Community Shaper to Foster Youth’s Dispositions in Innovation and Technology Development 2024

Introduction of Community Shaper 2024

The program aims to incubate a new generation of talent and leaders in the local I&T community who dedicate themselves to I&T development in the future.

Why join us?

• Hands-on Project Experience: Provincial competition participation led by Mr. Nelson Yip, the Honorary Fellow of the City University of Hong Kong and the Lingnan University, and other potential project opportunities, e.g. IDEATION, CCMF, AEF, etc.
• Program Certificate: certificate issued by the China Hong Kong Cultural Exchange Association makes you stand out from the crowd.
• Reference Letter: outstanding participants will receive recommendation letters from Mr. Nelson Yip, MH
• Networking Opportunities: connect to industry experts, entrepreneurs, university professors, and excellent peers.

Eligibility

• Hong Kong undergraduate/postgraduate students in any discipline. (High-profile high school students would also be considered)
• Highly interested in Fintech, education tech, technology for climate change
• Strong responsibility to contribute to an innovative project
• Strong communication skills
• Good team players 

 What do we expect? 

• Participants actively join in all events of the program
• Participants develop research skills, team spirit, creativity, product design and presentation techniques
• Participants commit 8 hours per week to the team project   

Program Arrangement

① Mobilization Seminar -- leads the future with technology

• Date: July 12, 2024, 9 AM - 6 PM
• Venue: Charles K. Kao Auditorium, HKSP (Physical) / Zoom for remote participants

Funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and sponsored by Unleash Foundation and China Hong Kong Culture Exchange Association, this mobilization seminar serves as the first station of the Innovation and Technology Program.

The seminar will be split into two parts:

1. Building a High-Performance Hack Team (09:00 - 14:30 HKT)
2. Forum and Dialogue on Fintech, Edutech and Climate Change Tech (14:30 - 18:00 HKT)

② Hackathon -- gather youth talents with activities

• Date: July 13-14, 2024 (Alpha) and July 27-28, 2024 (Beta)
• Venue: Multi-Function Room 2-3, 2/F, INNO2, Building 17W, Hong Kong Science Park / Zoom for remote participants

As part of the Innovation & Technology (I&T) Program, the 2-day hackathon aims to enhance participants' project implementation capabilities. 

Centered around design thinking, this hackathon guides participants from initial design and development to prototyping and market launch. A sneak peek of our interesting case studies delivered by our esteemed workshop facilitators include:

• Battle to Protect Tanghulu (糖葫蘆保衛戰)
• Peculiar Socials (奇怪的社交)
• Tea or Coffee? (茶還是咖啡)
• Why Don't People Like Eating in University Cafeterias? (為什麼不喜歡到大學食堂吃飯?)

After gaining essential knowledge and skills from the interactive workshops and discussions, participants will then work within their dream teams to develop and pitch innovative solutions to specific case problems. Throughout the process, prominent mentors will provide valuable feedback and guidance, helping participants refine their projects and maximize their potential.

All groups are then required to submit a PowerPoint and 3-5 minutes introduction video of their project idea after the event. 

③ Cultivating Hong Kong's Tomorrow: Reshaping Education for a Technology-Enabled Future 

(By Invitation)

• Date/time: December 18, 2024, 14:30pm - 17:00pm
• Venue: PHC Wing Kwong College

The forum is a prestigious event that brings together educators, policymakers, and industry professionals from Hong Kong. It serves as an ideal platform for mobilizing youngsters on incubating startups in the area of education tech, climate technology and fintech. Our aim is to inspire and empower school principals, teachers and youths to shape the future of Hong Kong. 

④ Greater Bay Area Tours -- embrace GBA opportunities with a tour

(Date: January 5 - January 11, 2025)

Three 7-days physical tours of the Greater Bay Area, namely Fintech, Edutech and Tech for Climate Change tours, will be conducted for this program for the purpose to inform potential entrepreneurial opportunities in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Foshan. Remarkable entrepreneurial guests will be invited to share their entrepreneurial experiences and provide suggestions for participants related to entrepreneurship in the Greater Bay Area.

⑤ Hong Kong Regional Competition -- steps to final contest with teamwork

(Date: March 25, 2025 Venue: Multi-Function Room 2-3,  2/F, INNO2, Building 17W, Hong Kong Science Park. Zoom for those not in Hong Kong)

For the Hong Kong regional competition, all teams are required to perform a presentation of their project outcome (specific requirements will be announced during the physical GBA tour). The team with high scores will be rewarded by the Association.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Start-up Pitching -- acquire hands-on project experience

Project: other project opportunities

☀ Professional Leaders for HKSTP Ideation Project

This project aims to provide all-round support for startups, from designing the business model to finding investment. The startup teams will be guided every step of the way, fine-tuning the ideas for technical development, being mentored for business advice and networking opportunities will be provided to connect, grow, and navigate through the entrepreneurial journey. The startup teams might apply for the seed fund to HK$100,000 financial.

☀ Professional Leaders for Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (CCMF) Project

This project aims to support the development of innovative and creative digital technology ideas and the growth of early-stage startups. The project will provide HK$100,000 to support the development of innovative digital technology concepts and early-stage startups with the potential to stamp out the market needs with a view to helping their further development. Participants with outstanding innovation and technology projects will have the opportunity to be led by professionals to apply for the fund project.

☀ Professional Leaders for Social Enterprise Startup Scheme

The scheme aims to support students and alumni of The Chinese University of Hong Kong to set up new enterprises or expand their enterprises. It is particularly focused on mentorship, with experienced sector leaders guiding participants in developing business plans and operational skills. Participants will receive HK$100,000 from CUSE Fund to set up a social enterprise. Outstanding participants of this project will have the opportunity to be led by professionals to apply for the Scheme.

Other potential project opportunities include Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund (AEF) program, etc.