Social Entrepreneur – Richard Leung (left) and Brian Lam (right) Elderly people face the risk of severe injuries if they fall when they are alone. Prompted by a fall accident his sister experienced during a cancer battle, Richard Leung spent two years partnering with designer Brian Lam to develop STICKu the smart cane, wishing to remove the stigma associated with canes that they are only for the old and weak. The smart cane is equipped with location positioning and several emergency support functions. For instance, an alert message will be sent to the caretaker once the emergency button near the end of the handle is pressed. An alarm will be turned on to draw the attention of passers-by when the smart cane is left unattended on the ground for over 15 seconds. STICKu escort the unaccompanied elderly to minimise possible injuries.   Innovative Venture - STICKu The innovative venture mentioned above is funded by the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund and assisted and supported by the Fund’s intermediaries in project implementation.  The details of the innovative venture are as follows: Name of Organisation: BNET-Tech Company Limited Service nature: Transport Beneficiary group: Elderly Project type: Start-up Intermediary Programme: Impact Incubator   The upcoming transport story will introduce a social entrepreneur who roll to a beach with a specially designed beach-wheelchair, stay tuned! What is Social Entrepreneur Series? Stories of how other social entrepreneurs aspired to start their own business might facilitate your social innovation and entrepreneurship exploration. A series of social entrepreneur stories will be featured and categorised into six sub-series: Education and Learning, Job Training and Opportunities, Community Participation, Healthcare, Food and Transport.  What you are going to read are stories of social entrepreneurs taking forward the startup projects that help themselves and others.

Team Tech-kle, 1st runner up of the Outlier CSV Challenge 2021 Online learning has become a new normal amid the COVID-19, yet the visually impaired (VI) community has been overlooked. Tech-kle, the 1st runner up team of the Outlier CSV Challenge 2021, assisted VI students in online learning by revamping the existing screen reader designs with three additional features: real-time controls, review logs, and smart filtering. Invite the judges to close their eyes before starting the pitch... Yannes Kwok and Anson Chan, team members of Tech-kle, shared some tips for pitching in the video. For example, at the beginning of their presentation, they invited the judges to close their eyes to immerse themselves in the problems faced by the VI students. Watch the interview video below for more tips on pitching from Tech-kle! Early this year, AIESEC, an international student organisation, has held the Outlier CSV Challenge 2021 with the support from the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund). Students from different tertiary institutions worked in teams to hack profitable yet socially impactful business models to tackle social issues in Hong Kong. We have interviewed with the three winning teams of the Outlier CSV Challenge to understand how they won the cash prizes and internship opportunities with creativity!

Team Uplift, Champion of the Outlier CSV Challenge 2021 Team Uplift, the Champion of the Outlier CSV Challenge 2021, wished to improve the well-being of students. The team suggested to provide a mental health related training programme for school staff, and to develop a emotion-tracking app “MotiMe” for students to record their mental health journey. The journey begins from the experience of a team member... One of the members of team Uplift had suffered from emotional disorder. Motivated by their peer’s experience, team Uplift developed their solution to help other students in need. Janice Chin and Sarah Lai, who were interviewed by Youth.gov.hk, said that their passion towards the competition and support from other team members had brought team Uplift success! Watch the interview video below for more about team Uplift’s experience and tips for competitions! Early this year, AIESEC, an international student organisation, has held the Outlier CSV Challenge 2021 with support from the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund). Students from different tertiary institutions worked in teams to hack profitable yet socially impactful business models to tackle social issues in Hong Kong. We have interviewed with the three winning teams of the Outlier CSV Challenge to understand how they won the cash prizes and internship opportunities with creativity!

