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"Douyin: Strategies and Skills for Mainland E-commerce Platforms" Seminar

In this seminar, an online marketing expert is invited to provide an in-depth introduction to the characteristics, user groups and operational techniques of the Mainland e-commerce platform Douyin.  The expert will also share the tips for marketing on Douyin, such as effective brand promotion, fan interaction and sales growth, with a view to assisting SMEs in improving promotion efforts in developing businesses in the Mainland.

[Entrepreneur Day 2023] Meet with Start-ups to Learn about Opportunities in the Greater Bay Area

Entering its 15th anniversary, “Entrepreneur Day” organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will resume its physical form this year! "Entrepreneur Day" will be held from 7 to 8 December this year. Under the theme of "Building Resilience, Boosting Collaboration", a series of exhibitions, seminars, workshops, start-up competitions, business matching, and networking activities will be organised. The event aims to explore how the global start-up ecosystem can develop in a diversified and balanced manner after the entrepreneurial boom; analyse the latest innovation and technology trends; and encourage start-ups to utilise Hong Kong as a platform to explore the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the international market in order to look for potential business partners. The event will bring together nearly 300 start-ups, invention projects and support services providers from 10 countries and regions. Among them, 50 start-up teams funded by the “Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” under the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will also participate in the exhibition. This scheme aims to provide funding to non-governmental organisations to organise youth entrepreneurial programmes that offer entrepreneurial support, incubation services, as well as start-up capital to Hong Kong young people intending to establish their businesses in the GBA. Young fellows, if you are interested, please refer to the following event details and the list of funded startup teams (in Chinese version only). You are welcome to visit the exhibition and have a chat with the start-up entrepreneurs to learn more about business opportunities in the GBA! "Entrepreneur Day 2023" - Event Details   Date:7-8 December 2023 (Thu - Fri) Opening Hours:9:00 am to 6:00 pm Venue:Hall 1D-E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Fee: Free of charge Enquiry Hotline: 1830 668 Online Registration for Visitors: Click here

[GoGBA one-stop platform] New features to help develop businesses in the Greater Bay Area

Unleash the potential for local young people and Small and Medium Enterprises in the thriving Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong Trade Development Council's  GoGBA one-stop platform offers comprehensive career and business information in the GBA. Apart from the new Career and Service Providers features, the GoGBA Go-to Guides for instance, hope to help entrepreneurs and businesses with the first steps of setting up a business, handling taxation and completing related procedures. Connect with business partners and access career information in the GBA with just few clicks! Visit www.go-gba.com to know more! Stay connected with our GoGBA WeChat Mini-program for the latest updates. (Scan QR code in WeChat)    

[Social Innovation] SIE Fund's new batch of intermediaries to provide support for social entrepreneurs

The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) has appointed four organisations as the third batch of intermediaries in 2023 to run a new round of innovative programmes to provide support for more social entrepreneurs. By promoting social innovation and entrepreneurship, it enables more social entrepreneurs to address social needs through innovative ideas, products and services, and assists the Government in formulating targeted poverty alleviation initiatives. The four intermediaries appointed are Fullness Social Enterprises Society Ltd, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, MakerBay Foundation Limited and Oxfam Hong Kong.The four intermediaries are knowledgeable and experienced organisations in the social innovation field. They aim to nurture and support social innovators and organisations to develop innovative projects with diversity and impact through the following innovative programmes. Individuals and organisations with innovative ideas in addressing poverty issues and wish to seek financial support to implement innovative projects may learn more by clicking the below logos and approach the intermediaries running innovative programmes directly and submit applications under their funding schemes. Wish to compare the four innovative programmes in one go? Do not miss the Programme at a glance, a clear comparison table highlighting the eligibility, amount of grant and uniquite features of the prorgammes. Innovator Farm Impact Incubator Impact Innovation Lab Grant for Good  What is Social Innovation? What are Social Entrepreneurs? Click here to view the story《6 Fun Facts about Social Innovation》and know more!

The Cyberport University Partnership Programme provides a life-changing experience!

The Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) supported by Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) is a life-changing experience to unleash participants’ full potential and gain insights into the global market! This financial technology (FinTech) focused entrepreneurship programme with boot camp, mentorship and competition that aiming at nurturing young FinTech talents for Hong Kong since 2015. The nominated students have unique chance to participate in Overseas Entrepreneurship Boot Camp and receive mentorship from local and international industry elites. The winning teams will receive HK$100,000 grant from CCMF. ​ The Programme offers - A series of FinTech pre-camp nurturing sessions in Hong Kong- An Entrepreneurship Boot Camp by a prestigious overseas university- Mentorship and insight from FinTech industry elites, both local and overseas- Opportunities to pitch innovative FinTech business ideas to investors Admission Requirement - The project must be rooted in digital tech and focus on FinTech, with components in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, etc. - Applicants must be nominated by CUPP co-organising university partners- Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the time of the nomination deadline- Applicants must be undergraduate or postgraduate students from CUPP co-organising university partners, either currently enrolled university students or graduated within 3 years from the co-organising universities (i.e. 3 years before the nomination deadline)- Applicants must have a good command of English- Team members could be a mixture of students from different CUPP co-organising universities- Each team could have up to 5 members Prizes Winning teams will receive a grant of HK$100,000 from Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF). Apply now CUPP is nomination-based. Interested applicants should contact CUPP co-organising universities for nomination.

"Youth Start-up Internship Programme 2024" offers 200 Internship Positions

The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau partners with the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to launch the Youth Start-up Internship Programme 2024, with a view to providing young people with internship opportunities at local start-ups and fostering their interest in pursuing a career in innovation and technology. In addition, the Programme also aims to help start-ups nurture talents and drive the development of the local innovation and technology related industries. Key Features The Programme offers 200 internship positions in total across various disciplines, such as data analysis, fintech, artificial intelligence, business development and marketing. Participating companies may engage interns in full-time, part-time or mixed mode. Each internship position will be entitled to a salary subsidy up to HK$11,200 per month provided by the Government. Participating students will be able to: .apply acquired knowledge to gain work experience;.develop and sharpen their specialised and transferable skills through participating in a series of training and entrepreneurship activities provided by Cyberport and HKSTP;.get an opportunity to visit start-ups in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area to learn about the entrepreneurial ecosystem there;.gain a career head start in the innovation and technology related industries; and.build network with professionals and leaders in the start-up community. Eligibility .Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card holder or Hong Kong Identity Card holder aged between 18 and 30;.Full-time student from a local post-secondary or tertiary institution (including students of sub-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes); and.Not a beneficiary concurrently under any publicly funded internship programme. Internship Period 3 to 6 months Application and Enquiries Interested young people should submit applications to companies online. Upon receipt of the applications, participating companies will conduct assessments and selection for implementing the internship arrangements. For more information, please visit the webpages of Cyberport and HKSTP.

Visit cyberhub.hk for free training to avoid being the victim of cyber risks!

Visit cyberhub.hk for free training to avoid being the victim of cyber risks!Want to avoid being the next victim of cyber risks? Train up your staff to mitigate potential risks from the source.The changes in the digital era, such as digital transformation, work-from-home and e-commerce, bring not only convenience but also potential cyber risks. According to data from Hong Kong Police Force Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB), corporate email scams have caused losses of more than HKD 1.5 billion in 2021.Lack of cybersecurity training will lead to employees relying on their own experience to work without any awareness of cyber risks and hence exposing the company to cybersecurity risks!Cybersec Training Hub Cybersec Training Hub is a complimentary self-learning platform initiated by Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC), which aims to lower the threshold for organisations to provide cybersecurity training to employees, particularly for SMEs with limited resources. The vision of HKIRC is to join hands with the community to build Hong Kong into a healthier and safer cyber-smart city by enhancing cybersecurity awareness among different industries and employees as well as reducing cybersecurity risks from the source.How to Start- Bookmark the website of Cybersec Training Hub (cyberhub.hk)- Schedule the training for your employees flexibly. Induction training for new joiners is highly recommended.- Employees will receive an e-certificate after completing the 20-minute online self-training- Send the e-certificate to HR/managers as a training record Benefits of the Programme- Professional training content provided by well-known Big-4 cybersecurity consultancy firms- User-friendly, interactive, and ready-to-use- Available in Traditional Chinese and English- Introduce cyber risks in a real-life working scenario- Training targeting different job positions (e.g. HR, Finance, etc.)- Complimentary and easy to use for all SMEsVisit cyberhub.hk to start your free training NOW!For enquiry, please email to HKIRC Cybersecurity Team: cybersec@hkirc.hk

