Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge (HKSEC) 2026-27

Established in 2007, the Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge (HKSEC) is a social venture startup competition organised by the Center for Entrepreneurship of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and sponsored by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau. The initiative is dedicated to accelerating the growth of youth-led social enterprises.

Competition Overview

First Round:
All teams will summarise the social need and the social venture model to address it in a set of documents, including Executive Summary, Concept Deck, Lean Canvas and Appendices.

Semi-Final:
Semi-Final teams will be invited to write up their detailed social venture plans and pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges.

Grand Final:
8 Final teams will then be selected to compete for the 4 major awards.

Eligibility and Registration

• Each team must consist of a minimum of 2 members but not more than 4 members.
• In each team, all members must be individuals aged from 18 to 35 (inclusive), having the right to abode in Hong Kong with an undergraduate or higher academic qualification(s).
  • at least 50% of the members must be:
    • a current student in a diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program offered by any tertiary institution in Hong Kong; or
    • a former student who was awarded diplomas or degrees by any tertiary institution in Hong Kong from January 2023 to the present; or
    • a student or graduate from any tertiary institution outside Hong Kong with the right to abode in Hong Kong who has obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification(s) since January 2023 or later and expressed a wish to return to Hong Kong for employment or future development; and
• All participants should be well aware of their responsibilities to execute their business plans when they enter the challenge.
• Each participant can only be associated with one team.
• Teams may be comprised of members from different participating institutions.
• Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, but not mandatory.
• Each team must have one faculty advisor to confirm that team members are eligible and to give team members appropriate advice.
• Teams are allowed to enter their plans in other business plan competitions.
• Teams are allowed to add, change or withdraw team members before the First Round submission; thereafter, teams are only allowed to withdraw members before the submission of the Team Confirmation Form. Addition of new members is allowed for up to the maximum team size of 4 persons.
• Any form of plagiarism will result in disqualification.

Social Venture Plan Themes

A HKSEC social venture plan may address any local, national, regional, or global social need. For example, you may address problems faced by senior citizens, medical patients, youth or new immigrants. The plan may also address problems of poverty, healthcare, education, the environment, information and communication technology, social services, agriculture, distribution or manufacturing. The proposed social venture model should contain at least the double bottom line, that is, a sustainable financial return and a distinguished social mission. Environmental neutrality is the third bottom line that is always welcome.