It’s one of those lazy nights—a night where cooking seems like an arduous task and even getting up from the couch is a challenge. But you’re hungry and in the mood for a well prepared meal. What can you do? Besides fast food delivery, your options are limited, as most premium restaurants do not offer delivery services.
Gary To Pak Yin saw this lack of service as an opportunity, and created iDelivery Concepts, a platform for those seeking premium restaurant experiences in the comfort of their own home. With convenience and efficiency in mind, Yin connects more people to the varied food environment Hong Kong offers.
We spoke with Gary to learn more about his startup.
How did you come up with this idea?
Business models in old Hong Kong are outdated and this is a new era to start a new chapter fulfilling new demands. I know Online Food delivery businesses have been a great success in other countries, especially in the U.S. Besides, operating costs, in particular that of rent and labor, will continue to stay high for a long term in Hong Kong, so our business model will surely benefit most restaurant operators and is well connected with any end users who are suffering from decreased number of choices in their neighborhoods.
Who are you targeting and how big is the market in HK/Asia?
We are a straightforward business model that fits well into most end users. Again, we are connected with quality restaurant operators that do not offer their own delivery services. In fact, pretty much 90% of restaurant operators in HK do NOT do so due to high costs and their unfamiliarity with running an extra delivery team on top of their daily restaurant operations. We are especially targeting Corporate Groups, which include investment banks, private equity firms and even local hospitals. Anyone who is fed up with ordering Fast Food delivery from mostly US chains and anyone who wants to treat himself quality food, say from Michelin-starred restaurants. The market for Online Food Delivery business is enormous – thanks to the power of internet, which has revolutionized the way people buy almost everything. Moreover, the takeaway industry is worth almost $10 billion in China and more than $75 billion globally.
What are your future plans for your startup?
First and foremost, to develop our Online Ordering platform to a more high-tech level, and to enhance our Smartphone and Tablet Ordering platform. Second, to continue competing with “paper menu” and building up our brand name in our own sector. Third, to expand to Kowloon side and New Territories, after we have successfully launched in Hong Kong Island North and East. Fourth, to continue to attract and affiliate with Hong Kong large restaurant operators. All in all, to dominate our in Hong Kong’s Food Delivery sector, and hopefully we could rise up to another level and compete in China and Southeast Asia in two years’ time.
1 Benefit and 1 Challenge in the HK startup scene?
Personally I have not experienced any benefit in the HK startup scene yet. On the other hand, there are a lot of challenges. Entrepreneurial people in HK often enjoy faster returns more than the process of building up their own business enterprise, so it is not the greatest place for startups. Some might want to succeed here just because they would like to get their names up at where they were originally born. The biggest challenge is, thus, how to get your startup to expand in Hong Kong and develop it instead of being bought or acquired by traditional large enterprises – it would be a tempting challenge when you have an offer on the table, especially for people like me who do not have a sound and solid background.
Any News about iDelivery?
Connect With iDelivery Concepts:
- Website: http://www.idelivery.com.hk/
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ideliverycomhk
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/idelivery
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/idelivery
Connect With Gary To Pak Lin:
- LinkedIn: http://hk.linkedin.com/pub/gary-to/4a/316/b39
- Blog on Startups: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ts-Gary-To-OnStartups/271651302949228
