Contracts can feel like “something for later” when you’re building a start-up, or juggling a university project, internship task, or student collaboration. But in reality, it is often the legal basics that decide whether a team moves fast or gets stuck. Unclear terms, missing clauses, weak confidentiality, and ambiguous IP ownership can quickly escalate into disputes that stall progress and put outcomes, and even ownership, at risk.
To help students and alumni build a practical legal foundation early, the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) delivered the second session of the Thematic In-Depth Training series under our three-year GBA Youth Start-up and Social Innovation Programme: “Commercial Agreements and Legal Basics” on 14 April 2026 via Zoom. Funded by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission, the Programme supports HSUHK students and alumni in turning socially valuable ideas into workable ventures.
Led by Ms Judy Lam (Practising Lawyer; professionally trained across Hong Kong and London at an international law firm), the workshop walked the participants through four core areas: building a workable contract structure; strengthening internal governance and incentives when resources are tight; managing high-risk real-world scenarios (from platform workforce boundaries and health/AI-related compliance to marketing claims and accident liability); and handling IP, data, and dispute resolution with clarity, especially in cross-border contexts. Such responses were in direct response to our 13 start-up teams’ real, pressing questions, with practical guidance teams could act on immediately.
The session was especially valuable for its “real life” focus. Through clear examples and scenario-based explanations, over 30 participants learned how to spot red flags early, use simple language to clarify expectations, and build agreements that protect relationships as much as they protect work. The Q&A was active throughout, with questions ranging from team arrangements and confidentiality boundaries to the right time to document IP-related decisions.
Thank you again to Judy for a sharp, practical, and highly applicable workshop, giving our student founders and project teams a stronger, safer foundation for growth.