HKAI Global Acceleration Program

Accelerate Your Growth with HKAI Lab

Our 12-month Global Acceleration Program is designed to elevate AI startups to the next level. We empower entrepreneurs by providing hands-on support, strategic mentorship, and access to essential resources to commercialize your AI innovations effectively. Join us in transforming groundbreaking ideas into successful market solutions.

WHAT WE OFFER

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND INVESTOR NETWORK

Selected companies may be evaluated for funding support by the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund (AHKEF) and/or SenseTime (investment is not guaranteed).

Access to our extensive investor network to diversify funding sources.

ACCESS TO PROPRIETARY AI TECHNOLOGIES

Technical consultation and support from SenseTime, Alibaba Cloud, and Alibaba DAMO Academy teams.

Complimentary cloud credits and LLM tokens from our strategic partners to accelerate AI development.

MENTORSHIP, NETWORK AND OPPORTUNITIES

Mentorship and coaching from industry experts to enhance business strategy, technology, and growth.

Exposure to government and corporate partners via our events.

Opportunity for direct admission to the CityU HK Tech 300 Program (subject to fulfilling program requirements). ADVISORS

DEDICATED SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

High-performance computer resources equipped with GPUs are available for R&D purposes only.

Comprehensive support in technical areas, marketing, talent acquisition, and business development is provided.

Free workspace at the Hong Kong Science Park is available for the duration of the 12-month program, supported by HKSTP.

AN EXCLUSIVE PATHWAY TO HKAI LAB X HKSTP CO-IDEATION PROGRAMME

You can apply for both the HKAI Global Acceleration Programme and the HKAI Lab x HKSTP Co-Ideation Programme without requiring a separate application. This Co-Ideation Programme includes a financial grant of up to HKD 100,000 and other support. More information is available at: Ideation Programme.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

...

Applicants can be either individuals (full name) or companies (BR company full name). Selected applicants are required to incorporate a Hong Kong private limited entity upon receiving our offer.

...

The company must conduct significant operations in Hong Kong. The person-in-charge of the applicant must be a shareholder of the entity to be incorporated in Hong Kong.

...

The founding team members must hold 51% or more of the shares of the company

...

The company must have at least 2 full-time staff and the company must engage in research, development or application of AI.

HOW WE SELECT

Our selection panel evaluates applications for the HKAI Global Acceleration Program based on the following criteria

Prototype Development and Innovation

Established Product-Market Fit

Revenue Generation

Team Viability

External Investment / Cash Funding (if applicable)

TIPS

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Step 1

1. ONLINE APPLICATION

Submit the online application form with the required supporting documents including, but not limited to:

  • A business plan (in PPT/PDF format)
  • BR Copy (if available).

Step 2

2. ASSESSMENT BY SELECTION PANEL

Paper assessment by Selection Panel based on the application materials received.

Step 3

3. INTERVIEW BY SELECTION PANEL

Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview process with the Selection Panel.

Step 4

4. ORIENTATION

Selected applicants will be contacted to attend the Orientation.

Your application may be accepted even if your corporate entity in Hong Kong has not yet been registered at the time of submission. However, if you are selected to the HKAI Global Acceleration Program, you must complete the incorporation before the program begins.

Deadline of Application

20.3.2026