To further promote an entrepreneurial culture, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) has officially launched the HK$50 million HKMU Startup Fund (the Fund). This initiative aims to encourage students, staff and alumni to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and turn their creative ideas into commercial products or solutions, helping them on a successful business path that contributes to economic growth and benefits the community. Each selected startup can receive investment of up to HK$1 million and enjoy multi-faceted support to start or further enhance its business.

The Fund's launch ceremony was successfully held yesterday (28 February). In his welcome remarks, HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung said that the establishment of the Fund marked another milestone in the University's development, coinciding with its 35th anniversary this year. He expressed confidence that the HKMU community would effectively utilise the platform to go beyond limits and turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. “I eagerly look forward to seeing HKMU startup founders transform their creative ideas into innovations that will benefit Hong Kong and the wider world,” he said.

HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing pointed out that the establishment of the Fund signifies a major step in the University's commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. More than just a financial support, he emphasised that the Fund is also about creating an ecosystem that encourages innovation, fosters collaboration, and promotes a culture of entrepreneurship. “The University will provide a range of support services, including consultations and chats, as well as co-investment opportunities, to help accelerate the growth of the startups,” he said.

The launch ceremony was graced by a number of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Angus Au Hiu-fung, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of startup Future Salad, and a management graduate in HKMU, shared his entrepreneurial experience to encourage HKMUers to bravely pursue their dreams. Future Salad was established based on the concept of turning salad into a drinkable product and is now valued at nearly HK$100 million.

A corporate innovation forum was also held, with guest speakers Jason Chen, President of International Intellectual Property Commercialization Council (Greater Bay Area), Liow Zen Pin, Partner at Ernst & Young Asia Pacific Managed Services, and Kow Ping, CEO of Well Being Digital Limited. They shared their valuable insights on corporate-startup collaboration to co-create innovation for transformative growth.

The Fund was established by HKMU via its wholly owned subsidiary, HKMU Research Development and Consultancy Limited (HKMURDC). The Board of Directors comprises HKMU management and industry leaders, including Peter Yan King-shun, CEO of Cyberport, Bosco Law Ching-kit, Deputy Chairman and CEO of LAWSGROUP, and Arnold Cheng Ka-kui, Director of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of John Swire & Sons (China) Limited.

In addition to investing in startups, the Fund will provide support such as innovation consulting, inspirational talks, ideation chats, training and workshops, mentorship, co-investment opportunities, and so forth. Its mission is to foster the growth of startups by implementing a strategic framework consisting of three pivotal steps – Intention, Co-creation and Growth.

For more details, please visit the Fund's website: https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/hkmurdc/