“Start your own business at younger ages if you are passionate about it.” Gradient Brewery is a local craft beer brand which has a retail store in Sai Yun Pun. It also supplies craft beers to local restaurants and retail stores. Samson, co-founder of Gradient Brewery, is the brewer and the marketer of the brand. He had planned to develop overseas markets when he founded the Brewery. Nevertheless, the business sales plunged due to COVID-19 and there was insufficient cash flow for expansion. Samson and other co-founders had little time to rest, not to mention a halt in their income for more than half a year. Yet, with confidence, perseverance and funding support, Gradient Brewery has overcome its challenges. Let’s watch the video below to learn more about Samson’s entrepreneurial story. (The video is broadcasted in Cantonese)   The project is launched with the support from The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups “Youth Business Hong Kong” scheme. The scheme provides financial and other practical supports to young people to attain their goals. Please visit the official website for more details on application.

“There is a chance if you try and none if you don’t.” Mickey is a cosplay lover. He noticed that the cosplay culture lacked popularity in Hong Kong and decided to start a business in the field. With the support from his family, he founded the “Cos&Play Studio” to organise regular programmes and activities on cosplay costumes and props making. The Studio also provides a space for networking and workshop rental. Mickey believes that it is essential for an entrepreneur to have faith and step forward to realise one’s dream without hesitation. Let’s watch the video below to learn more about Mickey’s entrepreneurial story. (The video is broadcasted in Cantonese)   The project is launched with the support from The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups “Youth Business Hong Kong” scheme. The scheme provides financial and other practical supports to young people to attain their goals. Please visit the official website for more details on application.

Social Entrepreneur – Max Cheng (left) and Johnny Lo (right)   Max has a lifelong affinity with incense. He had seen his family burning incense in religious rituals since he was a child. In his teenage years, he produced art pieces with incense sticks. He majored in visual arts at university and used incense in his final year project. Inspired by a professor, he went on to launch his own hand-made incense brand. Initially, he focused on making traditional incense sticks but the business was lagging. Prompted by his girlfriend, he started to use cookie-cutters to make incense of different shapes such as leaves and flowers. Sales soon picked up. The success encouraged Max to explore new possibilities. He visited different places in search of new ingredients and more sophisticated skills. By adding different scents and spices to hand-made incense sticks, Max created beautiful yet practical items for daily use. As his career took off, Max wanted to contribute more to society. He partnered with Johnny to set up the social enterprise Lin Heung House. The two founders provide training in incense making and job opportunities of workshop assistants for young and adult women of diverse race. While earning an additional income, the women can also showcase their talent and boost their self-confidence. Yet there are obstacles in recruitment. Some are reluctant to show their faces in public due to religious or family reasons. So Max assigns them to work in different supporting roles. Max believes many women of diverse race in Hong Kong are talented and capable. Some are good at henna painting, others making spiced tea and weaving. Yet, they lack opportunities to shine. Max says he is not offering assistance but collaborating with people of diverse race by drawing on their expertise.   Innovative Venture – Lin Heung House – Connecting the Community with Scent The innovative venture mentioned above is funded by the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund and assisted and supported by the Fund’s intermediaries in project implementation.  The details of the innovative venture are as follows: Name of Organisation: Lin Heung House Service nature: Job training and opportunities Beneficiary group: People of diverse race Project type: Prototype Intermediary Programme: Good Seed What is Social Entrepreneur Series? Stories of how other social entrepreneurs aspired to start their own business might facilitate your social innovation and entrepreneurship exploration. A series of social entrepreneur stories will be featured and categorised into six sub-series: Education and Learning, Job Training and Opportunities, Community Participation, Healthcare, Food and Transport.  What you are going to read are stories of social entrepreneurs taking forward the startup projects that help themselves and others.

