Martina Arroyo-Burton was our Summer intern and helped us to write many of the stories you’ve read over the past few months – we will miss her energy and enthusiasm for the Hong Kong startup scene and asked her to write a few words on her experience and what she saw:
As my time in Hong Kong draws to a close, I realize how much I have enjoyed surrounding myself with Hong Kong’s lifestyle.
As a native New Yorker, I appreciate the resemblance this region has to my hometown. Skyscrapers, efficient public transportation and dense crowds in small spaces are all familiar aspects to me. But just like all cities, Hong Kong has its own identity. In such a contained space, the east and west meet seamlessly, creating an environment that can make any foreigner feel at home.
But one significant difference I have come to acknowledge is the cultural dedication to community. This traditional feature allows many subcultures to grow exponentially, in particularly, the startup scene in Hong Kong. Where else can you encounter an open environment where ideas, backgrounds, skills and knowledge blend effortlessly to create a fertile ground for ingenuity?
The people I’ve met, ideas I’ve heard and enthusiasm I’ve shared with the locals and expats of Hong Kong has opened my eyes to see beyond HK’s known reputation for real estate and finance.
Underneath these layers lie ambitious visions and revolutionary concepts, ideas that are cultivated with the help of like-minded individuals. Steadily growing, this startup community is young, powerful and fearless, with the same potential and (or even better!) future as its immediate competitor, Singapore.
Regardless of what may come, many great things are bound to come out of Hong Kong, as they are already. The foundations of the startup scene are already set, encouraging people to break away from the mold in order pursue their aspirations. With resilience, determination and the strong bonds of a social understanding, I can only imagine success for Hong Kong entrepreneurs.
StartupsHK Team: Thank you Martina, for all your contribution this summer. We wish you all the best in New York and your future endeavours!
