Hong Kong Startups and Investors

There is an article on technode that talks about why Hong Kong startups are in need of investors.  I believe there are things that ought to be put into the proper perspective.

I don't understand why, but the definition of a startup is generally referred to a technology-related small company by certain people.  To me, a startup is just any small company starting out.  It can be in any industry.  In Hong Kong, the government has a term SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) which says that a non-manufacturing company employing fewer than 50 people is by definition an SME.

Many people see all the big companies (still small compared to those really big multinational companies) today in Hong Kong but they forget that all of these companies had a very humble start.  When we hear their stories, what immediately comes to mind is that these companies were started with creativity and passion, and the initial investment was insignificant.  Here are a number of examples:

The Maxim's Group (美心集團) - It was started by two brothers who were treated badly at a Western restaurant during the British colonial rule in Hong Kong.  They decided to start their own Western-style restaurant for the Hong Kong Chinese.  Today, the Maxim's group of restaurants and its related businesses make over HK$5 billion annually and has operations all over Asia.

Wanchai Ferry Dumplings (灣仔碼頭水餃) - After immigrated to Hong Kong from China, Ms Chong lost her job due to injury.  Using only HK$500, she bought a wooden cart and some ingredients for making dumplings.  She started selling these dumplings to customers as a hawker.  Today, Wanchai Ferry is a well-known international brand with investments from Pillsbury in the USA.

Itamae Sushi (板長壽司)/Itacho Sushi (板前壽司) - Ricky Cheng went to Japan to study as a teenager.  When he returned to Hong Kong, he worked as a tourist guide before deciding to put his knowledge acquired in Japan to start a Japanese restaurant.  Today, his Japanese restaurant chain can be found all over Asia including Japan.

In my opinion, the fundamental entrepreneurship rule holds true whether the company is technology-related or not.  If you are passionate about what you are trying to do, you will figure out ways to survive.