Years ago, Cecilia Ho was a painter who indulged in her creative work and seldom interacted with others.  Things changed after an occasion of voluntary mural painting work for elderly and a task of curating a community visual art exhibition. She realised that art is more than a solitary act of creation. It can also go into the community to connect with people and spread happiness… Social Entrepreneur - Cecilia Ho Cecilia then initiated innovative ventures “Art Muraler” and “Bling”, which bring young people, including the unemployed or rehabilitated, to various communities to decorate homes for the elderly and spread joy with colour. Cecilia is most impressed when she sees how these youngsters reach out to the community and show compassion and care as they collaborate with the disadvantaged. They remain cheerful and energetic after a day of mural painting under the sun while finding confidence and satisfaction from art. Youth find their self-worth in art.   Innovative Venture - Art Muraler / Bling The innovative venture mentioned above is funded by the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund and assisted and supported by the Fund’s intermediaries in project implementation.  The details of the innovative venture are as follows: Name of Organisation: 2Bliss Studio Limited Service nature: Job Training and Opportunities Beneficiary group: Children and Youth Project type: Prototype / Start-up Intermediary Programme: Impact Incubator   The Community Participation story "South Asian sport that connects" introduced the social entrepreneurs who promote a popular South Asian sport to help break language barriers and facilitate cultural exchange. Read on and find out more! What is Social Entrepreneur Series? Stories of how other social entrepreneurs aspired to start their own business might facilitate your social innovation and entrepreneurship exploration. A series of social entrepreneur stories will be featured and categorised into six sub-series: Education and Learning, Job Training and Opportunities, Community Participation, Healthcare, Food and Transport.  What you are going to read are stories of social entrepreneurs taking forward the startup projects that help themselves and others.

You would never miss to set up a “body” to house your innovative business ideas.  The very first baby step to grow your business is definitely to incorporate a company.  To start a business in Hong Kong, you may first consider your preferred scale, sector and ownership mode of business and choose a suitable form of business entity.  There are many companies offering comprehensive company registration service.  However, you can also save cost by filing the registration yourself.  Start it up easily with a 1-2-3!   1 |   Think Twice the Type and Name of Company  The liability of every member of a company limited by shares differs from that of a company limited by guarantee.  Company members should well understand their liability in a company and choose the type of company that suits them the best.   Before choosing a company name, you should go through the Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies for the point to note and conduct a company name search through Cyber Search Centre service provided by the Companies Registry to avoid using a name used by another company, which may render your application being rejected.  Another search in the Trademark Register maintained by the Intellectual Property Department should also be conducted to prevent infringement of intellectual property rights.  2 |   Get Ready for Application After reaching a consensus, you should get ready the signed incorporation form, a copy of the company's articles of association and a Notice to Business Registration Office.  Bring along the application fee (HK$1,720) and correct business registration fee and levy to the shroff on the 14th floor of the Queensway Government Offices for lodging the application. The Companies Registry also accepts application through their electronic filing service, the e-Registry. Founding members and directors should register as individual users to sign the e-incorporation form with their digital certificate or password and submit thereafter. 3 |   Get the Certificate and Kick Off! You will receive a notification to download or collect the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate if your application is approved, meaning that you have already incorporated your new company.  If you have filed electronic application, certificates in electronic form will normally be issued within 1 hour via email. For applicant who filed hard copy application, certificates in hard copy form will normally be issued within 4 working days and the presentor will be notified by fax or other means.   If you wish to obtain more information about incorporation of local limited company, you may refer to the website of Companies Registry. Setting up a new company is just the beginning of building your business.  To get away from any violation of laws, you are always reminded to spend time on studying the roles and duties of a member or a director of the company.  You should also apply for licences relevant to your business operations.  It is no bed of roses managing a company!  “Startup How-tos” is an introductory guidebook written for entrepreneurship newbies, providing startup tips and related public services information.

