Question 1

What projects does Innovator Farm fund?

Accepted Answer

Innovator Farm provides funding support to Late Prototypes and Start-up projects that aim to alleviate poverty, prevent poverty, and achieve social inclusion. The funding amount ranges from up to HKD 300,000 to over HKD 2 million. For more information, please visit the page about Types of Funding.

Question 2

Which type of funding and how much amount should I apply for?

Accepted Answer

You can decide the type/amount of funding you apply for based on the maturity, development stage, actual funding requirements, etc. of your project.

Question 3

What guidance and support does the programme provide?

Accepted Answer

Innovator Farm provides guidance and support such as social innovation knowledge training, social entrepreneurship training, professional coaching, assistance in securing matching funds, cross-sectoral networks, exchange platforms, etc. to help social innovators enhance their Economic Capital, Strategic Capital, Social Capital and Cultural Capital. For more information, please visit the page about Our Services.

Question 4

When does the application process start?

Accepted Answer

The application period for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) via Innovator Farm has closed in May 2025. For enquiries, please email if.svb@fses.hk .

Question 5

Can I receive funding from other government programmes (such as Cyberport, Community Investment and Inclusion Fund, The Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme, etc.) at the same time?

Accepted Answer

The project cannot overlap with other existing public funding programmes. If you have any questions, please contact us during office hours.

Question 6

How long does the application and vetting process take and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

After submitting the funding application, it will undergo Pre-screening by Innovator Farm. Applicants will generally be informed of the Pre-screening results within 10  working days after the application deadline. Projects that pass Pre-screening will then undergo a vetting by The Joint Intermediary and Task Force Vetting Committee (JVC). In general, Innovator Farm will notify the applicant of the final result of the application by email within 3 months after the application deadline. The review time varies depending on whether the applicant's submitted information is complete. For more details, please refer to the Application Process.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at +825 9385-5784 during office hours.

Question 7

Can I apply for the prototype/start-up project with different projects at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can apply for more than one project at the same time, but the scope of each project must not overlap.

Question 8

What documents do I need to prepare when applying?

Accepted Answer

To apply for a project, you must submit a Business Proposal, Budget Plan, Pitching Deck, Prototype Report, Declaration and Consent Form

Question 9

Can I apply if I don't have a company?

Accepted Answer

If you are applying for a Late Prototype project (up to HKD 300,000), you can apply under your personal name. However, if the project is successfully funded, the relevant agreement must be signed under the name of a limited company or organisation.

Question 10

What are the eligibility requirements for applying?

Accepted Answer

Projects that promote poverty alleviation, poverty prevention or social inclusion through innovative approaches, and do not overlap with other existing government funding programmes, are eligible to apply as long as they have a registered limited company or organisation in Hong Kong. For more details, please refer to the Eligibility requirements.

Question 11

Do I need to establish a company to receive funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must establish a limited company to be eligible for funding from Innovator Farm.

Question 12

Will the funding be disbursed in instalments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the disbursement schedule varies for different funding periods. Please refer to the financial budget table for more details.

Question 13

Can I apply with a sole proprietorship or partnership?

Accepted Answer

No, only limited companies or organisations are eligible for funding from Innovator Farm. Sole proprietorships or partnerships are not eligible.

Question 14

Do I need to open a new bank account?

Accepted Answer

No, you can use an existing bank account. However, the designated bank account can only be used for project-related income and expenses, such as receiving funding grants, matching funds, and handling daily project expenses.

Question 15

Can I use the funding to pay salaries to team members?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use the funding to pay salaries to necessary team members who are involved in the project.

Question 16

What is matching fund?

Accepted Answer

Matching fund refers to the funding that is not provided by the SIE Fund and other Hong Kong SAR Government funding programmes. The funding can be in the form of cash and/or in-kind support, such as rental subsidies or equipment sponsorship. Applicants are required to submit documents to prove their value, and the matching amount is subject to relevant terms and conditions and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Question 17

If I have received support from matching funds, do I need to provide proof of documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes, applicants are required to submit documents (such as invoices and lease agreements) to prove the value of the matching funds. When the application is approved, the applicant must provide written commitment from the matching funder before signing the agreement. When the agreement is signed, the applicant must provide proof of receipt of the matching funds (either in full or in part according to the grant payment ratio) before receiving funding from the SIE Fund. Examples of proof may include bank statements or other relevant documents.

Question 18

What are the criteria for a successful application?

Accepted Answer

The Joint Vetting Committee will evaluate the project application based on the following criteria: the project's vision and social impact, its business model and sustainability, the innovation and value proposition of the project's product or service, the project management, governance, and team capability, and the effectiveness of the prototype testing. Each of these criteria will be carefully considered and evaluated to determine whether the project is a good fit for funding. For more information, please refer to the page about Vetting Criteria.

Question 19

Is there an age limit?

Accepted Answer

There is no age limit for this programme, but the Key Management of the project must be a Hong Kong resident over 18 years old to handle relevant financial and legal documents.

Question 20

Is there a limit on the number of team members?

Accepted Answer

You can apply individually or as a team. In most cases, the team should have not more than 6 members. For more information, please visit the Eligibility page. If you have any questions, please feel free to call +825 9385-5784 during office hours.

Question 21

Can non-Innovator Farm funded projects participate in Innovator Farm's activities?

Accepted Answer

We welcome all friends in the social innovation sector to participate in Innovator Farm's activities. However, as places for the activities are limited, priority will be given to Innovator Farm's funded projects.

Question 22

How to contact Innovator Farm?

Accepted Answer

Phone/WhatsApp: +852 9385 5784
Email: if.svb@fses.hk
Address: Flat B, 3/F, Shun Luen Factory Building, 86 To Kwa Wan Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong (For transportation, please click here)
Office hours: Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00; closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

The Framework