About Us
Discover ASCEND
About ASCEND
ASCEND (Advancing Social innovation through Collaborative Enterprise for Next-gen Digital inclusion) is a 2-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).
About Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation
Established in 2012, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) is a catalyst for transformative social change. We serve as a strategic vehicle advancing the University’s commitment to social responsibility through human-centered approaches to society’s most pressing challenges.
We are dedicated to driving social innovation through the “Inno for Good” strategic framework, which focuses on six key innovation streams: Aging for Good, Care for Good, Community for Good, Design and Service for Good, STEAMS for Good, and Tech for Good.
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.
Up to HK$3M Funding
Scale your social impact with financial support.
Expert Mentorship
Access guidance and network from industry leaders.
Tech for Good
Develop solutions for
digital equity.
Empower Digital Marginalised Groups
Drive social and economic participation.
5 Key Aspects of Social and Economic Participation
Social Networking
Enhancing online communication skills and digital citizenship
Healthcare
Improving access to digital health resources and telemedicine services
Food & Groceries
Facilitating online grocery shopping and nutrition information access
Transportation
Promoting digital solutions for efficient and accessible transportation services
Leisure & Sports
Promoting wellbeing
and health
None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, their respective affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of the contents herein (collectively, “the HKJC Parties”) makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the contents or as to the results that may be obtained by the use thereof. In no event shall any HKJC Party have any liability of any kind to any person or entity arising from or related to any actions taken or not taken as a result of any of the contents herein.
The contents of the Jockey Club Smart Teens Actions – ASCEND’s website will be updated from time to time without notice. We accept no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising from any use or misuse of or reliance on any information in this website. The links to websites owned or operated by parties other than JCDISI are provided for your reference only, we accept no responsibility for their contents.
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If you have any reason to believe that the website contains materials infringing your copyright, please notify us. We will investigate the matter immediately and take remedial action, if necessary.
In no event shall the Funder have any liability of any kind to any person or entity arising from or related to any actions taken or not taken as a result of any of the contents herein.
E-mail address: info.ascend@polyu.edu.hk
