Should innovation and technology talent be nurtured from a young age? What key skills are essential for developing an innovative mindset? What are the prospects for Hong Kong’s younger generation in pursuing opportunities in mainland Chinese cities? These questions might find answers in the experiences of some pioneering entrepreneurs.
Mark has had a deep connection with robotics since childhood. True to his aspirations, he turned his dream into reality, successfully establishing a business in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and carving out his own path. (Image source: Contemporary China)
In 2017, Mark founded Roborn, a robotics company, successfully transforming his passion into a career. Later, he collaborated with a mainland telecommunications company to develop China’s first 5G motion-sensing bionic robot.
This type of robot can be remotely operated using wearable sensors, allowing users to avoid entering dangerous environments. (Image source: Screenshot from the “Tech Innovation Pilot” video)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark’s team successfully developed various anti-epidemic robots, which were adopted by multiple government departments and nonprofit organizations.
In the interview program Tech Innovation Pilot, Mark stated that innovation and technology talent indeed needs to be nurtured from a young age. Beyond having an innovative mindset, it’s also essential to possess knowledge across multiple domains. “The first thing is to have vision. The second is to have foresight, which involves continuous learning. And, of course, the most important thing is a solid foundation in engineering and science,” he said.
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Mark explained that entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business—it also involves research and development, marketing, and financial support. (Image source: Screenshot from the “Tech Innovation Pilot” video)
Just like even the best seeds require suitable soil to thrive, entrepreneurship also demands the right environment. Having passion and ability alone isn’t enough to ensure success; factors like a supportive environment and policies are equally important. Mark’s entrepreneurial journey began in the Greater Bay Area.
As early as 2016, Mark participated in a tech innovation and entrepreneurship competition in Shenzhen. After winning, he established his presence in the city. He believes that each city in the Bay Area has its unique features and advantages. He advises young aspiring entrepreneurs to integrate resources from both sides and leverage the convenience of the Greater Bay Area to pursue their dreams. In the process, they should choose the city that aligns with their interests and direction.
“For example, places like Guangzhou and Jiangmen focus on transforming cultural industries. But if you’re into software, you might consider whether Shenzhen or other cities with strong software development capabilities are a better fit,” Mark remarked.
He also believes that fostering synergies with mainland cities and other countries is crucial to concentrating technological advancements in Hong Kong, enabling the city to establish itself as an international innovation and technology hub. (Image source: Screenshot from the “Tech Innovation Pilot” video)
In fact, within just five years, Hong Kong has nurtured 18 unicorn companies. What advantages and characteristics do innovation and technology enterprises with “Hong Kong DNA” possess? Why have they succeeded? With digital transformation becoming inevitable, what changes will Hong Kong undergo as it achieves “comprehensive new industrialization” by 2035? How can the city ensure an adequate supply of talent to support its innovation and technology development?
To explore these questions further, tune into the interview series Tech Innovation Pilot, presented by Our Hong Kong Foundation and produced by HOY TV. The program features 10 prominent figures from the innovation and technology industry, offering insights into Hong Kong’s innovation landscape and related policy frameworks in an accessible and engaging manner.
Tech Innovation Pilot airs on HOY Information Channel (Channel 78) every Saturday at 10:55 PM starting January 6. It is rebroadcast on Mondays and Fridays at 1:55 PM and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:25 PM. Episodes are also updated simultaneously on the “Contemporary China” website and YouTube channel.
Source：晴報：機械人創業夢成真 青年投身創科之路怎麼走