This English translation is for reference only. The Chinese version shall prevail in case of any inconsistencies.
Notice on Issuing the Measures for Supporting the Construction of Innovation Platforms and Carriers in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
All relevant departments,
The Measures for Supporting the Construction of Innovation Platforms and Carriers in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and is hereby issued for implementation. Should any issues arise during implementation, please promptly report them to the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
April 7, 2024
Normative Document No. 6/2024 of the Economic Development Bureau of the Executive Committee
Measures for Supporting the Construction of Innovation Platforms and Carriers in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Support for the Construction of Industry-Academia-Research Demonstration Bases at Colleges and Universities in Macao
Chapter III Funding for Innovation Platforms
Chapter IV Funding for Incubation Carriers
Chapter V Supplementary Provisions
Chapter I
General Provisions
Article 1.
Purpose of the Measures
These Measures are formulated to effectively implement the Measures for Promoting Scientific and Technological Innovation in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, accelerate the introduction and cultivation of scientific and technological innovation platforms, establish technological innovation and transformation centers, and strengthen the role of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (hereinafter referred to as the “Cooperation Zone”) as a key pillar of the international center for scientific and technological innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Article 2.
Definition
For the purposes of these Measures, the following definitions apply:
1. “Colleges and universities in Macao” refer to higher education institutions approved and established in accordance with the Statute of Higher Education (Administrative Regulation No. 18/2018 of the Macao SAR), including University of Macau, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao University of Tourism, City University of Macau, University of Saint Joseph, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macau Institute of Management, and Macau Millennium College;
2. “Fortune Global 500 companies” refer to enterprises or their controlled subsidiaries that are included in the Fortune Global 500 Ranking of the previous year;
3. “Central state-owned enterprises” refer to enterprises or their controlled subsidiaries that are under the supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council in the previous year;
4. “Listed enterprises” refer to enterprises listed on stock exchanges in the Chinese mainland (including the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and Beijing Stock Exchange) as well as on major stock exchanges outside the Chinese mainland (including the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stock Exchange, and London Stock Exchange);
5. “Seller” in a technology contract refers to the entrusted party in technology development, service, and consulting contracts; the transferrer in technology transfer contracts; or the licenser in technology licensing contracts;
6. “Controlled” refers to a shareholding structure in which an entity or individual holds more than 50% of the total capital contributions in a limited liability company, or owns more than 50% of the total share capital in a joint stock company.
7. “Substantive operations” shall be determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Rules for Determining Substantive Operations of Enterprises in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (Normative Document No. 2/2023 of the Executive Committee);
8. “Qualified institutional investors” refer to venture capital funds and private equity investment funds that have completed recordation procedures and operate in compliance with the Interim Measures for the Administration of Startup Investment Enterprises (Order No. 39 of the National Development and Reform Commission and nine other departments) or the Interim Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Privately Offered Investment Funds (Order No. 105 of the China Securities Regulatory Commission);
9. “Macao-funded enterprises” refer to enterprises where the investors are Macao residents or legal entities legally established in Macao that have been operating for at least two years, with a combined shareholding ratio of no less than 25%. The shareholding methods of the Macao residents and Macao legal entities include direct shareholding and indirect shareholding, but exclude nominee shareholding arrangements;
10. “Affiliated companies in Macao” refer to companies that are legally established in Macao, duly paying taxes (including but not limited to complementary tax and business tax) or lawfully exempt from taxation, and that either: (i) are directly held (excluding nominee shareholdings) by enterprises in the Cooperation Zone with more than 50% of the shares , or (ii) directly hold (excluding nominee shareholdings) more than 50% of the shares in an enterprise in the Cooperation Zone. Such companies shall also engage in the same or similar business activities as the said enterprise in the Cooperation Zone;
11. “Public service venues” refer to shared venues provided by incubators for incubated enterprises, including public dining halls, reception rooms, conference rooms, exhibition rooms, activity rooms, technology testing rooms, and other ancillary service venues; and
12. The terms “more than” and “or more” shall be interpreted as inclusive of the stated value.
Chapter II
Support for the Construction of Industry-Academia-Research Demonstration Bases at Colleges and Universities in Macao
Article 3.
Funding for Incubation Projects
A one-time grant of RMB 200,000 may be provided for projects recommended by colleges and universities in Macao and incubated in the college or university’s industry-academia-research demonstration bases. Each college or university in Macao may recommend up to 10 projects per year.
