Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme
Beijing (STEP - BEIJING) - Summer 2026

Highlights

STEP-Beijing
(Summer 2025)

Financial Support

Financial allowance: STEP subsidy will be available, subject to the satisfactory completion of the Programme and meeting relevant requirements.

• The subsidy will be granted and released to students by installments.
• Subsidy is up to HKD 8,000 maximum* per month or prorated, subject to the internship period and location.
• Airfare (one round-trip in economy class) will be reimbursed based on actual expenses.

*Remarks: If the host company provides remuneration, accommodation / airfare / allowance to students, the amount of CAI allowance will be reduced.

Pre-Departure Details

Flight and Accommodation

Students are responsible for arranging their flights and accommodation for their stay in the internship location for the entire period, which is subject to confirmation and advice by CAI.

Travel Documents and Visa

Students are responsible for obtaining the correct visa, passport, and other necessary personal travel documents for their stay in the destination and will bear the associated cost.

Insurance

• Students will be covered by the University's Group Personal Accident Insurance and Group Travel Insurance Policy throughout their stay overseas, provided that they depart from Hong Kong to the host destination. Please click here for details.
• In addition to the University’s provision, students are advised to purchase additional personal travel insurance.

Notes: Students are responsible for their own living expenses, including meals and transportation. Students must ensure sufficient funds for living outside Hong Kong for the entire period.

Host Companies

Start-up companies affiliated with HICOOL, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, and other outstanding start-up companies based in Beijing.

HICOOL

HICOOL brand was established in 2020. It is an all-in-one startup ecosystem managed by Beijing Overseas Talents Association, introducing and servicing entrepreneurial talents through the Competition and Summit, empowering technology-based start-ups, and encouraging innovations by value creation. HICOOL has built 6 business units, including the Competition/Summit, the Business College, the Industrial Park, the Service Manager, the Investment Fund, and the HICOOL@ONLINE Digital Platform. Through the multi-dimensional and international service matrix, HICOOL facilitates entrepreneurs and start-ups to base and develop in Beijing. Based on the global partnership networks, HICOOL has built an information and resource matchmaking platform for the startup ecosystem. All parties on value chain can connect to each other through the services of HICOOL.

The HICOOL Global Entrepreneurs Summit & Entrepreneurship Competition is a leading global event in technology and innovation. It has rapidly expanded, attracting top entrepreneurs and over 10,000 cutting-edge projects from around the world. With strong international participation, the summit showcases its role as a premier hub for global innovation. The competition highlights frontier technologies, awarding high-potential projects with disruptive innovations and clear commercialization paths - mainly in healthcare and life sciences, new-generation information technology, high-end equipment, and green energy.

Leveraging the strong collaboration with HICOOL, selected CityUHK undergraduates will have the opportunity to intern at outstanding start-ups in the HICOOL ecosystem in Beijing to gain valuable hands-on experience and broaden their horizons in the diverse global start-up ecosystems.

For more details, please visit: https://www.hicool.com.

Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area

Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), also known as E-Town, is one of Beijing’s core platforms for building an international sci-tech innovation center. It is both a national-level economic-technological development zone and a high-tech industrial park. Home to tens of thousands of high-tech companies, E-Town has established a modern industrial system centered around four major sectors: new-generation information technology, high-end and new-energy intelligent connected vehicles, biotechnology and health, as well as robotics and smart manufacturing.

The area hosts globally renowned industry leaders such as JD.com, Beijing Benz, Bayer, Xiaomi Auto, and SMIC, while also nurturing a large number of “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” enterprises, unicorns, and hidden champions. Many companies here are dedicated to R&D and industrialization in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, biopharmaceuticals, and integrated circuits, forming a complete ecosystem from innovation to commercialization. With outstanding regional innovation capacity, E-Town boasts multiple national key laboratories, engineering research centers, and corporate technology centers.

Leveraging its robust industrial ecosystem and supportive policy environment, E-Town has become a main center of high-end, precision, and advanced industries in Beijing and a key engine for technological innovation, offering extensive development opportunities for talents and enterprises alike.

The STEP programme connects CityUHK undergraduates with high-quality start-ups and tech enterprises in the zone for internship opportunities in E-Town. Participants will also have the chance to visit leading companies and advanced technology hubs, gaining global exposure and practical insights into innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

For more details, please visit: https://www.beijingetown.com.cn/.

Course Registration and Application

Course information and credit units are subject to the respective School / College’s arrangement and confirmation. The application deadline for STEP is 31 October 2025, HKT 23:59. To apply, please click here.

Enquiry

If you are interested in learning more about STEP, please contact CAI at cai@cityu.edu.hk.