The trip to Seoul and Taiwan was an eye-opening journey into the world of Web3.0 entrepreneurship. Touring prestigious institutions, listening to sharings of experts in the Web3.0 industry, and visiting organisations that support start-ups ignited my passion and interest in entrepreneurship, particularly in incorporating Web3.0 elements to create social impact. In the following, I will be sharing some of the highlights of this trip, inspiring moments and thoughts, and my ignited interest in being a social entrepreneur.
One of the most impressive projects I encountered was Gan Le (甘樂文創), which evolved from a small organisation providing after-school care for children, into a corporation that supports tourism, cultural reservation, heritage renovation, education etc. I was inspired by their mission and commitment to their community, as well as their innovative approach to rebranding cultural gems to align with market trends. Their persistence in identifying and solving problems is truly admirable.
Initially focusing on tutoring and taking care of underprivileged children, they recognised that solely providing them after-school activities was not enough, many students struggled and weren’t able to catch up with highschool workload and difficulty, eventually turning to crime again. They then expanded their services to highschool teenagers, providing them vocational training and education, offering programmes that can be transferred to credits for further studies. I was truly impressed by their tailored course content designed for the teenagers, who might not be able to thrive in traditional academic settings. Guiding them to explore their careers as craftsmen, chefs and other professionals, giving them a chance to shine beyond the academic path is very inspiring. It is heartwarming to know that some of the students have become chefs and managers of the shops in Gan Le, showcasing the impact of this project, as a perfect example of an interdisciplinary and innovative approach towards a social issue. They started from identifying a small social issue, then dug deeper and found out there were underlying issues, hence expanded their enterprise from an underprivileged community shelter, to a vocational education institution, and finally to preserving culture of San Xia through tourism and retailing business. It was truly amazing how far they have come. They also introduced the idea that adding meaning to products would be a method to enhance their appeal, such as doubling the price of knives just by repackaging and promotion, emphasising the importance of storytelling in generating revenue for future social enterprises.
This visit inspired me to consider the possibility of borrowing and applying this successful model to Hong Kong. While the situation might be slightly different, cultural extinction is a significant concern in Hong Kong, with tourists often drawn to well-known shopping areas or harbours for the city view. There are a lot of hidden gems in Hong Kong, for example the artistry of cuisine, craftsmanship, entertainment etc., yet to be explored. We can explore the opportunities of rebranding and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Hong Kong, attracting tourists to appreciate the city’s inner beauty.
Another highlight would be the sharing and lunch discussion session in National Taiwan University, especially Dr. Lewis Chang’s insights on incorporating technology of VR/AR into medical training and education. He discussed the potential in expanding the projects to other educational purposes, personalising course content to cater diverse students’ needs and interests, which would be a revolutionary approach in education. Traditional standardised content and examinations might not benefit all students, especially those with special needs. By personalising students’ learning materials, keeping track of their progress and maintaining their engagement in learning through incorporating technological elements could change the educational landscape of Hong Kong, leading to the rapid advancement in the education system. On the other hand, this approach might introduce challenges, such as difficulty in ensuring fairness in student assessments, complicating the current evaluation system. Nonetheless, it is still an enlightening discussion with Dr. Chang, showcasing how we can leverage the technology and knowledge we have, to enhance education for future generations.
I was struck by the vibrant and supportive tech start-up culture in Taiwan and Seoul. The visit to KISED amazed me with the South Korean government’s support for entrepreneurs, and the significant revenue generated by start-ups. The speech by the Managing Director Mr. Doer Youngil Ahn especially moved me. He highlighted the serious issue of population decline due to low birth rate, and how the South Korea Government implemented policies to address this challenge, simultaneously fostering economic growth, attracting foreign talents, killing multiple birds with one stone. I had no idea that nurturing start-ups can lead to substantial contributions to the economy.
At KISED, I discovered opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to receive sponsorship and mentorship by experts, and networking with bright minds from around the globe. The experience exposed me to a wide range of career possibilities, breaking the traditional concept of securing a job after graduation. I realised that I could create my own path, and that funding and resources for social innovation projects are accessible and encouraged by multiple parties, especially in the context of Web3.0.
The entire trip was without a doubt inspiring and exciting, unveiling a new world of opportunities for me to explore. The experiences I’ve shared are among my favourite visits and discussion highlights, but having like-minded peers and supportive mentors alongside me made it exceptional. It was heartwarming to be welcomed by friendly hosts along the way, fostering such a positive environment in which to engage with cutting-edge technology. The experience surely heightened my interest in being a social entrepreneur, especially in utilising Web3.0 technology to drive innovative solutions. This trip is a resounding success and would surely be a collection of memories that I cherish for a lifetime.