Article 4.
Application Conditions for Funding for Incubation Projects
Applications for funding for incubation projects shall meet the following conditions:
1. Applications for funding shall be submitted by industry-academia-research demonstration bases at colleges and universities in Macao, which shall allocate the granted funds to the respective projects;
2. Recommended projects shall originate from colleges and universities in Macao or from colleges and universities outside the Chinese mainland that rank among the top 300 in the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings, QS World University Rankings, or Times Higher Education World University Rankings within the past three years. The project leader shall be a full-time faculty or staff member of the respective college or university; and
3. Colleges and universities in Macao shall evaluate the innovativeness and commercialization potential of the recommended projects. Evaluation reports shall bear the official seal of the respective college or universities. Projects that focus solely on fundamental research shall not be recommended.
Article 5.
Paid-in Capital Rewards for Incubation Enterprises
A one-time reward of 20% of the paid-in capital in currency, up to a maximum of RMB 200,000, may be granted to startup enterprises in which colleges and universities in Macao hold shares for incubation. Each enterprise may apply only once.
Article 6.
Application Conditions for Paid-in Capital Rewards for Incubation Enterprises
Applications for paid-in capital rewards for incubation enterprises shall meet the following conditions:
1. Applicant entities shall be enterprises registered, subject to tax administration, and included in statistical reporting in the Cooperation Zone, possess independent legal status and standardized financial management systems, and are engaged in substantive operations in the Cooperation Zone;
2. Applicant entities shall have been established for no more than 48 months upon application;
3. Upon application, applicant entities shall have passed the evaluation for small and medium-sized technological enterprises and hold a valid registration number; and
4. Upon application, colleges and universities in Macao shall hold no less than 3% of the shares of the applicant entities.
Article 7.
Funding for the Construction of Associated Laboratories
Enterprises in the Cooperation Zone that jointly build associated laboratories with the industry-academia-research demonstration bases at colleges and universities in Macao, may receive funding equal to 30% of their actual investments, up to a maximum of RMB 2 million per laboratory.
Article 8.
Application Conditions for Funding for the Construction of Associated Laboratories
Applications for funding for the construction of associated laboratories shall meet the following conditions:
1. Applicant entities shall be industry-academia-research demonstration bases in the Cooperation Zone established by colleges and universities in Macao;
2. Applicant entities shall sign formal cooperation agreements with enterprises in the Cooperation Zone for the joint construction of associated laboratories;
3. Associated laboratories shall focus on technological R&D, transfer and transformation of technological achievements, and talent cultivation, and shall establish stable, clearly defined long-term cooperation mechanisms rather than one-time collaborations;
4. Associated laboratories shall have fixed premises, R&D personnel, and necessary instruments and equipment in the Cooperation Zone; and
5. Co-construction entities (enterprises in the Cooperation Zone) shall have already made actual investments in the associated laboratories.
Article 9.
Rewards for the Transformation of Technological Achievements
For technology contracts in which the industry-academia-research demonstration bases in the Cooperation Zone established by colleges and universities in Macao are the seller, a reward of 10% of the actual contract revenue may be granted, with a maximum of RMB 2 million per year.
The actual contract revenue shall be calculated as the lowest amount among the value stated in the technology contract, the corresponding tax invoice, and the bank receipt voucher. The revenue receipt date shall be determined based on the date indicated on the bank transfer voucher.
Revenue from enterprises with equity affiliations shall not be eligible for this reward.
Chapter III
Funding for Innovation Platforms
Article 10.
Funding for the Construction of Innovation Platforms
Innovative entities both inside and outside the Chinese mainland are encouraged to establish major innovation platforms in the Cooperation Zone that support industrial development through collaborations with colleges and universities, research institutes, and technology enterprises in Macao. Upon review, funding of up to RMB 100 million may be provided per platform.
For innovation platforms approved through the review process, the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall sign cooperation agreements with the applicant entities, outlining annual evaluation targets for the construction period. At the end of each annual evaluation period, the Economic Development Bureau shall assess the the platform’s performance for the previous year and allocate annual funding to platforms that meet the specified targets.
The funding period for each platform shall not exceed five consecutive years, with annual funding disbursed at 30% of the total investments in platform construction from self-owned funds (excluding government grants at any level).
