Following the announcement by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Hong Kong SAR Government of the list of funded projects under the third round of the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISE+), the funding details have now been officially confirmed.The “Ultrafast Multi-material 3D Nano-fabrication Platform Based on Two-photon Projection Technology” project, coordinated by Professor Shi-Qi Chen as the Project Coordinator, with Astra Optics Limited participating in its commercialization, has been awarded HK$37,285,000 in funding.The project is scheduled to officially commence in November 2026.
I. Official Recognition Through a Rigorous Evaluation Process
The Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISE+) is a flagship funding program established by the Hong Kong SAR Government to accelerate the commercialization of university research outcomes. The scheme adopts a rigorous evaluation process, under which proposed projects are comprehensively assessed across multiple dimensions, including scientific excellence, industrial potential, commercial viability, and the execution capability of the project team.
The official approval of HK$37.285 million in funding reflects the Innovation and Technology Commission’s formal recognition—following multiple rounds of evaluation—of the project’s technological maturity, manufacturability for mass production, and market potential. It also marks an important policy endorsement for the commercialization of femtosecond projection nanomanufacturing technology.
II. A 1:1 Matching Mechanism: Policy Support and Market Investment Working Together
The RAISE+ Scheme adopts a 1:1 matching funding mechanism, under which government funding must be matched by funds raised from industry partners by the project team on a one-to-one basis.
This mechanism is designed to ensure that every funded project is validated from two complementary perspectives:
- The government’s expert review system, which evaluates technological innovation and commercialization potential; and
- The commercial judgment of industry partners and investors, demonstrated through their financial commitment.
The combination of policy support and market validation distinguishes the RAISE+ Scheme from traditional research funding programs. It enables projects to receive both public policy resources and industrial support from the very beginning.As a CUHK-incubated startup that has successfully completed its first round of venture financing, Astra Optics Limited has already established a solid financing foundation within the industry, providing strong support for the successful implementation of the matching funding requirement.
III. Three-year Project Period: From Laboratory Prototype to an Industrial-scale Platform
According to the project plan, during the three-year implementation period from November 2026 to October 2029, the research team will continue advancing the core technologies of the FP NanoPrinter (Femtosecond Projection NanoPrinter).The technology is already among the industry’s leaders in key performance metrics, including printing speed, resolution, and manufacturing cost.It is also compatible with a wide range of materials—including metals, semiconductors, and ceramics—overcoming the material limitations of conventional nanomanufacturing platforms.
Astra Optics Limited will lead the commercialization of the technology, focusing on the manufacturing of high-precision micro-/nano-optical components and their molds. Its product portfolio will cover optical waveguide components, photonic interconnects for AI data centers, and next-generation 3D photonic computing chips, driving the technology from laboratory prototypes toward industrial-grade products.
IV. Conclusion
From being selected as a Senior Research Fellow by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, to leading the InnoHK Centre for Intelligent Photonics (CHIP), and now receiving official funding under the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISE+), Professor Shi-Qi Chen and his research team have continued to advance the field of nanomanufacturing, earning growing recognition from both the academic community and policymakers.
With the project officially commencing in November 2026, Astra Optics Limited will steadily advance the project’s research, development, and commercialization, helping femtosecond projection nanomanufacturing technology realize its full potential in the global precision manufacturing industry and contributing to the commercialization of Hong Kong’s research innovations.
