Implementing the Quality Startup Management System model in Hong Kong: a case study

The innovation and technology industries have become key areas to which the HKSAR Government is committed for advanced technology development and new economic driven. In order to nurture and support local technology startups grow and flourish successfully, HKSTP had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) to support incubation programmes through business matching and quality assurance mechanisms for startup companies. Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) was invited by HKQAA to be one of members in the advisory committee for this recognition scheme. Then, focus group was formed from different parties, including but not limited to incubatees, incubators, investors, HKSTP, HKQAA, HKSQ and other concerned stakeholders. This paper aims to introduce a systematic approach model named 'Quality Startup Management System (QStarMS) Model' through literature review and analysis, focus group and case study. QStarMS integrated Business Side of startup using Business Model Generation/Canvas (BMG/C) and Management Side under ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, as well as, to simplify the model to fit startups requirements and overcome their limitations. Finally, we will report the recently progress of the QStarMS implementation through HKQAA Registration - Startups scheme.