About Us

Discover ASCEND

About ASCEND Tech for Good Scheme

ASCEND (Advancing Social innovation through Collaborative Enterprise for Next-gen Digital inclusion) is a 3-year initiative empowering youth-led startups to develop sustainable business models addressing digital equity issues in smart city development. Organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Jockey Club Design Institute of Social Innovation and the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office, ASCEND is funded by The Smart Teens Actions of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (HKJC).

5 Key Aspects of Social and Economic Participation

Enhancing online communication skills and digital citizenship

Social Networking

Improving access to digital health resources and telemedicine services

Healthcare

Facilitating online grocery shopping and nutrition information access

Food & Groceries

Promoting digital solutions for efficient and accessible transportation services

Transportation

Promoting wellbeing and health

Leisure & Sports

How ASCEND Provides Support

Through strategic incubation, ASCEND helps startups develop user-centric technologies and digital literacy programmes that enable digitally-deprived groups with competences to thrive in increasingly connected world. By combining innovative solutions with digital life skill training, ASCEND enables social and economic participations among digitally marginalised communities. As a cornerstone of HKJC’s ‘Smart Teens Actions’, ASCEND cultivates inclusive tech leaders shaping Hong Kong’s equitable smart city future.

Expert Mentorship

Access guidance and network from industry leaders.

Tech for Good

Develop solutions for digital equity.

Bridge the Digital Divided

Drive social and economic participation.