HKSTP InnoCell provides a smart co-creation community for likeminded people

InnoCell is a smart living and co-creation space designed for I&T talents to spark collaboration within Hong Kong Science Park. All of the spaces are designed with a well-considered balance between aesthetics and functionality. InnoCell’s vision is to develop an I&T co-creation community where its values and structures align with its residents’ needs. At InnoCell, a new way of living has been created with a focus on a genuine sense of community, where the use of shared spaces and smart living technologies helps to build greater personal interaction and collaboration — resulting in a network of likeminded talents who inspire one another and have a positive impact. Eligibility Criteria The 17-storey InnoCell provides over 500 beds. Apart from the Science Park's company founders, Mainland or overseas employees, it is also open to visiting academics, scientists and technology talents. InnoCell’s monthly rent is set up to around 60% of the market price of a similar property in the neighbourhood. The maximum lease period is one year. Experience Innovative Smart Living with Four Types of Unit There are four types of units: THE SOLO, THE TWIN, THE SUITE and THE POWERHUB. THE POWERHUB, with eight individual studios plus a private working area, is an ideal space for a project team to assemble and brainstorm.   THE POWERHUB   THE SOLO   It is not all work and no play at InnoCell. There is an approximately 30,000 sq ft common area that includes meeting rooms, a library area, and a gym, etc., offering tailored communal facilities for the residents.   For admission and more information about InnoCell, please visit the website of HKSTP and InnoCell.

SME Link provides comprehensive information and support services to SMEs

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the bedrock of Hong Kong’s economy, accounting for more than 98% of enterprises and employing about 45% of the private sector workforce in the city. With a view to strengthening support for SMEs to attain prosperity and success, the Trade and Industry Department consolidated the services of the existing four SMEs centres to provide one-stop "Four-in-One" integrated services for SMEs to obtain information and services at any of the Centres and launched a web portal called "SME Link" for SMEs to access comprehensive information and support services from a single online platform. Access comprehensive information from a single online platformSME Link features links to latest information on the SME support services provided by the four SME Centres and various Government bureaux and departments. Support and Consultation Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises (SUCCESS) SUCCESS under the Trade and Industry Department in collaboration with various industrial and trade organisations, professional bodies, private enterprises and other Government departments to provide SMEs with business information and consultation services free of charge. "Meet-the-Advisors" Business Advisory Services (BAS) provided by SUCCESS that makes arrangements for SME encountering problems relating to the starting and running of a business to consult experts for their professional advice on 25 advisory areas, including setting up business, marketing, legal and accounting matters. SME Centre SME Centre under the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) offers a comprehensive business library, meeting areas, function rooms and business support services. In association with various partner organisations, including industry organisations, chambers of commerce and Consulates in Hong Kong, the HKTDC provides a free business advisory service for SMEs to capitalise on trade-related business opportunities.The HKTDC Transformation Sandbox (T-box) is a SME support programme that helps SMEs enhance business competitiveness and achieve transformation goals in the areas of branding, e-commerce, manufacturing and supply chain solutions and new markets. Dedicated T-box staff will work with SMEs to identify goals and provide support over a three-month period, with group and individualised services, including advisory services, workshops, government-funding information, market knowledge and networking opportunities. The programme is offered free of charge and is open to all companies registered in Hong Kong. SME One SME One under the Hong Kong Productivity Council strives to facilitate local SMEs and startups to sustain their businesses’ competitiveness by providing to startups and inventors various supports, timely assistance and comprehensive information on market insights, technology transformation and government funding schemes, through its Inno Space and InnoPreneur Network. Assistance provided includes Meet with New Faces, eClinics, Seminars/Workshops/Study Missions and O2O Platform to showcase Tech and Business Solutions. TecONE TecONE under the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) provides detailed information on various funding schemes and indepth advisory services (in particular technology-related programmes under the funding schemes of HKSTP or the HKSAR Government), including professional guidance on the application of the funding schemes. Other topical contentInformation and services under the cluster "Support for SMEs" of the SME Link are categorised by subjects under a customer-oriented approach, comprising "Government Funding Schemes", "Non-financial Assistance", "Startups", "Mainland Market" and "Overseas Markets", facilitating SMEs to search for useful information and services in a more systematic way.

“Maker in China” SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest 2022 – Hong Kong Chapter is now open for application

“Maker in China” SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest 2022 – Hong Kong Chapter will be held in Hong Kong on August 19. This annual state level innovation and entrepreneurship contest is organized by China Centre for Promotion of SME Development, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, Department of Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, China International Cooperation Association of SMEs and co-organized by Cyberport, Angel Investment Foundation and Chamber of Commerce of Guangzhou Industrial Parks. The event is also one of the celebration events of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, which is highly valued by the Central Government and Hong Kong Government. The aim of the contest is to promote the connections between innovative technology and enterprises, the innovation and technology projects and industrial parks, market-oriented operations and government policies, and to assist industries in collaborative innovation and industrial upgrading. Through the participation in the contest, one could be exposed to investors and enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland, explore unlimited business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and integrate into the overall national development. The contest call for projects in 10 fields of science and technology, including: Fintech Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Internet of Things Digital Entertainment & eSports Software Smart Living, Mobility & Healthcare Biomedicine & Biotechnology New Generation Information Technology New Energy, Energy Saving & Environmental Protection Industrial Internet & Advanced Manufacturing New Materials   Application is open from 1 June to 8 July 2022. For further details on the contest and application method, please visit the official website.   Result of “Maker in China” Contest 2021 Hong Kong Chapter Champion : An Energy-free and Low-cost Daytime Passive Radiative Cooling Paint for Energy Saving in Buildings and Decarbonization   1st Runner up: MAD Gaze Smart Glasses   2nd Runner up: Functional Hyaluronic Acid and Innovative Microneedle with wide applications in medicine and cosmetics

