In a world of excessive consumerism, the concept of sharing economy is gaining popularity in social, technological, and travel-related fields. Leveraging on market needs and interpersonal trust, international companies such as Airbnb and Uber claim to provide a niche online marketplace for hospitality and transportation. It is worth noting, that the concept of sharing economy is gradually spreading across the world. In particular, its influence reached Hong Kong.

Over the past decade, there appears to be common grumble around the increasing concentration of population in Hong Kong, and the surging costs of living in ‘Asia’s World City’. According to global academics and market researchers, the city is reportedly ranked as one of the fastest growing startup ecosystem. With the emergence of entrepreneurial culture here in Hong Kong, what are our budding business minds contributing to better allocate local resources? Examples of sharing economy startups include GoGoVan and Gaifong App.

The founders of GoGoVan began as humble students who delivered lunchboxes after school. Through personal experience, they discovered a business opportunity beyond food delivery in the field of transportation. After months of focused effort and market research, GoGoVan is a recipient of the HKICT Award, and continues to bridge together freelance drivers and the community.

The name of Gaifong, meaning ‘neighbour’ in Cantonese, reflects the business model of the app. Prior to founding Gaifong, Elliot Leung was a researcher focused on sustainable development. Discontent with the mismanagement of consumer waste in Hong Kong, Elliot decided to build Gaifong – an online platform that allows neighbours to rent or borrow products directly from neighbours without blind consumption. As of today, the app’s reach expanded from a building to all 18 districts of Hong Kong.

Considering that possibilities for business growth seem limitless, perhaps sharing economy will transcend being only a concept, but become a mainstream way of life.

(Photo & Article: Imago Earth / CreatorMag.HK.)

Some students say that they never miss a university lecture, and some say that real education takes place outside of classrooms. Living in a society that craves constant attention and excitement, is there a way to combine the two viewpoints?

Introduce Raising the Bar (酒堂吧). Originally a New York-based event, Raising the Bar brings education to public places such as beer halls and music venues. Since early 2015, a group of young professionals partnered up with the New York-based organiser, and brought the concept to Asia’s World City. Continuing with the inaugural concept of hosting multiple talks in one night, the local group will attempt to achieve this feat one more time in March 2017. Bringing together academics and citizens to discuss topics from everyday dilemmas to educational values, the local group is currently interviewing pedestrians on the streets and dog-walkers in parks as a pre-launch to the upcoming event in March 2017.

Are you Raising the Bar?

(Photo & Article: Geoff Cheng-Raising the Bar Hong Kong / CreatorMag.HK.)

“I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.” Martin Luther King, Jr once said. Having recently celebrated Chinese New Year and wished prosperity to our friends and families, Dr. King’s words may inspire many of us who are striving for our own dreams in the new year.

Despite having a working population of Africans in Asia, negro culture may seem to be a distant topic to many people in mainland China and in Hong Kong. While Black History Month has become an annual tradition celebrated every February in the United States and in Canada, did you know that International Black History Month is celebrated in Hong Kong?

With the support of social enterprise Global Citizens Community China, the first Hong Kong International Black History Month was celebrated in 2015. Not only does the annual event bring together people from Hong Kong’s black community, who hail from the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the US, the African continent, the celebrations also attracted locals who are interested in popular music and culture on display.

Musical shows, film screenings, and cultural displays are around us in local areas. If interested, look out for more, and perhaps contribute to the community!

(Photo & Article: CNN/Getty Images / CreatorMag.HK.)