AWARDS

HKUST-SINO One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2024

 

Winners of the HKUST-Sino One-Million-Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition 2024 will be awarded with cash prizes and in-kind services.

Cash and in-kind awards are to be used by the winning teams solely for the purpose of proving funding for the business plan in respect of which the award was granted. Service providers shall be entitled to decline to provide their services for the purpose of business plans other than in respect of which the award was granted. By accepting the awards, participants will be deemed to have accepted these terms and agreed to apply the cash and in-contribution awards for the purposes intended.

 

Cash Awards

Platinum Award (HKUST Track) 1

HKD400K

Gold Award (HKUST Track) 1

HKD200K

Silver Award (HKUST Track) 1

HKD100K

International Entrepreneurs Award (International Student Track)

Platinum Award

- Gold Award

- Silver Award

 

HKD100K

HKD50K

HKD25K

GF Innovation Award (HKUST Track) 

HKD100K

Elevator Pitch Award (3 places) (2 HKUST Track and 1 International Student Track)

HKD30K each

Sustainability Impact Award (HKUST Track) (3 places)

HKD50K each

HKUST Student Team Award (HKUST Track) (3 places) 2

HKD25K each

Best Video Award (HKUST Track) 3 HKD25K

 

Remarks:

1  Winning teams will first receive 70% of the cash prize. The teams will have to submit a brief progress report highlighting key progress and/or achievement over 6-month period (starting from the receipt of the first payment) to receive the rest of the cash prize. The progress report should covers content such as expenditure, revenue, number of full-time staff equivalent, funding and investment received, etc.

2  HKUST Student Team Award will be awarded to the teams which are composed of HKUST full-time students (HKUST Track) only.  The top student team from Round 2 will get the award.

3  Round 2 Shortlisted HKUST Track teams are required to submit a 1-min introduction video of their project and the videos will be published online and opened to public for viewing. HKUST members will vote on their favourite video and the top video receiving the most votes will win the Best Video Award.

 

Payment Distribution

  1. The equity of the winning companies should not be changed.
  2. HKUST Track Winning teams must be a registered company to get the cash award and are expected to form their companies in Hong Kong. The company name should be the same as the team name.
  3. International Student Track Winning teams must be a registered company in either Hong Kong or their home country to get the cash award. The company name should be the same as the team name.
  4. The recipients of prize money will be responsible for the tax implications of their winnings.
  5. HKUST reserves the right to withhold or to defer in whole or in part of any of the cash and/or and in-kind contribution awards if the winning teams violate the above conditions.
  6. Cash prize arrangement will be announced after the competition. Winners must present the company registration documents, company bank account number and other information requested within 1 year of the announcement, otherwise the cash prize will be considered forfeited.
  7. Winning teams will first receive 70% of the cash prize. The teams will have to submit a brief progress report highlighting key progress and/or achievement over 6-month period (starting from the receipt of the first payment) to receive the rest of the cash prize. The progress report should covers content such as expenditure, revenue, number of full-time staff equivalent, funding and investment received, etc.

 

About GF Innovation Award

The GF Innovation Award is sponsored by GF Securities to recognise the importance of innovativeness displayed through novelty and edge of the solution. The winner of the award will be decided by the judging panel in the Final Round Competition.

GF Securities, founded in 1991, is one of the first comprehensive securities companies in China, and was listed on the main boards of Shenzhen Stock Exchange (Stock Code:000776.SZ) and Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code:1776.HK) in 2010 and 2015 respectively.  

The Company has always adhered to the "client-focused" orientation, mainly serving domestic and foreign enterprises, institutional and individual investors. It is a provider of comprehensive capital market services with industry-leading innovation capabilities, possessing licenses for a full range of services including investment banking, wealth management, trading and institution, and investment management.  

With holding position of GF Futures, GF Xinde, GF Qianhe, GF Asset Management, GF Holdings (Hong Kong), Guangfa Financial Leasing and GF Fund Management and investment in E Fund (tied the largest shareholder), the Company has formed a group structure and continuously improved its customer service capability. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 349 branches and business departments, covering 31 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions throughout China.  

As one of China’s most influential securities companies for over 30 years since its establishment, The Company has maintained main operating indicators ranking among the industry for many consecutive years and established its leading advantages with research, asset management and wealth management ranking among the top ranks. The Company’s major operating indicators remained at the forefront of the industry, realizing a total revenue and other income of RMB33,298 million and a net profit attributable to owners of the Company of RMB6,978 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Group’s total asset amounted to RMB682,182 million, an increase of 10.52% as compared to the end of 2022; and equity attributable to owners of the Company amounted to RMB135,718 million, representing an increase of 12.96% as compared to the end of 2022.    

www.gf.com.cn

GF Holdings (Hong Kong) is a wholly-owned subsidiary and the international platform of GF Securities. Leveraging Hong Kong and the China Greater Bay Area as its strategic gateway to global markets, GF Holdings (Hong Kong) is dedicated to identifying and seizing opportunities within China while extending its global reach. Its subsidiaries provide full-range financial services including global securities and trading, investment banking, wealth management and brokerage, and investment management.

www.gfgroup.com.hk