Submission

Innovate for Future (IFF) Competition is an open innovation and technology competition that inspires young people in Hong Kong to create innovative products or services that solve and improve real-life challenges, from idea generation to prototype development. The competition is open to higher education institutes and universities in the Hong Kong SAR. Students will pitch how to move human society forward with feasible innovations and products during our coaching process.

This competition is supported by our international partner, San Jose State University (SJSU) Silicon Valley Centre for Global Studies (SVCGS). The final champion or winners will have the opportunity to submit their projects to SJSU global programs such as the Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge (SVIC) Competition and Showcase. Winners will also have the opportunity to join our local industry support and mentorship programs for project extension and commercialization. 

The following competition stages and submission requirements are for the Tertiary Stream only.

Registration Stage:

The Tertiary Stream of the Innovate for Future (IFF) Competition applies to higher education institutions and universities in the Hong Kong SAR. 

Eligibility

  • The Tertiary Stream of the IFF Competition is open to students from higher education institutions and universities in HKSAR.
  • Each team member must be currently studying a tertiary program at Qualification Framework Level 4 or above (e.g. university degree, higher diploma, higher certificate or equivalent) in HKSAR.
  • For any project team submission from VTC Youth College, there will be a dedicated assessment panel for finalist selection.


Team Formation

  • Each team must consist of 1 to 4 members.
  • Each team must appoint one team leader as the primary contact person.
  • Each tertiary institution may register multiple teams.


All Tertiary Stream teams shall register through the online registration page on the IFF website. Once the registration process is completed, teams will receive an email confirmation with a team ID.

Project Submission Stage:

Tertiary Stream teams must submit a proposal solution in PowerPoint format comprising no more than 15 pages. The proposal must cover the following topics:

  1. Defining the problem
    • Clearly identify the problem you are solving, aligned with the IFF2026 themes.

  1. Describing the key points based on the following areas:
    • Project Title and Description
    • Technology-Based Solution: Describe how your technology-based solution contributes to solving the project goal. Outline the detailed solution, specify the problem(s) to be solved, and explain the implementation approach.
    • Project Beneficiaries: Identify the beneficiaries who will gain social, economic, or environmental advantages from your project.
    • Project Prototype: Describe the project components (hardware, software, and/or other applications to be developed). Elaborate on the uniqueness and competitive advantages of your solution.
    • Project Cost: Provide a breakdown of project costs, including human effort, resources, budget, and other relevant expenses.
    • Project Enhancement: Describe any planned enhancements, improvements, or future development plans for your project.

  1. Submitting a 3-minute YouTube video explaining the above project ideas 
    • You are reminded that you must not use any unlicensed materials, including images, music, or video content, in your submission.
    • All submissions will be assessed by the IFF Mentoring Team.

  1. All the submitted works must not contain any obscene, violent, pornographic, defamatory, objectionable or abusive content or any other content that is controversial or inappropriate; and must not contain sensitive information including but not limited to personal data, confidential information and copyrighted information. Organizer reserves the right of final decision and the right to disqualify such project proposals.

  2. Submission for tertiary stream team must be in written and spoken English.  Any submission not in English may lead to mark deduction or disqualification

  3. The finalist results of Tertiary Stream teams will include the top three finalists, three teams receiving a Certificate of Excellence, and five teams receiving a Certificate of Merit. The finalist results will be announced on the IFF website and will also be communicated by email.

All proposal solutions and videos must be submitted through the online submission page on the IFF website. Once the submission process is completed, teams will receive an email acknowledgement.

Final Stage:

  1. Top 3 finalists & 3 teams receiving Certificate of Excellence will be selected to pitch and present their project ideas to our judging panel in the IFF2026 Pitch & Showcase Day. If your team is invited to the pitching session, you are required to clearly articulate your ideas, including the defined problems and solution details such as design concepts, prototypes, potential benefits, product uniqueness, market feasibility, and associated risks. Each team will have 10 minutes for pitching, followed by 5 minutes for Q&A.  Our judges will evaluate each team’s ideas and performance for final winners.

  2. Top 3 finalists & 3 teams receiving Certificate of Excellence will be invited to showcase their projects to our industry guests during the Showcase session.

  3. Top 10 finalists will be invited to participate in the Pitch & Showcase Day, which includes the awards and certificates presentation by our distinguished guests during the awards ceremony.

Remark: The organizer reserves the right to make final decisions on any revisions to the competition regulations and arrangements.

Judging Guidelines

Project Submission Stage

  • Innovation – 35%
  • Feasibility – 30%
  • Presentation – 10%
  • Social Impact – 15%
  • Cybersecurity Elements – 10%

Final Stage (Pitch Session)

  • Innovation – 35%
  • Implementation – 30%
  • Presentation – 10%
  • Social Impact – 15%
  • Cybersecurity Elements – 10%

Judging Result