Alumni Entrepreneur Series — From Startup to IPO: 3 Practical Tips to Building a Successful Company


Alumni Entrepreneur Series — From Startup to IPO: 3 Practical Tips to Building a Successful Company


Managing a startup to grow and navigating the multiple funding rounds to go public are some turning points for a successful entrepreneurial journey. Join us for an unfiltered fireside chat with our esteemed guests – Mr. Franz WU, our BBA alumnus and Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of YOHO Group (2347.HK), and Mr. K.O. CHIA, the President of HKVCA Institute, an entity within the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCA) and Advisor to HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund, on what it takes to build a thriving company. They will share their experience on startup ideas, IPO, and challenges at each critical stage of an entrepreneurship journey from the perspectives of both an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist, such as strategies for growth and approaches to raise capital and navigate regulatory hurdles in the ever-changing entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The session will be moderated by Professor Carrie LING, Director of the Entrepreneurship Center at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Speakers

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Mr. Franz WU
Co-founder, Chairman and CEO
YOHO Group
BBA in Economics 2008

Franz co-founded YOHO Group (2347.HK) in 2013 with the vision of revolutionizing the Hong Kong e-commerce industry through the introduction of the online-merge-offline (OMO) business model. Leveraging on its unique OMO model, well-established e-commerce platform and vast customer base, YOHO has grown into the largest e-commerce platform with a primary focus on consumer electronics and home appliances in Hong Kong in terms of traffic and online retail sales of consumer electronics and home appliances. With its enjoyable and seamless shopping experience, YOHO has become a household name in Hong Kong. The company raised US$28 million in several rounds and debuted on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2022.

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Mr. K.O. CHIA
President, HKVCA Institute
Advisor, HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund

Graduated as an electronics engineer, K.O. pivoted early into product management that subsequently led him to career shifts along his 40+ year journey. Consequently, he had diverse experiences as C-suite senior executive at a family office; silicon-valley style U.S. Asia venture capitalist; part of a U.S. technology startup entrepreneurial management team; and U.S. corporate operating executive in the technology and consumer sectors gained across Asia, Europe and U.S. 

He holds an MBA from Strathclyde Business School, Scotland; Postgrad Dip in Management Studies from Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland; and BEng (Hons) from Sheffield University, England.   

He serves as an Advisor to HKUST Entrepreneurship Fund; Advisory Board Member at CUHK School of Continuing Studies; Selection Committee Member of the Maycham Student Trust Scholarship Fund; Founding President of HKVCA Institute; and Senior Advisor to a fintech fund. He is also a Fellow of the HK Institute of Directors; a GlobalScot and is a certified Career Development Facilitator.

Moderator

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Prof. Carrie LING
Director, Entrepreneurship Center
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Prof. Carrie LING is currently the Director of Entrepreneurship Center and the Adjunct Assistant Professor of Integrative Systems & Design (ISD) leading the entrepreneurship development at the HKUST. Before joining HKUST, Prof. Ling was an Associate Director of Business Development (InnoHK) at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). Her role was to drive the commercialization of research projects from InnoHK, a $10B flagship innovation and technology initiative of the HKSAR government, at HK Science Park. She also led the development of the translational research innovation ecosystem by equipping the researchers with entrepreneurial mindset and knowledge.

Prof. Ling is passionate about empowering one’s creativity in science and technology through solving real-life problems and nurturing the next generation entrepreneurs in HK, believing that everyone can be an innovator. When she was a senior lecturer of ISD in 2017-2019, she taught entrepreneurship introductory and healthcare innovation courses for undergraduate students.

Alumni Price
Free
Remarks
  • Due to the venue’s limited capacity, seats are available on a first-come first-served basis.
  • Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email no later than a week prior to the event.
  • Kindly note that photographs will be taken at the event for record and publicity use. By attending this event, you agree your image may be used for these purposes.

Enquiry

Please contact the External & Alumni Relations (EAR) Team of HKUST Business School.

Jul

11

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Jul

11

Date
11.07.2023 - 11.07.2023 (GMT+08:00)
Time

12:30 - 14:00 (HKT)
(Registration starts at 12:00 noon and light lunch will be served)

Venue

HKUST Business School Central (map)

Event Host
HKUST Business School