Application for various licences is one of the essential preparations for starting a new business. See the information below of some basic licences required: 1. Registration of a New Company A new company is required to complete its company registration at the Companies Registry and obtain a Certificate of Incorporation. The legal liability varies among different types of companies. For example, a limited company must comply with the various provisions in the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622 of the Laws of Hong Kong) which include the timely disclosure and reporting of specified information about the company, its officers and shareholders, etc. and any changes in such information to the Registrar of Companies so that members of the public can have ready access to the latest information of the company kept by the Registrar of Companies. It simply takes three steps and HK$1720 to register a new company. You may choose to submit you application either electronically through our "e-Registry" or by delivering the documents in hard copy to the CR with the correct fees. Please refer to the website of Companies Registry or Incorporation of a Local Limited Company for further information. 2. Business Registration The Business Registration Ordinance requires every person who carries on a business in Hong Kong to apply for business registration within 1 month from the date of commencement of the business, and to display a valid Business Registration Certificate at the place of business. Under the one-stop company and business registration service, you will be deemed to have made a business registration application at the same time you deliver an application for incorporation of a local company or an application for registration of a non-Hong Kong company. The Companies Registry will issue the Certificate of Incorporation (or the Certificate of Registration of Non-Hong Kong Company) and the Business Registration Certificate in one go if the application is successful. Other businesses have to register with the Inland Revenue Department within one month of business commencement. Check out the website of Inland Revenue Department for further information and fees on Businesses Registration. 3. Particular Business Licence You may need particular licences, permits, certificates and approvals from the Government to start your business operations at individual fields in Hong Kong, for example catering, construction and finance. You may try the Business Licence Information Service to acquire online the kinds of licences you need to operate your business. If you have already made a licence application, you can make use of the Licence Application Tracking Facility to check the application status online. GovHK also provides access to detailed information regarding restaurant licensing, telecommunications licences, environmental permits and licences, etc.   Source: Companies Registry, Inland Revenue Department, Business Licence Information Service, Licence Application Tracking Facility, GovHK   “Startup How-tos” is an introductory guidebook written for entrepreneurship newbies, providing startup tips and related public services information.

You may come across with various legal matters, such as company registration, licensing, and Labour Legislation, during your entrepreneurship journey. To aviod possible labour disputes, we have gathered ten questions and answers regarding labour legislation for entrepreneurs: 1. Q: Are “temporary”, “part-time” and “substituted” employees covered by the Employment Ordinance? A: The Employment Ordinance does not differentiate between “temporary”, “part-time”, “substituted”, “permanent” and “full-time” employees. All employees covered by the Employment Ordinance, irrespective of their designated job titles or working hours, are entitled to statutory rights and protection such as wage payment, restriction on deductions from wages and granting of statutory holidays, etc. An employee who has been employed continuously by the same employer for four weeks or more, with at least 18 hours worked in each week is further entitled to rights such as rest days, annual leave with pay and sickness allowance, etc. (Click here to see the leaflet on “part-time employment”.) 2. Q: Which kind of employment contract, written or verbal, provides employers and employees with better protection? A: Under the Employment Ordinance, a contract of employment can be made orally or in writing. Employees’ rights and benefits are protected under the Ordinance irrespective of whether the employment contract is made verbally or in writing. The use of written employment contract may help employees better understand the terms of their employment, remind both employers and employees of their contractual obligations. Please see the Sample Employment Contract prepared by the Labour Department for your reference. 3. Q: How is minimum wage computed? A: Minimum wage = Total number of hours worked by the employee in the wage period × SMW rate (i.e. $37.5 per hour) 4. Q: What will be the consequences if an employer fails to pay wages on time? A: Wages should be paid not later than 7 days from the end of the wage period. An employer who fails to pay wages to an employee within 7 days after they become due is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a fine of HK$350,000 and to imprisonment for three years. 5. Q: Can an employer compel an employee to work 7 days in a week without granting him any rest days? A: No. An employee employed under a continuous contract is entitled to one rest day in every period of seven days. 6. Q: Should rest days be with pay or without pay? A: This term is to be agreed between an employer and an employee. 7. Q: Under what circumstances is an employee entitled to sickness allowance? A: An employee employed under a continuous contract is entitled to sickness allowance if: the sick leave taken is not less than four consecutive days (unless for any day off taken by a female employee for her pregnancy check-ups, post confinement medical treatment or miscarriage, any such day on which she is absent shall be counted as a sickness day and, subject to the following conditions, be paid sickness allowance); the sick leave is supported by an appropriate medical certificate*; and the employee has accumulated sufficient number of paid sickness days (Please read here for how the paid sickness days be accumulated) 8. Q: Can an employer make payment to an employee in lieu of annual leave? A: An employer should not include in an employment contract a term to forego all or any of his employee's annual leave entitlement, including payment of wages in lieu of any annual leave days. However, the law allows an employee to choose to accept payment in lieu of that part of his leave entitlement which exceeds 10 days. 9. Q: Can an employer require an employee to work on statutory holidays? A: Yes. An employer is required to give his employee at least 48 hours' prior notice for work on a statutory holiday. The employer must then arrange an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday. 10. Q: Are employers obliged to take out employees' compensation insurance policies for all employees? A: According to section 40 of the Ordinance, no employer shall employ any employee in any employment unless there is in force a policy of insurance to cover his liabilities under the laws (including the common law) for injuries at work in respect of all his employees, irrespective of the length of employment contract or working hours, full-time or part-time employment. An employer who fails to comply with the Ordinance to secure an insurance cover is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.   For further information on Labour Legislation, please refer to Frequently Ask Questions of the Labour Department.   Source: Labour Department “Startup How-tos” is an introductory guidebook written for entrepreneurship newbies, providing startup tips and related public services information.

