How Hong Kong design incubator has helped start-ups turn ideas into viable businesses
Two-year incubation programme run by Hong Kong Design Centre has helped more than 200 start-ups in its 11 years, and this year added a fashion-focused incubator. We’re investing in the city’s future, its executive director says
When Hong Kong couple Roy Lo and Coby Or got married several years ago, they created an augmented reality (AR) feature for their wedding invitations to better connect with their guests. Recipients could point their phone at the invitation cards and an augmented reality image would appear on the screen.
“Invitations went out, people loved it and wanted us to do it for them,” says Lo. “We wondered if it was a business opportunity.”
Both had full-time jobs at the time, but Or was convinced they were on to something. They founded Creote Studio and began marketing their AR services at wedding expos. Working with bridal shops and photographers, they also partnered with hotels to include AR invitations in wedding packages. “It was an encouraging start,” says Lo, “especially as a two-person team.”
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As the AR and virtual reality industry took off, a variety of projects rolled in but the fledgling company struggled to take flight. “We were still working at home and there were a lot of distractions,” recalls Lo.