HKSTPC launches TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme

(HONG KONG) 10 November, 2014 － Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTPC”) today announced with great delight the launch of TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme (“TPP”), which marks the Corporation’s commitment in expanding its comprehensive support to technology entrepreneurs beyond the geographical boundaries of Science Park. On the same occasion, TecONE and Soft Landing Centre were also opened officially as enhanced services to back the start-up community.  

 

Witnessing the thriving growth of the city’s entrepreneur circle, HKSTPC spearheaded the set up of TPP with 19 partners, including 13 start-up organisations such as CoCoon, Paperclip and Nest; and 6 local universities, namely The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong Baptist University. These committed partners all pledged to establish closer ties to better serve the young enterprises at large.   

 

Under this Programme, HKSTPC will extend its comprehensive support and services to technology start-ups of the TPP partners located across Hong Kong; on the other hand, the technology enterprises in the Park could also get access to the diversified resources provided by the TPP partners. While creating greater synergy through resource sharing, TPP responds to the common needs and challenges faced by start-ups through a wide range of services which fall into six key categories: investment and fund raising, business development, soft landing services and laboratory support, coaching and training, promotion and community outreach, and consultation for admission of incubation programmes. All of which are crucial to start-ups at their inception stage.  

 

 

Mr. Allen Ma, Chief Executive Officer, HKSTPC, expressed his excitement at the ceremony, “The start-up community in Hong Kong has been flourishing in recent years. For example, according to figures from Company Registry, the number of newly set-up private companies has recorded a sharp increase of 76% over the past 5 years, skyrocketing from 98,000 in 2008 to 173,000 in 2013. The number of start-up community in town also soared from less than 10 two years ago to 37 today, which is almost a quadruple increase. At HKSTPC, we have been receiving enthusiastic response from start-ups enquiring and applying for our Incubation Programmes.” 

 

“Given the rising entrepreneurial spirit in Hong Kong, by launching TPP we are building one of the most extensive networks for technology entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. This marks a great leap forward for the Corporation. Through connecting the industry, fostering collaborations and nurturing talents, Science Park is no longer just a technology hub in Shatin, but a robust base that radiates the vibrant ecosystem of innovation and technology to the entire start-up community. This is crucial to accelerate our city’s technological advancement and enhance our competiveness,” Mr. Ma continued.       

 

Resonating with its mission to nurture technology start-ups, HKSTPC also opened TecONE and Soft Landing Centre in Science Park. TecONE is a one-stop resource centre jointly set up and managed by HKSTPC and Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”). Riding on HKPC’s successful experience in running the SME One centre at its headquarter in Kowloon Tong, TecONE is set up in Science Park to provide technology SMEs with comprehensive advisory services such as public funding schemes, industry support programmes and business financing, all of which are significant for fledging businesses. With its strong industry connections, HKPC is also bringing in their expertise and providing professional advices to technology start-ups on the commercialisation of their innovative ideas. 

 

For Soft Landing Centre, it provides a flexible 'home-base' environment for technology companies from around the world to explore the markets of Hong Kong, Mainland China and the Asian region. The Centre offers a great opportunity for users to make the most out of the vibrant community with close to 500 technology companies in Science Park, to exchange ideas and explore collaborations with like-minded industry talents. Likewise, the Centre will be a great platform for local start-ups to get connected with foreign counterparts and explore joint partnerships. Furthermore, professional consultants will be providing legal and accounting advisory services on a regular basis at the Centre.

 

For a full list of TPP partners and highlights of TPP support, please refer to Appendix A and Appendix B respectively.  

HKSTPC officially launched its TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme (“TPP”) today. Addressing the opening ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Mr Allen Ma said the HKSTPC spearheaded the set-up of TPP with the industry to build one of the most extensive networks for technology entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. The Programme which connects the community of technology start-ups beyond the Science Park, will ensure that, young enterprises will no longer be travelling through the start-up journey alone. At the same event, TecONE and the Soft Landing Centre in Science Park were also officially opened to enhance the Corporation’s support to technology start-ups.

Mr Allen Yeung, Vice President, Business Development and Technology Support of HKSTPC, together with Mr Simon Squibb, Chief Executive Officer of Nest, one of the TPP partners, are pictured discussing the start-up scene in Hong Kong, during which they highlighted the support and services of TPP at the ceremony.

 

Backed by the objectives of resource sharing and enhancing synergy, TPP has attracted support from 19 partners, including 13 start-up organisations and six local universities. The Programme provides supporting services in six key areas, including investment and fund-raising, business development, promotion and community outreach, soft landing and laboratory support, coaching and training, and qualifying for Incubation Programmes.

Resonating with its mission to nurture technology start-ups, HKSTPC and Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”) jointly set up TecONE, as a one-stop resource centre. Mrs Agnes Mak, Executive Director of HKPC, explained the philosophy of TecONE and introduced its services at the ceremony. Riding on the success of SME ONE in the headquarter of HKPC at Kowloon Tong, TecONE will provide comprehensive advisory services such as government funding schemes, industry support programmes and financing solutions which are significant for fledging businesses.

TPP is supported by 19 partners, including 13 start-up organisations and six local universities, all pledged to collaborate closely and offer diversified support to local technology start-ups.

 

Appendix A
List of Partners of TenoPreneur Partnership Programme (“TPP”)

HKSTPC spearheaded the launch of TPP with 19 partners, including 13 start-up organisations and 6 local universities:

1) Start-up Community (in alphabetical order)

No.	Name
1	Blueprint - Swire Properties Limited
2	Cocoon
3	Dim Sum Labs
4	Fashion Farm Foundation
5	Garage Society
6	Incu-Lab Limited
7	Nest
8	Paperclip HK Services Ltd
9	Retro Creative Limited
10	Startup Commune
11	The Workground
12	UNO Co-working Space
13	Wynd Limited

2) Universities (in alphabetical order)

No.	Name
1	City University of Hong Kong
2	Hong Kong Baptist University
3	The Chinese University of Hong Kong
4	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
5	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
6	The University of Hong Kong

Appendix B 
Highlights of Support of TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme (“TPP”)

TPP provides supporting services in six key areas, responding to the common needs and challenges faced by start-ups:

1) Investment and fund-raising: investment training and seminars on tips and tactics in looking for angel investment and venture capital. Business-matching services with access to HKSTP VC Partnership Programme and network of Hong Kong Business Angel Network (“HKBAN”).

2) Business Development: riding on HKSTPC’s network to increase exposure and expand businesses into local and international markets through trade shows or exhibitions. Moreover, industry exchange and mingling events will be held to connect technology start-ups with potential customers to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations. Professional consultancy services will also be provided to accelerate business growth of the start-ups.

3) Promotion and Community Outreach: promotion and publicity support to help start-ups market their products and services, e.g. participation in exhibitions and pavilions led by HKSTPC, press conferences for product launch and media management.

4) Soft Landing and Laboratory Support: discounted rates for using the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and Soft Landing Centre in Science Park. TechONE is also jointly set up and managed by HKSTPC and Hong Kong Productivity Council as a one-stop resource center for technology SMEs.

5) Coaching and Training: workshops, training, conferences and forums to equip the entrepreneurs with the skills required to run a business, such as finance and accounting knowledge, management skills, and marketing and sales.

6) Qualifying for Incubation Programmes: Professional advice will be provided to help start-ups gain deeper understanding of HKSTPC’s Incubation Programmes and be better prepared for the application.