Is your startup going to recruit and prepare for launch? Let’s go through the seven common questions below and learn about the points to note when you are hiring and handling personal data.   1. How to ensure that the job seeker is lawfully employable? The law requires an employer to take all practical steps to ensure that the job seeker is lawfully employable. If the job seeker is not holding a Hong Kong permanent identity card, the law requires an employer to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document. 2. Can an employer collect copies of the identity cards of job applicants? Generally speaking, an employer must not collect a copy of the identity card of a job applicant during the recruitment process unless and until the individual has accepted an offer of employment. 3. Under what circumstances  can  job  applicants  be  asked  in  a  recruitment  advertisement  to  submit personal data? An  employer  or  recruitment  agency  who  clearly  indicates  its  identity  may  ask  job  applicants  to  submit  personal  data  in  a  recruitment  advertisement,  provided  that  the  data  is  adequate  but  not  excessive  in  relation  to the purpose of recruitment and is to be used lawfully. 4. Can an employer directly solicit personal data from job applicants if it merely uses its company email address, telephone number or fax number as a means of identifying itself in a recruitment advertisement? No. A company email address, telephone number or fax number by itself is generally not considered to be sufficient identification of the employer. If the employer does not wish to disclose its identity, it may simply provide a telephone number in the advertisement and indicate that the applicants can make further enquiries before submitting any personal data. 5. Should an employer provide, within a recruitment advertisement, a statement regarding the purpose for which the personal data submitted by job applicants will be used? Recruitment advertisements that directly ask job applicants to provide their personal data should include a statement, as an integral part of the advertisement, informing applicants about the purposes for which their personal data are to be used. Here is an example of such statement: "Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only". 6. How long is an employer allowed to keep the personal data of unsuccessful job applicants? Personal data of unsuccessful applicants (for future recruitment purposes) can be retained for a period of up to two years from the date of rejecting the applicants, and must then be destroyed. 7. Must we obtain consent from an employee or ex-employee before giving an employment reference to another employer? Yes, you should obtain the prescribed consent from an employee or ex-employee (preferably in writing) as disclosure of the employee’s records (including performance assessment) to another person would constitute to a change in the purpose of use of the data.   Source:  The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong - Understanding the Code of Practice on Human Resource Management Frequently Asked Questions About Recruitment Advertisements , Immigration Department “Startup How-tos” is an introductory guidebook written for entrepreneurship newbies, providing startup tips and related public services information.