Eligibility

Q1. Can students studying in Higher Diploma Programme in Nursing Studies (General Health Care/Mental Health Care) apply for MetroChallenge?
Answer: Yes, they are eligible to apply for MetroChallenge.

Q2. I am a final year student. Can I apply for MetroChallenge?
Answer: Yes, final year students are also welcome to apply for MetroChallenge. You are recommended to use MetroChallenge Implementation Fund to start your business after graduation.

Q3. Can I apply for MetroChallenge on my own without any team members?
Answer: Yes, an individual applicant is allowed. However, an interdisciplinary team with members from different but relevant background is usually preferred by the Assessment Panels.

Q4. What is the minimum or maximum number of members per team?
Answer: There is no restriction on the team size. However, it is recommended to have 3 to 4 team members with complementary background and knowledge.

Q5. I have participated in other business proposal/entrepreneurship competitions. Am I eligible to apply for MetroChallenge using the same proposal?
Answer: Yes, as long as you submit the required application documents before the application deadline.

Q6. Can I submit more than one application, or participate in more than one team?
Answer: Yes, each applicant is allowed to join more than one team, and each team can submit more than one application.

Q7. What is the difference between the roles of Team Leader and Team Members?
Answer: SAO will regard the Team Leader as the contact person who coordinates the communication between SAO and other Team Members. Other than that, the significance of Team Leader and Team Members, in terms of contributions to the proposal, should be the same.

Q8. Can I invite other non-HKMU members to join the team?
Answer: Yes, non-HKMU members can also join. However, team leader and the majority of team members should be HKMU students and alumni.

Application and Assessment

Q9. Is it compulsory to apply MetroChallenge Lab if I want to be awarded for the Implementation Fund?
Answer: No, but you are highly recommended to participate in MetroChallenge Lab because the teams which completed it will be prioritized to enter to the final round of assessment.

Q10. Will there be any difference in assessment between applications for MetroChallenge Lab subsidy (HK$5,000) and MetroChallenge Implementation Fund (HK$100,000)?
Answer: No, the same set of assessment criteria listed in Table 1 of Application Guidelines will be applied.

Q.11 Is there any restriction on the use of subsidy of MetroChallenge Lab?
Answer: The subsidy can be used to build up minimal viable product (MVP), including prototype and market testing/validation during the reimbursement period.

Q12. How will the subsidy of MetroChallenge Lab be disbursed to the successful student teams?
Answer: The subsidy will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis after the student teams have submitted the following documents:

• a report endorsed by the appointed external consultant and assigned with concrete proof (e.g. pictures, video) of MVP completed; and

• an application form to MetroChallenge.

Q13. Can I revise my proposal after MetroChallenge Lab?
Answer: Yes, you can revise your proposal after MetroChallenge Lab. However, after you have formally submitted an application for MetroChallenge, no major change on project idea is allowed.

Q.14 Can team members be changed?
Answer: In general, no change of team members is allowed once you have formally submitted an application for MetroChallenge. Any change of team members request submitted afterward will only be reviewed on an exceptional basis and it must be supported by sufficient strong reasons for the benefit of awarded project execution after the final assessment.

Funding Scope and Disbursement

Q15. Is it necessary for me to implement the project if my project is awarded?
Answer: Yes, Implementation Fund will only be disbursed after the awarded student teams have agreed to implement the project. The project should be executed within 6 months, i.e. the Funding Period, after awarded. The grant of Implementation Fund shall be subject to further agreement of terms and conditions governing the disbursement and the use of Implementation Fund.

Q16. How will the Implementation Fund be disbursed?
Answer: The Implementation Fund shall be disbursed by 4 installments, primarily on reimbursement basis subject to reasonable progress made and progress reports to the satisfaction of SAO and appointed external consultant.

Q.17. Can I use the Implementation Fund for salary?
Answer: Yes, you can use the fund to pay salary for employees. You, and your team members listed in the submitted application form, can also claim remuneration from the Implementation Fund. The total remuneration amount for all team members cannot exceed HK$20,000 or 20% of the granted amount, whichever lower, upon the completion of awarded project.

Q18. Do I need to return any unused Implementation Fund to HKMU?
Answer: It is expected that the fund will be fully utilized to support the execution of the awarded project within the Funding Period. However, if there is any unused fund after the Funding Period or completion of the awarded project, or if the fund entitlement was terminated / suspended for whatever reason, the awarded teams shall return any unused Implementation Fund / unspent balance to the HKMU.

Others

Q19. If I need to use HKMU’s equipment/facilities during the execution of my project, would there be any special arrangement for my team?
Answer: SAO encourages awarded student teams to approach and discuss with the respective School(s), Office(s), Unit(s) or staff-in-charge directly for the utilization of university’s resources including laboratory facilities or equipment.