Start with the university, not a company application
The Innovation and Technology Fund's RAISe+ page identifies a UGC-funded university as the applicant and requires industry sponsorship. It distinguishes transformation and realisation of research outcomes from the initiation of commercialisation. Entry stage depends on maturity and the applicable requirements.
A startup's university connection does not mean that the company itself can submit directly. Explain the research origin, team stage and proposed participants to the responsible university office. Establish whether the project is entering the university's current process before scheduling the remaining work. An open government window does not establish that an internal submission is still possible.
Turn industry interest into clearly described work
A potential partner may discuss funding, testing, an application or a market need. Record those separately. Willingness to continue a conversation is not a committed contribution, and willingness to try a product is not an agreement to invest.
A prospective user might help specify operating conditions and acceptance questions; an engineering partner might help define another prototype iteration. These can be useful commercial conversations. Whether a contribution qualifies for the scheme, and what evidence is required, must still be checked against current guidance and university instructions.
Use one plan for technology, industry and spending
This editorial preparation structure is not an official form or a prediction of approval.
| Question | Material to prepare | People to align |
|---|---|---|
| What can the research do now? | Completed work, existing prototype and unresolved tests | Research lead and university |
| Who may use it? | Application, user and validation conditions | Prospective users and industry partners |
| What must the next phase deliver? | Milestones, owners and acceptance evidence | Team, university and relevant partners |
| How does money support the work? | Spending scope, contribution status and timing | University finance and project management |
| How can results reach the market? | Product role, delivery, support and open questions | Startup team and commercial participants |
A test expense should connect to a question the project needs to answer. Broad labels such as “develop a platform” or “expand overseas” are not enough to tell each participant what work or resources are expected.
Hong Kong-Shenzhen links are not a relocation assumption
University research in Hong Kong and engineering or supply-chain experience in the Greater Bay Area can meet around specific questions. Which module needs another prototype? Who can comment on the intended application? Does a quotation include testing and support? A useful cooperation direction does not automatically establish funding eligibility for the activity.
The September 2026 Funding and Administrative Guidelines address responsibilities and financial arrangements among the university, team and company, with the university responsible as applicant and project manager. Submit the proposed location, responsible party and expenditure together for university review. Do not promise that all cross-boundary work will be funded.
The purpose is a shared scope of work, not the appearance of partnerships that do not yet exist.
Keep three funding states separate
Preparing an application, awaiting assessment after submission, and receiving formal approval with the relevant arrangements are different states. Scheme funding, industry contributions and company financing also involve different evidence and decisions. A project introduction should specify its date and actual stage.
Investors can be told what technical or market test comes next and what work the team hopes to finance. An unapproved grant is not cash received. An industry introduction is not a financing commitment. Investment terms, IP arrangements and eligibility require the relevant professional review.
Where can a Jimhang conversation begin?
Jimhang Capital, founded by Justin Zhan, focuses on links between Hong Kong research entrepreneurship and Greater Bay Area industry. Teams can discuss non-confidential project communication, engineering questions, industry needs and preparation for venture conversations. This does not replace university or government assessment or imply an official scheme partnership.
Send a non-confidential introduction to justin@jimscapital.cn, identifying the university, project stage and main industry question. Unlike company-oriented TSSSU support, RAISe+ should first be understood through its university application and research-commercialisation structure. See our HKUST TSSSU guide and deadline update for the separate process.
Checked 18 October 2026 against the current official page and September 2026 guidelines. University deadlines, stage selection, contribution recognition and approval remain subject to the responsible authorities. No grant or financing outcome is guaranteed.