“Start-up Express” - a Journey to Success for Hong Kong Start-ups

Start-up Express is Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)'s highly curated start-up development programme that targets start-ups offering innovative and tech products or solutions, as well as with strong desire to enter the international market. Through a series of capability building, mentoring sessions, marketing activities, extensive publicity, and pitching opportunities, the programme aims to assist local start-ups in building connection, exploring markets, seeking business and funding partners, and enhancing brand awareness.  Target Participants  Start-ups with less than 5 years of establishment; Start-ups raising less than US$10 million in funding; Start-ups with core or substantial operations in Hong Kong; Tech start-ups focusing on one of these aspects:o FinTecho GreenTecho HealthTecho PropTecho RetailTecho SmartCity   Registration is open from today till 4 May 2022. For further details on the programme and registration method, please visit the official website. Click here to view the results of the previous edition.

Inno-dictionary: “Supply Chain”

“Incubators" & "Accelerators”   Definition: Supply chain refers to various units involved in the production and sales procedures, including raw material suppliers, producers, distributors, retailers and end consumers.   More information: With funding from the Innovation and Technology Fund, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region founded the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM) in 2006. Since its inception, LSCM’s mission has been to foster the development of core competencies in logistics and supply chain related technologies in Hong Kong, and to facilitate the adoption of these technologies by industries in Hong Kong as well as Mainland China. Please visit https://www.lscm.hk/ for further information.   Source: Talent.gov.hk, LSCM The “Inno-dictionary” series aims to facilitate startup newbies to understand the jargons related to entrepreneurship as well as innovation and technology.

Inno-dictionary: “Incubators" & "Accelerators”

“Incubators" & "Accelerators”   Definition: Incubators are organisations which help startups to overcome business challenges and achieve stable development by providing various assistance including mentoring and co-working spaces.   Accelerators refer to programmes that aim at assisting startups to achieve rapid business growth. They would usually provide assistance such as funding support and workshops to help startups to connect with large enterprises and attract investments.   More information: According to InvestHK’s 2021 Startup Survey, the total number of locations of co-working spaces, incubators and accelerators has doubled from 62 in 2017 to 124 in 2021 despite the challenges brought by the epidemic. For more information on incubation and acceleration programmes, please visit Startmeup.hk.   Source: Talent.gov.hk, Startmeup.hk The “Inno-dictionary” series aims to facilitate startup newbies to understand the jargons related to entrepreneurship as well as innovation and technology.

Five key survey findings on the development of startups

According to the 2021 Startup Survey released by Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong's startup ecosystem remains vibrant despite the ongoing economic challenges of the global pandemic. Let’s go through the survey results. 1. Record high in the total number of startups The overall number of startups in the city reached a record high of 3,755, up 68% over 2017. 2. Number of employees recruited by startups bounced back The number of staff hired by startups in 2021 surged 29% to 13,804 persons, despite a year-on-year drop of 14% was recorded in 2020. 3. Continuous growth in locations of co-working spaces/incubators/accelerators Since 2017, the number of co-working spaces/incubators/accelerators has doubled, up from 62 to 124 in 2021. 4. Increase in non-local talents In 2021, the percentage of non-local startup founders has increased 2% to 28%. 20.5% of them were from Mainland China. 5. Most startups are engaged in the financial technology sector The financial technology sector ranks the top in terms of number of startups in 2021 with 472 such companies. The continued rise of digital behaviour has also fuelled specific startup growth in sectors such as the e-commerce and supply chain & logistics technology sector, in which the number of startups companies in the sector has increased from 385 in 2020 to 432 in 2021. Interested in starting your own business in one of the fast-growing industries? Here below are some useful resources: Startup How-Tos: How to prepare for my entrepreneurship? Startup How-Tos: Three pillars of e-commerce   Reference: Invest Hong Kong’s 2021 Startup Survey