Startups with enterprise

Startups for empowerment

Startup companies in the sports and fitness sector supported by HKFYG’s Social Innovation Centre (SIC) have been working together towards common goals during the pandemic and they will be offering some running-themed events for the second half of this year.

R-aces and Sports Brand: partners for running

Despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, R-aces and other startups supported by HKFYG’s SIC, offered a silver lining that was all to do with fitness, online running, hiking and relay events as well as a basic running training course and a meeting of Metaverse Characters fans. Apart from raising revenue, the aim was to attract teenagers and fans who were not yet runners and help them get off to a good start.

Highlights from 2021

• Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Hikeathon and Treasure Hunt • Ocean Park Conservation Foundation

Charity Relay Challenge • Minions Run Hong Kong

November 2022: Running Training Course (Basic Level)

Pre-race training jointly hosted by R-aces and Decathlon. Stephen Poon, Level 1 coach of the Hong Kong Triathlon Association, will be providing expert tips for all runners on this course at Decathlon and Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. It will enable runners aged 12 upwards to design individual training plans to suit themselves and avoid injury. Proper running posture and training plan design as well as circuit training for improving allround fitness will be part of the four-session course in November this year. New runners can learn basic running techniques while experienced runners can get professional advice and programmes that help brush up skills.

End of December 2022: Minions Run Hong Kong

Celebrating the release of Minions: The Rise of Gru, the design of our runner’s pack for this event will include the cutest elements from the newest film. The upcoming computer-animated comedy film is bound to become a top favourite and the themed running gear will be a must-have for all Minions fans. More details minionsrun.hk/

Coming up in 2022

All of the planned events for early 2022 were postponed or cancelled because of the fifth wave of the pandemic. In the second half of 2022, we look forward to several themed running events including Kanahei’s Small Animals Bun Fun Run 2022@Hong Kong in early November. Young entrepreneurs from the Vivacity startup will also be creating a Running Metaverse while R-aces will introduce more character-themed runs to encourage teenagers to get out and start running. More details ksarun.hk

Nelson Mandela

The profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others.

“We are different so that we can know our need of one another, for no one is ultimately self-sufficient,”

Desmond Tutu

Wubuntu: a Hong Kong / Cape Town Startup

This startup’s goal is to promote intercultural awareness and close the cultural gap between Africa and Asia. Jointly incubated jointly by HKFYG, the Education University of Hong Kong and the University of Cape Town, Wubuntu was co-founded by two young Hong Kong people.

Co-founders Tian Chen and Joseph Lam say, “Wubuntu drives Africa-Asia intercultural empowerment according to the South African concept of ‘ubuntu’ which means unity in diversity.” Its flagship products include Africa-Asia internship and career programmes whereby students from Asia participate in intercultural training programmes and are given placements with African organizations where they work either virtually or in-person for eight to ten weeks. Themed online courses focus on Africa’s diverse cultures and include topics that vary from nature and health to heritage and developmental economics. An Africa-Asia anthropology field school engages students in intercultural experiences and a language and cultural immersion programme with study tour enhances students’ communication skills during on-the-ground exchange sessions. Client institutions include the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and Baptist University of Hong Kong as well as individual clients in mainland China. The founders quote Matshona Dhliwayo, a Zimbabwean-born and Canadian-based writer and entrepreneur as their inspiration, “Rise in your mind, in your heart, in your soul, and you will rise in your world.” They say Wubuntu’s rise comes as Africa and Asia both rise. With bases in both Hong Kong and Cape Town, it is also proactive in promoting Asian cultures on the African continent and collaborating with international organizations and events such as the Chinese Language Festival, Anthropology Southern Africa and Milan Design Week. Wubuntu is on WeChat Channel, Weibo and Bilibili More details wubuntuafrica.com Follow on LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/wubuntu

Young Startup Pioneers in the GBA: a “We Venture” project

Rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is bringing many opportunities especially in entrepreneurship. Falling in line with this, a “We Venture” project is being organized by HKFYG under the umbrella of Youth Development Commission (YDC) funding schemes in the GBA with partnership from the Youth Development Fund (YDF) of the Home Affairs Bureau and the YDC.

The programme aims to encourage and support youth entrepreneurship, providing funding of up to HK$600,000. This includes a HK$120,000 interestfree loan provided by HKFYG and a HK$480,000 grant provided by YDF. Other support for startups includes business training, mentorships, consultations and networking opportunities with various GBA startup hubs and a one year free hot-desk in co-working space.

HKFYG’s Social Innovation Centre

support includes funding and hands-on incubation training as well as consultations for business development. HKFYG also offers practical guidance in the form of mentorship and both financial and legal advisory consultations once the business was fully operational.