The investment period of the Applied Research Fund has expired in end March 2005 and the Fund has ceased making new investments.
What is the Applied Research Fund?
The Applied Research Fund is a venture capital fund to support technology ventures undertaken by local companies. Key features include :
- The Fund is managed by private-sector venture capital firms. The fund managers will assess the technical and commercial viability of proposed technology ventures. They will also determine the terms of the Fund's investment in a company.
- The company will hold all intellectual property rights arising from the project.
Background of the Applied Research Fund
The Applied Research Fund (ARF) is a government owned venture capital fund of $750 million set up in 1993 to provide funding support to technology ventures and research and development projects that have commercial potential. The longer term aim is to increase the technology capability and to enhance the competitiveness of local industry, thereby promoting high value added economic development in Hong Kong. The ARF is controlled and administered by the Applied Research Council (ARC), a company wholly owned by the Government and formed specifically for this role.
Starting from November 1998, private sector venture capital firms were engage to manage the ARF. The fund managers will assess the technical and commercial viability of proposed technology ventures. They will also determine the terms of the Fund's investment in a company. Suitable investment proposal will be brought up to the Board of Directors of ARC for Public Mission Vetting.
List of Applied Research Council's Board of Directors
Will my company be eligible to apply?
Your company will be eligible if it is a local company. If your company is incorporated in British Virgin Islands, Cayman or Bermuda, it is also eligible so long as the fund obtained will be channelled to the local subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong.
What kind of projects will be supported?
Technology businesses that have commercial potential will be considered.
List of Investee Companies
List of investee companies which received funding before November 1998
