STRENGTHENING HIGH-GROWTH ICT START-UPS. Cyberport Incubation Programme

Transcription

1 STRENGTHENING HIGH-GROWTH ICT START-UPS Cyberport Incubation Programme

2 Cyberport Incubation Programme Strengthening High-Growth ICT Start-ups On-site and Off-site Incubation are calling for application NOW! The Cyberport Incubation Programme supports the development of the Hong Kong ICT industry by providing incubated companies with access to advanced facilities and resources, support in business development, financing & hiring of graduate interns, as well as entrepreneurship and technology training. Financial assistance or reimbursement of up to HK$530,000 will be made to incubated companies in a 24-month incubation period for jump starting their business. The ICT sectors supported by the Scheme include but not limited to the following: Emerging Internet Web 3.0 Applications Cloud Computing Mobile Applications Digital Entertainment Creative Digital Lifestyle

3 Three Types On-Site / Off-Site Incubation Programme The On-site and Off-site Incubation Programmes aim to support the development of the Hong Kong ICT industry. Both on-site and off-site incubated companies (incubatees) will enjoy access to advanced facilities and resources, support in business development, financing & hiring of graduate interns, as well as entrepreneurship and technology training. Financial reimbursement of up to HK$330,000 will be made to incubated companies in a 24-month incubation period. In addition, on-site incubatees will enjoy a rent-free office in the Centre which is equivalent to an in-kind sponsorship of HK$200,000 during the 24-month incubation period. Network Incubation Programme The Network Incubation Programme aims to support the readily start-up registered companies outside Hong Kong to explore business networking opportunities with Cyberport incubatees and to extend their businesses in the Asian region. Network incubatees will be entitled to a maximum financial aid of HK$30,000 for air tickets, event registration fees and accommodation expenses for attending Cyberport events in Hong Kong. To apply for the Network Incubation Programme, your company must be endorsed by an overseas incubator or be invited by Cyberport. Types of Incubatee On-site HK registered start-ups with office at Entrepreneurship Centre Off-site HK registered start-ups with office outside Entrepreneurship Centre Network Overseas start-ups under Cyberport global network Programme Financial Assistance Up to HK$530,000 Up to HK$330,000 Up to HK$30,000 Rent Free Office Space 24-month rent free office 12-month special tenancy rate after incubation x x Centre Facilities Shared meeting rooms, Solution Lab, Demonstration Area, etc. Technology Support 75% off for Web 3.0 technology services Enterprise Management 75% subsidies on professional services 50% or up to HK$9,000 monthly salary subsidies for interns 75% training subsidies to incubatees and 50% to alumni * Business Development Meetings and networking opportunities Marketing & Promotion Up to HK$50,000 subsidies x * Network incubatee: 75% or up to HK$30,000 subsidies on travelling, accommodation and admission expenses for events in HK.

4 Vetting Committee The vetting and admission of Incubation Programme is administered by a 15-member Entrepreneurship Centre Advisory Group (ECAG) comprised of industry professionals, academic and NGO leaders. Industry Professionals (7) 1. Mr. Anthony AU (Chairman) Director Futuresuccess Consultants Limited 2. Mr. Vincent HO Director, General Manager 3GTV (Hong Kong) Limited 3. Mr. Laurie KAN Principal ON Capital 4. Mr. Marvin LAI Managing Principal / Co-Chairman Burgeon Group Consulting Ltd., and Venture Committee Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA) 5. Dr. Johnny NG Chairman Goldford Venture Capital 6. Mr. Denis TSE Head of Private Markets Asia Lockheed Martin Investment Management Company 7. Mr. K.T. YUNG Consultant Academic (4) 8. Prof. Ali BEBA Center Director, HKUST Entrepreneurship Center The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology 10. Prof. Hugh THOMAS Director, Center for Entrepreneurship Chinese University of Hong Kong 11. Dr. Alwin WONG Director, Innovative Technology Research Syndicate, and Associate Director, Technology and Product Development Institute for Enterprise The Hong Kong Polytechnic University NGO and Associations (4) 12. Mr. John CHIU Honorary Chairman Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association 13. Mr. Gabriel PANG Chairman Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association 14. Mr. Jonathan T.O, SHEA CEO Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited 15. Mr. Hon Pia SUEN Founding Chairman IT Service Management Forum (itsmf) - Hong Kong Chapter 9. Prof. Zhi-Qiang LIU Professor, School of Creative Media City University of Hong Kong

5 Vetting Procedure On-site / Off-site Incubation Incubatees will be selected by Vetting Committee derived from ECAG members. The selection is a three-stage process including an Initial Screening, a Vetting Meeting and a Presentation Session. The details for each stage are outlined as follows: Stage I: Initial Screening An initial screening will be conducted by the Entrepreneurship Centre upon receipt of all applications. The objective of the Initial Screening is to ensure that the submitted applications have fulfilled the eligibility criteria listed in the Application Form and the Guides & Notes of Incubation Programme. Stage II: Vetting Meeting Five or more ECAG Members will form a Vetting Meeting to evaluate the applications and identify shortlisted candidates for the Presentation Session. Stage III: Presentation Session A minimum of three members comprising Vetting Meeting Members or senior management from the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited will form a Presentation Session Vetting Committee to confirm the admission of incubatees. Each shortlisted candidate is required to conduct a 10-min presentation followed by a 5-min Q&A session. Network Incubation Network Incubatees must be overseas companies endorsed by overseas incubators or invited by Cyberport to participate in this programme. Vetting Criteria On-site and Off-site Incubation Programme applications will be reviewed with the following criteria: Quality and competence of the management team Creativity and innovation of the proposed project, product and service Market and business viability Benefit to Hong Kong s ICT industry The proposed six-monthly milestones for the project or business after admission Vetting Criteria does not apply to network incubation programme.