Total construction investments include venue rental, renovations, instrument and equipment (including software) purchases, and personnel expenses, and shall be verified through third-party audit reports.
Article 11.
Application Conditions for Funding for the Construction of Innovation Platforms
Innovation platforms shall meet the following criteria, and applications shall be submitted under only one of the following categories:
1. Industrial Technology Research and Development Platforms: Platforms that address the development needs of key industries in the Cooperation Zone, including integrated circuits, electronic components, new materials, new energy, big data, artificial intelligence, IoT, and biomedicine, and engage in R&D on common key technologies, demonstration of new technology applications, technological transformation, standard formulation, and talent cultivation; or
2. Scientific and Technological Public Service Platforms: Platforms that address common technological challenges and sustainable development needs for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by providing inspection and testing, pilot-scale incubation, research and design, resource sharing, financial services, talent recruitment, and technology consulting, thereby reducing innovation costs and enhancing resource efficiency of the enterprises.
Applications for funding for the construction of innovation platforms shall meet the following conditions:
1. Applicant entities shall meet one of the following conditions:
(1) Be Fortune Global 500 companies, central state-owned enterprises, listed enterprises, unicorn enterprises recognized by the Cooperation Zone, or award-winning enterprises in the Hengqin Scientific and Technological Entrepreneurship Competitions;
(2) Be colleges and universities inside or outside the Chinese mainland that rank among the top 300 in the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings, QS World University Rankings, or Times Higher Education Rankings within the past three years; or
(3) Be national-level research institutions or research institutions that rank among the top 200 in the Nature Index within the past three years.
2. The applicant, or at least one co-construction partner, shall be an innovative entity from Macao, including colleges and universities, research institutions, or science and technology enterprises certified by the Macao SAR Government (science and technology enterprises with potential, growing-stage science and technology enterprises, or key science and technology enterprises);
3. The operating entity of the innovation platform shall be registered in the Cooperation Zone with independent legal status. If the operating entity has not yet been established, the applicant entity shall commit to completing registration within three months after the public announcement of project approval;
4. Innovation platforms shall have a public service function and provide services to relevant industries, enterprises, or institutions; and
5. Total investments in the platform construction shall be no less than RMB 20 million.
Article 12.
Approval Procedures for the Construction Projects of Innovation Platforms
The approval procedures for the construction projects of innovation platforms are as follows:
1. Application: Applicant entities shall submit construction plans and other materials to the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone. The construction plans for innovation platforms shall detail the platform functions, construction objectives, construction items, construction phases, organizational structure, operation teams, investment estimates, financing plans, expected economic and social benefits, and annual evaluation targets. Annual evaluation targets shall be measurable and assessable, and ensure authenticity without exaggeration. Upon project approval, the evaluation targets outlined in the construction plans shall constitute an integral part of the cooperation agreements;
2. Preliminary Review: The Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall conduct a preliminary review of the application materials;
3. Review and Assessment: The Economic Development Bureau shall organize experts or commission third-party institutions to conduct reviews and assessments through written reviews, on-site defenses, and field inspections, among others. For applications that pass the reviews and assessments, the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall issue a Notice on Project Approval to the applicant entities; and
4. Signing of Cooperation Agreements: Approved projects shall sign cooperation agreements with the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone, with the evaluation targets incorporated as part of the contractual obligations.
Article 13.
Rewards for the Recognition of Innovation Platforms
Scientific and technological innovation platforms, such as state key laboratories, national technology innovation centers, national engineering research centers, national industrial innovation centers, national manufacturing innovation centers, and national clinical medicine research centers, that are approved or recognized for the first time by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or other relevant national ministries and commissions after the implementation of these Measures, a one-time reward of RMB 30 million may be granted. The aforesaid scientific and technological innovation platforms that are recognized for the first time by Guangdong Province after the implementation of these Measures, a one-time reward of RMB 10 million may be granted. Within the validity period of these Measures, the rewards for recognition at the same level shall be granted only once. If a platform qualifies for multiple reward levels, it shall be granted the highest applicable reward, with any difference being compensated accordingly.
New forms of R&D institutions and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao associated laboratories that are recognized for the first time by Guangdong Province after the implementation of these Measures, a one-time reward of RMB 3 million may be granted. Within the validity period of these Measures, the rewards for recognition of the same level shall be granted only once.
