The HKSTP Incubation Programme evaluates applications based on key criteria that significantly influence your chances of being accepted into the program. This guide will walk you through these criteria, giving you an understanding of what works well and what doesn’t. Use it to refine your business proposal and pitch deck, maximizing your chances of success.

Section 1: How We Select – High-Level Criteria Breakdown

The HKSTP Incubation Programme evaluates applications based on the following key dimensions:

• Innovation and Technology: How innovative and feasible is your technology? Does it offer a significant advantage over existing solutions?
• Business Model: Is your business model clear, scalable, and sustainable in the long term?
• Core Team Competency: How capable is your team in executing the business plan? What are their qualifications and past track records?
• Core R&D Activity: How well does your R&D align with your business plan and overall product development strategy?
• Business Proposal: The 3-year business proposal you submit will play a key role in the assessment process.

Note: The main submission document is the Business Proposal (Word document), alongside the 20-page pitch deck.

Reference: HKSTP Guidelines

Section 2: Detailed Evaluation Criteria Breakdown

1. Innovation and Technology

• Key Dimensions:
  • Innovation: How disruptive is your product or solution? Does it solve a real, significant problem in a novel way?
  • Technology: What technologies does your product use, and why are they the best choice? How do they outperform existing alternatives?
  • R&D Feasibility: How feasible is it to develop and scale the technology? What are the core technical challenges, and how will you overcome them?

2. Business Model

• Key Dimensions:
  • Scalability: Is your business model scalable and adaptable to meet growing market demand?
  • Revenue Streams: How will your business generate revenue? Are the revenue models sustainable?
  • Market Fit: How well does your product solve customer pain points and meet market needs?
  • Exit Strategy: Have you defined a clear exit strategy? Is it realistic and achievable?

3. Core Team Competency