About E-Fund Cohort Application
The E-Fund operates two application cohorts in each financial year. Typical investment is around HK$2 million per company, subject to the decision of the Investment Sub-Committee (ISC), a sub-committee of the Knowledge Transfer Committee (KTC). Applications are accepted only during the published application windows.
Eligibility
To be eligible for E-Fund investment, a start-up company must meet both of the following requirements:
• At least 10% ownership is held by an HKUST faculty member, staff member, student or alumnus/alumna.
• The company has been established for no more than seven years.
Priority consideration may be given to companies that meet one or more of the following conditions:
• Incorporated within the past three years.
• Paid-up capital of below HK$5 million.
• No external equity financing round exceeding HK$5 million, excluding government grants, non-dilutive funding and university-related support.
• Participation in OKT programmes.
🚀 E-Fund 2026 Autumn Cohort Applications
Now Open!
How to Apply
Applicants must submit an online application, together with all required supporting documents, on or before the applicable cohort deadline of 5:00PM (Hong Kong Time) of 18 November 2026 (Wednesday).
Application access:
- HKUST members: log in to the Online Application Portal using a created account. First-time users should submit an account-creation request Request New E-Fund User Account.
- Non-HKUST members: log in to the Online Application Portal using a created account. Firts-time users should submit an account-creation request here. Account creation may take one to two business days; applicants will be notified by email once their account is ready.
Required supporting documents:
• Certificate of Incorporation.
• Latest Annual Return, shareholder register or incorporation form.
• Business Registration Certificate.
• Proof of HKUST affiliation.
• Business proposal (to be used for the panel interview if the application is shortlisted).
• Term sheet with investors, if applicable.
• Any other information that supports the application.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM (Hong Kong Time) of 18 November 2026 (Wednesday)
Assessment Process
Applications are assessed through the following stages:
1. Online application submission during the cohort call for proposals.
2. Eligibility check and review of the submitted business plan.
3. Panel interview for shortlisted teams.
4. Due diligence for teams selected after the panel interview; further information may be requested.
5. Pitch to the ISC for selected teams.
6. ISC consideration and investment decision.
7. Legal documentation and completion for ISC-approved projects.
Assessment Criteria
Business plans are reviewed for completeness, clarity and quality of information, as well as adherence to the required application template.
Shortlisted teams are assessed by the panel against the following criteria:
- • Technology Barriers and Defensibility
• Commercialisation Opportunity and Execution
• Team Capability and Execution Readiness
• Funding Readiness and Follow-on Potential
The University will not disclose selection rationales, rankings or scores to applicants. The University reserves the right to make final decisions on the selection process, and the ISC’s decision is final.
- Please Read Before You Apply
- • Cohort Application Guideline for HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund
- • Project Proposal Guideline
- • E-Fund Cohort Application Info Session Presentation
- Enquiries
- Office of Knowledge Transfer
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- Email: efund@ust.hk