Enterprise technology centers or engineering technology research centers that are recognized for the first time by the state or Guangdong Province after the implementation of these Measures, a one-time reward of RMB 5 million and RMB 500,000 may be granted, respectively. Within the validity period of these Measures, the rewards for recognition of the same level shall be granted only once. If a platform qualifies for multiple reward levels, it shall be granted the highest reward, with the difference being compensated accordingly.
Chapter IV
Funding for Incubation Carriers
Article 14.
Funding for the Construction of Specialized Incubators
Innovative entities both inside and outside the Chinese mainland are enouraged to collaborate with colleges and universities, research institutes, and science and technology enterprises in Macao to establish specialized incubators in specific industry sub-sectors. For entities newly reconized as specialized incubators in the Cooperation Zone, funding may be provided equal to 50% of the total investments made by their operating entites from self-owned funds (excluding budgetary funds provided by governments) in the construction of the incubators, over the three years prior to their recognition (or the actual operation period if established for less than three years). The maximum funding shall not exceed RMB 10 million per incubator.
Total construction investments shall include venue rental, renovations, instrument and equipment (including software) purchases, and personnel expenses, and shall be verified through third-party audit reports.
Article 15.
Recognition of Specialized Incubators
Applications for the recognition of specialized incubators shall meet the following conditions:
1. The construction entities of incubators shall include at least one innovative entity in Macao, such as Macao colleges and universities, research institutions, or science and technology enterprises certified by the Macao SAR Government (science and technology enterprises with potential, growing-stage science and technology enterprises, and key science and technology enterprises);
2. The operating entities of incubators shall be registered in the Cooperation Zone with independent legal status, and have sound operation management systems and incubation service mechanisms;
3. Incubators shall have a clear industry focus aligned with the key industries prioritized for development in the Cooperation Zone;
4. Incubators shall have completed registration on the Guangdong Incubation Service Platform for Science and Technology Enterprises (Guangdong Incubator Online) and shall have reported relevant statistical data for at least one year;
5. Incubators shall have centralized venues, with an independently controlled incubation space of no less than 3,000 square meters (for leased venues, the remaining lease term upon application shall be no less than five years). The venues used by incubated enterprises (including public service venues) shall account for at least 75% of the total incubation space;
6. Incubators shall develop open public service platforms in specialized technological fields through self-construction, co-construction, or cooperation to provide professional technological services such as R&D, design, inspections, testing, low-cost trial production, and pilot-scale experiments to incubated enterprises;
7. Incubators shall set up angel investment funds or venture capital funds, or utilize self-owned funds for early-stage project investments. The proportion of incubated enterprises that have obtained investment and financing shall be no less than 10%;
8. The operating entities of incubators shall employ professional service teams, with dedicated incubation service personnel accounting for more than 60% of the total staff. Dedicated incubation service personnel refer to dedicated personnel of incubators with experience in entrepreneurship, investment and financing, and enterprise management, or those who have received relevant training in entrepreneurship services. The number of dedicated incubation service personnel shall be no less than six, and at least one entrepreneurship mentor shall be appointed. Entrepreneurship mentor refers to entrepreneurs, investment experts, or management consulting experts trained by science and technology departments or industry associations and organizations, or employed by incubators to provide professional and practical guidance to startups; and
9. Incubators shall have no fewer than 10 incubated enterprises, of which at least 75% shall be engaged in R&D and production within the incubator’s designated industry. The number of graduate enterprises that have successfully transitioned and settled in the Cooperation Zone shall be no less than five. At least 35% of incubated enterprises shall have applied for patents, or at least 10% shall possess valid intellectual property rights.
The aforementioned “incubated enterprises” shall meet the following conditions:
1. Be primarily engaged in the R&D, production, and services of new technologies and products, and comply with relevant requirements for small and medium-sized technological enterprises;
2. Have their domiciles, business premises, and main R&D and office spaces within the incubator, and have settled in the incubator for no more than 24 months; and
3. Have an incubation period not exceeding 48 months, except for enterprises in biomedicine and integrated circuits, which may have an incubation period of up to 60 months.
