For the Love of Technology
Welcome back to the Innovative Visions Alumni Entrepreneurship Series, where we bring our alumni’s phenomenal entrepreneurship and innovation stories to you. Next in the series is Bianca HO, BBA in Global Business and Economics (2011), co-founder and COO of Wati.
Strategic Career Shift
Entrepreneurship in the digital age has never been more accessible. “The resources that entrepreneurs need to start a business have significantly decreased,” Bianca remarks, “opening up endless possibilities on a smaller scale.” This vision is what drives Wati. Based on Clare.AI – Bianca’s first AI-enabled chatbot solution for large enterprises – Wati is an affordable software tailored to help small to medium-sized businesses manage their business communications on WhatsApp.
Fuelled by her passion for technology, Bianca took a leap of faith and left her banking job to immerse herself in the startup world. Discover how Bianca leveraged her university experience at HKUST Business School, both in Hong Kong and overseas, to emerge as a prominent entrepreneur for an award-winning startup.
Expanding Horizons with Overseas Experience
At the School, Bianca actively participated in case study courses, honing valuable problem-solving and rigorous analytical skills. These courses equipped her with the tools to manage the daily challenges she encounters as an entrepreneur.
Despite having a busy academic schedule, Bianca remained involved in the School’s international student community. She acquired invaluable knowledge in the global digital ecosystem as a NetMission program ambassador. Additionally, participating in an exchange program in Hungary expanded her global perspective.
Bianca also made a meaningful contribution as part of HKUST's tennis team, where she played doubles and contributed to securing funding for overseas matches with other universities. Her commitment to the team highlighted her altruistic and amiable nature as a team player, where she developed enduring friendships with other students till today.
Acquiring Exposure Through Entrepreneurship Competitions and Beyond
Sharing similar visions and values, Bianca met her co-founder, another HKUST alumni, through a venture capitalist. In the early days, they participated and won various hackathons, incubation programs, and competitions in Hong Kong and abroad, laying the foundation for their business proposition. “These events were a great way for us to experience what it’s like to work together,” said Bianca. “It helped us recognize how we responded to stress individually as we overcame challenges as a team.”
In 2017, Clare.AI came second in the GF Securities Award at the HKUST One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition, helping the team gain industry-wide credibility as they secured Fidelity Hong Kong as their first client.
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Left: Bianca (forth from right) was a part of HKUST's tennis team and appreciated the valuable experience gained in playing double.
Right: Clare.AI received the GF Securities Award in the HKUST 2017 One Million Dollar Entrepreneurship Competition.
Overcoming Business Problems Through Diversity and Inclusion
Business problems often center around people. For Bianca, fostering a strong team spirit is fundamental to Wati’s success. “Everyone’s motivations and thoughts differ. So, it’s important to strike a balance between understanding their desires and creating an optimal work environment.”
Bianca also takes pride in the company’s diverse workforce, with a 60% female executive team and most of the company is remote. As she reflects on the enriching environment that has further moulded her entrepreneurial mindset, Bianca credits her inspiration for building a diverse team partly to the School's culturally diverse student body, which provided her with priceless exposure to various perspectives and cultures.
En Route To Becoming a World-class Startup
Bianca’s entrepreneurial mindset thrives on grit, enabling her to overcome adversity with unwavering determination and passion. “While strategy is important, execution is what truly propels you forward,” Bianca affirms. “Good execution can take you far, and exceptional execution can yield top-notch companies.”
Her current focus is on developing Wati. “Wati has the potential to become a world-class startup. We believe we can create exceptional value to customers. By doing so, we can also generate a valuable outcome for our team as well.”
With such exhilarating times ahead, Wati’s roster of robust investors is a testament to its promising trajectory, propelling Bianca and her team forward as they navigate this thrilling path together.
