Created on 19 September 2024
The Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge (HKSEC) is a social venture startup competition organised by the Center for Entrepreneurship of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and sponsored by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, HKSAR Government.
Since its inception in 2007, over 10,300 post-secondary undergraduate and postgraduate students and fresh graduates from 177 academic institutions have been participating and generating over 1,870 business ideas for social enterprise. Through a structured competition model, HKSEC encourages students to employ a creative entrepreneurial approach to solve real world social issues. HKSEC aims to accelerate the growth of social enterprise startups led by young people.
HKSEC 2024–25 focuses on the theme of ‘Beyond Boundaries: -R-WeSet & -R-WeAct’. Participants are encouraged to address the social needs and SDGs and make an impact to the world and society by establishing a social enterprise.
The Framework
The framework of HKSEC includes three elements of developing participants’ social entrepreneurship through (1) Education, (2) Competition, (3) Incubation. HKSEC would provide the participants with a series of motivational activities, seminars and training workshops to demonstrate social responsibility.
Competition Overview
|
Phase 1 |
First Round |
|
Phase 2 |
Semi-Final |
|
Phase 3 |
Grand Final |
Awards
|
Startup Awards |
Two Champion Teams will be offered Startup Awards of HK$300,000 per team to turn their business ideas into reality. Two Runner-up Teams will receive HK$150,000 per team. |
|
Best Presentation award |
All Semi-Final teams will be eligible to compete for the Best Presentation (Semi-Final) award. |
|
The Most Innovative Idea award |
The Most Innovative Idea award, with a cash prize of HK$20,000, will be awarded to the team with the most innovative idea in response to the increasing importance and attention given to social innovation. |
|
Social Ambassador IP Award |
The Intellectual Property Department of the HKSAR Government will sponsor the winning team of the Social Ambassador IP Award to join the Youth Co:Lab Summit which is co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation. |
For more details including eligibility and registration, please refer to the HKSEC website.