The aforementioned “graduate enterprises” shall meet any of the following conditions:
1. Be recognized as national high-tech enterprises;
2. Have total equity financing (paid-in capital from qualified institutional investors) exceeding RMB 2 million;
3. Have annual business revenue exceeding RMB 5 million for two consecutive years; or
4. Have been merged, acquired, or listed on domestic or overseas capital markets.
The qualification of recognized incubators shall be valid for three years from the date of recognition and shall be subject to re-recognition after expiration.
Article 16.
Rewards for the Recognition of Incubation Carriers
Science and technology incubators that newly receive national or Guangdong provincial recognition may be granted a one-time reward of RMB 3 million and RMB 2 million, respectively. Within the validity period of these Measures, incubators eligible for multiple reward levels shall be granted the highest applicable reward, with the difference being compensated accordingly.
State-registered makerspaces and Guangdong Provincial makerspaces that are newly recognized may be granted one-time reward of RMB 600,000 and RMB 500,000, respectively. Within the validity period of these Measures, makerspaces eligible for multiple reward levels shall be granted the highest applicable reward, with the difference being compensated accordingly.
Makerspaces and incubators of science and technology enterprises that are newly qualified by the state or Guangdong Province as Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao based, international, or specialized, an additional reward of RMB 200,000 may be granted to makerspaces and RMB 400,000 to incubators of science and technology enterprises for each such qualification.
Article 17.
Rewards for the Operation of Incubation Carriers
For incubation carriers of science and technology enterprises pass the qualification by the state, Guangdong Province, or the Cooperation Zone, if they introduce and cultivate science and technology enterprises meeting any of the following conditions, a reward of RMB 100,000 per enterprise may be granted to each operating entity of incubation carriers, with a maximum annual reward of RMB 3 million per incubation carrier:
1. “Little giant” enterprises that use specialized and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, and are newly recognized within the validity period of these Measures;
2. National high-tech enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises that use specialized and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, and are newly included in the Cooperation Zone’s statistical database of enterprises above a designated size within the validity period of these Measures;
3. Unicorn enterprises, future unicorn enterprises, or seed-stage unicorn enterprises determined by the Cooperation Zone; and
4. Enterprises that have obtained equity financing of RMB 20 million or more (paid-in capital from qualified institutional investors) within the past two years.
The aforementioned enterprises shall conduct substantive operations in the incubation carriers, and the same enterprise shall not be used for duplicate reward applications.
Chapter V
Supplementary Provisions
Article 18.
Special Support
Enterprises meeting either of the following conditions shall be eligible to receive support under Articles 10, 13, 16, and 17 of these Measures at a rate of 120% of the established standards:
1. Macao-funded enterprises; or
2. Affiliated companies in Macao that have obtained certification as key science and technology enterprises from the Macao SAR Government.
Article 19.
Applicable Principles
Except as otherwise provided by laws and regulations, application for and receipt of benefits under these Measures shall not affect an applicant’s eligibility for other policy support and preferential treatment from the national or Guangdong provincial governments, except for those borne or matched by the Cooperation Zone’s finances.
In cases where these Measures overlap or conflict with other policies issued by the Cooperation Zone or with requirements from higher authorities that involve financial obligations or supporting funds from the Cooperation Zone, except as otherwise specified by other regulations, applicants may choose the most favorable option under the principle of “prioritizing the higher standard without duplication”.
Article 20.
Supervision of Funds
Applicants shall ensure the completeness, authenticity, accuracy, and legality of their application materials, and shall bear legal liability for the submitted materials. Applicants who provide false materials or fraudulently obtain support funds shall be subject to strict investigation and penalties in accordance with relevant regulations. In cases of serious violations, the applicants shall be held liable in accordance with the law.
Where an applicant is subject to criminal penalties or administrative penalties such as fines, confiscation of illegal proceeds, confiscation of illegal property, restrictions on production or business activities, orders to cease production or business, or orders to close down due to violations of national laws and regulations, the applicant shall be prohibited from applying for relevant subsidies.
Where an applicant relocates out of the Cooperation Zone, cancels its registration, or alters its tax payment or statistical reporting obligations in the Cooperation Zone within five years of receiving the final installment of support funds under these Measures, the applicant shall return all received funds in a lump sum, together with interest calculated at the prevailing Loan Prime Rate (LPR).
Article 21.
Power of Interpretation
These Measures shall be interpreted and implemented by the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 22.
Effective Date and Validity Period
These Measures shall come into effect on January 1, 2023 and remain valid until December 31, 2025.