Event

The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) is an annual territory-wide competition established to recognise and promote outstanding ICT inventions and applications. It comprises 8 award categories covering diverse sectors from digital entertainment to smart living.  The Student Innovation Award is one of the 8 categories, specifically designed to nurture young talent and encourage students to apply technology to solve real-world problems.

Award Stream: Higher Education

Eligibility

• Full-time students at UGC-funded institutions or self-financing post-secondary institutions
• Teams of 1 – 5 members
• Cross-institutional teams are permitted

Timeline

1. 20 Jul 2026:  Deadline for team registration  
2. 17 Aug – 25 Sep 2026:  Adjudication
3. 19 Nov 2026:  Category Awards Presentation Ceremony (Tentative)

Competition Themes

The 4 themes are reflecting Hong Kong's priorities guide the competition. Entries are encouraged to address one or more themes. A separate Best Use of AI Special Award recognises outstanding AI applications across all streams.  For Higher Education, a working prototype or proof-of-concept is expected.

1. Enhancing Information, Media, AI & Data Literacy;
2. Open Data;
3. Cultivating Nationalism; or
4. Wellness

Winner Benefits

The remarkable achievements of the Awards winners (Gold/Silver/Bronze) will be recognised by customers, organisations, the ICT industry practitioners and across the community. Winners will be entitled:

• to receive trophies (Gold / Silver / Bronze) of the HKICTA;
• to display the official logo of the HKICTA in their promotional materials; to participate in various promotional campaigns to publicise their achievements;
• to be supported for entering into other regional and international awards and competitions; to 3 months free access to co-working space in Hong Kong Science Park Incubation Centre for eligible SMEs;
• to participate in investment matching activities co-organised by the Hong Kong Venture Investment and Business Angel Network Limited (HKBAN) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP);
• to 3 months free access to Flexi Space in Cyberport Entrepreneurship Centre for SMEs;
• to free participation in some large-scale local ICT events (e.g. InnoEX) for marketing exposure;
• and to be invited to join the "HKICTA Winner Circle".

Grand Award winners (except Student Innovation Category) and "Higher Education" Gold Award winner(s) of Student Innovation Category will also be entitled to receive Green Channel Interview (conditional) offer of "HK Tech 300 Seed Fund" by City University of Hong Kong. The awardee will receive a seed fund of up to HKD100,000 and other support from the programme after passing the interview.

Registration
Visit the HKICTA website for more information and register online. 

Enquiries
Check out the FAQ;  contact HKICTA at icta.so@itda.hk or 5140 2387; or use their AI chatbot for assistance.