On October 21, HKUST alumni and tech entrepreneurs – Hans PAUL, Co-Founder & Director of Aigens Technology, and Mark MAK, Co-Founder of Roborn Technology, discussed their experience in the webinar “Disruptive Innovation: "Capturing the Virus, the Technologies, or the Opportunity?”. The webinar was moderated by Prof Sai-Kit YEUNG, Associate Professor in the Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD), and Founder of SKY Optimum Technology.
Although Aigens and Roborn began in the tech startup scene, Hans and Mark followed different routes in their entrepreneurship journeys. While Hans became involved in food ordering technology during his MBA studies at HKUST, Mark’s entrepreneurship endeavors began while he was a HKUST undergraduate. As COVID-19 took over the world, both entrepreneurs identified new opportunities to develop innovative solutions to meet market needs and benefit society.
Hans’ approach to entrepreneurship focused on understanding macro trends and riding on opportunities to develop timely solutions. When he founded Aigens in 2011, Apple had just launched the first generation of iPhones and online shopping wasn’t popular in Hong Kong. Many companies have tried online shopping over the years but failed because consumers preferred going to physical stores. Yet, the pandemic has changed everything almost overnight, giving online shopping and food delivery opportunities to shine.
For Mark, Roborn began as a robotics solutions company. Later on, he saw the potential Roborn could bring to the market by integrating and enhancing robotics with modern technology, including 5G, AI, and cloud technology. Mark’s strategies focused on analyzing current pain points and collaborated with companies in other industries to work on new solutions. At the height of the pandemic in Hong Kong, Roborn developed and deployed several pandemic prevention robots to combat COVID-19 and supported the local healthcare system and other affected industries.
Looking ahead at the unprecedented future, Mark believes that “the new normal’ comes with huge opportunities... However, we also need to identify what a ‘new normal’ is.” He encouraged graduates and students to explore business models to fill new gaps in the “new normal.” Hans also chimed in that “[A] ‘new normal’ means long term…. [It’s] hard to predict but entrepreneurs are observant of what the future can be.”
While COVID-19 has presented many short-term opportunities, startups should focus on building a sustainable business and be observant of current and future market changes.
Click here to view the event recording and stay in touch with us here for more alumni happenings.