Bridge Gap Fund
Selection Mechanism & Criteria
Additional Opportunities and Support
What is BGF
- The Bridge Gap Fund (BGF) presents a transformative opportunity for ambitious researchers who are eager to elevate their innovative projects from conceptual frameworks to impactful market solutions. By providing substantial financial support, BGF is tailored to foster industry collaborations, form technology startups, and license cutting-edge technology, promising not just commercial success but also societal benefits.
- Structured support from BGF, including mentorship from seasoned industry experts and access to an extensive network, equipping researchers with the necessary tools and guidance to navigate the complex path of bringing research to market.
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Applying for BGF is the pivotal step in the entrepreneur career, propelling innovative research into a viable business with substantial societal impact. The Office of Knowledge Transfer also provides all aspects of resources and support for incubating the DeepTech startups.
Objectives
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BGF is to strengthen the commercialization of HKUST technology for licensing technology to industry, forming technology start-up companies, industry collaboration or application to funding with industry partnership.
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BGF aims to translate HKUST’s research intellectual property into a comprehensive business proposal to attract and motivate industry partners to work with HKUST to create commercial and societal impact.
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OKT staff will work with research teams by leveraging university resources, engaging mentors and industries to build commercially viable business strategies and plan with customer discoveries and product development to attract industry partners, venture capital and government fundings.
Form of Funding Support
- Each project team can opt for Startup Track (Aiming to form a DeepTech Startup by the team itself) or Technology Transfer Track (Aiming to license the BIP or FIP).
- Startup Track: The research team has the intention to establish a startup company leveraging HKUST technology. The BGF will act as a development fund to support extensive R&D and commercialization, including but not limited to creating a prototype or concept recognized by industry or investors, research and feasibility studies. With the BGF and resources of the OKT, the team will be capable of building their own business strategies to attract industry partnership and venture capital. IP generation might be considered as one of the effective tactics to protect the uniqueness of the technology and appeal to the industry partners for further collaboration.
- Technology Transfer Track: The research team has the intention to license the technology to an external industry entity. The BGF will provide funding for developing the IP portfolio and creating applications recognized by the industry to enhance the commercialization and licensing potential.
- Each approved project will typically receive funding support of up to HK$ 0.5M for up to twelve (12) months (from the project commencement date) with tangible deliverables. The typical funding schedule will be 70% upfront and 30% after meeting Milestone 2 (see detailed guideline). Unexpended balance must be returned to HKUST.
- BGF can support the commercialization activities including the following:
- Further research about IP applications.
- Study on prototype producing process.
- Market research and Customer understanding.
- Consulting service charge for industry experts.
Application Eligibility
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Utilization of HKUST IP: Applicants MUST use intellectual property developed or owned by HKUST.
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Principal Investigator (PI) Participation: Must be a full-time faculty member at HKUST (CWB).
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Person in Charge (PIC) Participation: Must be a full-time member at HKUST (Clear Water Bay) and he/she must be part of the project team. The PIC is responsible for the overall management of the project, ensuring that project deliverables are met and align with the planned objectives.
Selection Mechanism & Criteria
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Projects that have received or are receiving other funding support with the same deliverables are NOT eligible.
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Project selection criteria include IP strength, commercial potential and impact. Principal Investigators must demonstrate their projects with commercial potentials, including but not limited to forming start-ups, and/or foreseeable adoption and application by industries for further downstream development using available funding sources (excluding ITF Tier-3 funding). Projects that focus on basic research will NOT be supported. For details, please refer to the guideline.
Important Dates
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Application Deadline: 28 March 2025
- Review Meetings: Early May for shortlisted candidates
- Notification of Results: Successful applicants will be notified and issued an offer letter in late May.
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Please refer to the guideline for the overview of the BGF application timeline and key events throughout the project period.
Additional Opportunities and Support
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DeepTech Incubation Program (DTP): All awarded teams are auto-enrolled in the DTP, which covers training in business strategy, IP management, and fundraising skills.
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Funding Opportunities:
- Access to HKUST-related funds like the Entrepreneur Fund (E-Fund) and Redbird Innovation Fund (RIF) for further capital infusion and growth.
SCC funding: Additional funding of up to $0.1M will be offered to the awarded BGF projects for demonstrating sustainability contributions through the Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab (SSC) initiative.
For details, please refer to the guideline.
Applicants should complete the BGF Application Form in English with Online Research Project Submission Approval (ORPA) Form and approved record of the Committee on Research Practices Review (CRP) Form (if applicable) on or before the application deadline. The application and supporting documents should be sent to oktdtadmin@ust.hk.
Important Documents
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BGF Application Form - Annex (to be available soon)
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CV Template - Annes A (i) (to be available soon)
Notes
- IP arrangement: IP generated throughout BGF belongs to the University and follows the HKUST's IP Policy,
- Project completion: Must be completed by 30 June 2026 with no extensions allowed. Unexpected balances must be returned to HKUST without any exception.
- Compliance: Projects must adhere strictly to the proposal unless changes are approved by OKT.
- Filling OPRA form: When you fill in the ORPA form for BGF, please follow below instruction.
- Agency/ Sponsor: UGC - Knowledge Transfer
- Funding Scheme/ Program Name: Bridge Gap Fund
Contact Points
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Enquiry |
Contact Point |
Office Tel |
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Project selection; all-round support and advice on proposal preparation, commercialization, licensing potential and project development; industry & customer engagement & collaboration opportunities |
Business Development Team Dr. Carol LI, Head (Materials and Sustainable Technologies) |
2358 7915
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carolli@ust.hk
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Dr. David LEUNG, Head (Smart System and Project Development) |
3469 2955
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dcwleung@ust.hk
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Mr. Wayne TAN, Head (Bio-Medical and Healthcare) |
2358 5902 |
waynetan@ust.hk
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Business validity and commercialization prospects of project; Mentorship and business advisory |
Entrepreneur in Residence for Engineering Technology (EIR) Team Mr. Wenlei ZHUANG, Head (Entrepreneur in Residence for Engineering Technology) |
3469 3149 |
wenlei@ust.hk |
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BGF revamp; BGF setting and adjustment |
Innovation Infrastructure Development Team Dr. Yue JIA, Head (Innovation Infrastructure Development) |
3469 3082 |
yuejia@ust.hk
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Investment advice; introduction of co-investment partners |
Start-up Incubation and Investment Team Mr. Pok Man YIU, Head (Start-up Incubation and Investment) |
2358 7920
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pokmanyiu@ust.hk
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Intellectual Property |
Intellectual Property Team Dr. Karman LEUNG, Head (Intellectual Property Management) |
2358 5899 |
karmanleung@ust.hk |
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Administrative procedures and operation |
Translational Project Team Mr. Joshua LEUNG, Head of Translational Project Team |
2358 6164
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joshua.leung@ust.hk |