6 Admission Selected incubatees are required to sign an agreement as proof of their acceptance of the terms and conditions of admission into the Incubation Programme. How to Apply Download the application form at Complete the form and return 1 softcopy and 3 hardcopies to the following address: Cyberport Incubation Programme Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co. Ltd. Entrepreneurship Centre Units 518, Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road, Hong Kong ecentre@cyberport.hk You are strongly recommended to read this Brochure and the Guides and Notes in details before submitting your application.

7 FAQ Q1 A1 Q2 A2 Q3 A3 Q4 A4 Q5 A5 Q6 A6 Q7 A7 Q8 A8 Q9 A9 What is the Incubation Programme? This is an incubation programme administered by the Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre to support the development of the Hong Kong ICT industry. The Programme will provide incubated companies (incubatees) with access to advanced facilities and resources, support in business development, financing & hiring of graduate interns, as well as entrepreneurship and technology training for a period of up to two years. On-site incubatees will additionally enjoy a rent-free office in the Centre. Who is eligible for the Incubation Programme? 1. Business entities already incorporated preferred. (If you are not, you should form one soon.) 2. Applicants must have sufficient funds or have plans or potential to raise sufficient funds to operate for at least one year. 3. Applicants must have the passion and ambition to start up a new company or develop a new project / product in digital entertainment. What is the difference between on-site and off-site incubation? Both on-site and off-site incubated companies will receive the same level of support and financial assistance, and be liable to the same monitoring and review processes. The only difference is the provision of a rent-free office for on-site incubated companies. What benefits will my company receive if I join as an off-site incubatee? As an incubated company, you will gain access to the network of international and local business partners of Cyberport, and the range of training programmes organised by our Centre. Your company will be entitled to financial assistance in the following areas according to the prescribed percentages of subsidies and guidelines: 1. Equipment rental & service fees at the Technology Centre of Cyberport (75%) 2. Training expenses (75%) 3. Promotion and marketing expenses (75%) 4. Legal and consultant fees (75%) 5. Internship staffing cost (50%) In addition, your company is entitled to describe itself as an incubated company of the Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre to enhance its profile. What additional benefits and responsibilities will my company have as an on-site incubatee? On-site incubatees will be allocated a rent-free office in our Centre. The only fees they have to pay are: 1. 50% of the monthly management fee, which includes advanced I.T. infrastructure and 24-hour air-conditioning except Sundays and public holidays, plus, 2. A share of the electricity charge of the incubatee area along with other incubated companies. Can my company apply for off-site incubation first and switch to on-site incubation later? Yes. If off-site incubated companies need an office in the future, they will be given a higher priority subject to availabilities Should my company apply for on-site or off-site incubation? It depends. Typically, off-site incubated companies have their own offices. On-site incubation will benefit companies which are in genuine need of a rent-free office and advanced I.T. infrastructure to help start up their new business or projects. How can my company apply for the Incubation Programme? Fill in the application form, which can be downloaded at: follow instructions and guidelines to complete the form. What is the procedure involved? Submit application >> Vetting process >> Publish results >> Sign agreement >> Move in Q10 A10 Q11 A11 Q12 A12 Q13 A13 Q14 A14 Q15 A15 Q16 A16 Q17 A17 Q18 A18 Q19 A19 Is there any application fee involved? No fees are involved for the whole application process. What do I need to write in the application? 1. Company background 2. Project background (including market analysis) 3. Project / product information 4. Revenue / marketing plan 5. Implementation plan / development milestones 6. Financial plan 7. Core members credentials What product / project information is needed? You should tell us your: 1. Project title or product name 2. Detailed description of your project / product 3. Goals you want to achieve 4. Process of how you will achieve it. Uniqueness, market niche and creativity, as well as innovation, are important to striking success What should I include in the revenue / marketing plan? You should show us your: 1. Target market and target audience 2. Business model 3. SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis Do I need to include my development process? Certainly. You need to tell us your specific and realistic action plan for every 6-month stage throughout the development process. This is known as development milestones. What do I need to include in the financial plan? Your budget should include your projected income and expenditure on a monthly basis up to your product launch or the end of the incubation period, whichever is later. Figures should be realistic with respect to the market situation. In general, expenditure will include personnel, equipment, marketing and other office expenses. What additional information about my project / product do I need to provide? It will certainly help if you can provide more solid information such as: 1. Samples / demonstrations of your previous work, or the pilots of your proposed project / product. 2. Proven track records or your relevant experience. How can I submit my application? 1. You can send your application in zip file and to: ecentre@cyberport.hk (or tell us your FTP site for download if it is too big for ). 2. Mail your hardcopy and CD / DVD (if applicable) to: Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co. Ltd. Entrepreneurship Centre, Units 518, Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road, Hong Kong. Please write Incubation Programme Application on the envelope. When can I apply? You can apply now for the November 2011 intake. The results for applications received on or before 30th November 2011 will be announced in January / February Applications received after 30th November 2011 will be automatically assigned to the next batch of application review tentatively set in May or June Where can I get more information? You are always welcome to contact us any time during office hours at , or via or fax at ecentre@cyberport.hk or respectively.

8 Enquiries For enquiries, please contact: Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre Unit 518, Level 5 Core F, Cyberport Cyberport Road, Hong Kong Tel: (852) Fax: (852) ecentre@cyberport.hk Website: