies to commercialize R&D results.

From 2023-24 onwards, TSSSU comprises TSSSU-O and TSSSU+. TSSSU-O is the original component of the scheme which provides funding support to start-ups to commercialize the R&D results and innovative ideas. TSSSU+ is an enhancement measure to provide dollar-to-dollar matching funds* to start-ups which have demonstrated good growth potential through securing investment from private sector.

What will TSSSU Scheme give you?

Financial Support

• (Successful TSSSU-O applicants) may receive up to HK$ 600,000 funding per year in 2027-28 for potentially up to three years
• (Successful TSSSU+ applicants) may receive up to HK$ 1,000,000 matching fund per year in 2027-28 for potentially up to three years

Business and Technical Support

• Potential to join HKSTP’s Incubation Programme*
• Access to potential investors and industry partners
• Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurship consultant

*Subject to conditions

Eligibility of Person-in-Charge (PIC)

• Current Full-time Students (either UG or PG), or
• Current Full-time Professors, or
• Alumni graduated within the last 36 months, unless the alumnus/alumna is an awardee of the last round of TSSSU

Requirements

• For TSSSU-O & TSSSU+ applications, preference will be given to those who are entitled to exploit technology owned or licensed from CUHK (excluding those technology developed from InnoHK Centres incorporated by CUHK). If a patent application has not been filed at the time of submission of a TSSSU-O or TSSSU+ application, the applicant should consider submitting an Invention Disclosure Form or a Copyright Disclosure Form and Assignment to the KTO IP and Technology Licensing Team.
• The technology involved in the application must reach the required Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Physical Science Engineering technology must reach TRL 4 or above and HealthCare technology must reach TRL 3 or above
• The number of members of the Company must be at least two including the eligible applicant. For the applicant(s) under TSSSU-O, active members of CUHK should be the effective majority of shareholders of the Company. For the applicant under TSSSU+, CUHK reserves the final decision right on the effective majority of shareholders for the CUHK active members.

Note

1. The applicant can apply for TSSSU+ directly if it has secured private investment. However, after successfully obtained funding under TSSSU+, it cannot revert to apply for TSSSU-O.
2. The applicant cannot apply for TSSSU-O and TSSSU+ simultaneously during the same funding year. 
3. For any enquiries about the TSSSU-O or TSSSU+ application, please contact Sandy Tung (Tel: 39431558, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Billy Wong (Tel: 39430638, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further details.

Application Deadline: 1 Nov 2026 (Sun), 11:59pm

Online CU Webform for Application (Apply Now) [Compulsory]

• TSSSU-O
• TSSSU+

Important Documents & Application

Application Guidelines (CUHK_TSSSU_Guidelines_2027-28.pdf, 2027-28 version)

Application Form (Annex A_2027-28.pdf/ Annex A_2027-28.docx, 2026 version) [Compulsory]

Template of Curriculum Vitae (Annex A(i)_2027-28, 2026 version) [Compulsory]

Application Form for Staff Engagement (WORD) [Compulsory] / Endorsement Form for CUHK Student/ Alumnus (WORD)

Applicant Declaration on IP Ownership and InnoHK Participation (WORD) [Compulsory]

ITC Guidelines (TSSSU_Guidelines_2026.pdf, 2026 version)

ITC TSSSU FAQ(PDF, 2026 version)

TSSSU Information Session Slides (PDF)

TSSSU HR Related Matters (PDF)

TSSSU 2027-28 application timeline