Fall Issue, 2014

HKU graduate Philip Hong, who completed his Master’s degree in Statistics. “We are testing Snapask and collecting data from a school now,” commented Hong, whose main responsibility is encapsulating the app’s market analysis. “So far, we have recruited 25 secondary schools and roughly 6,000 students have installed the app.” “We have about 200 part-time tutors and four full-timers answering questions that students may have.” However promoting paid app services in Hong Kong is not at all easy. As app education is a relatively new concept for local Chinese students, getting subscriptions from them is a challenge. “International students are more receptive to our product mainly because they are more familiar with e-learning,” said Yu. The actual app will be available for downloads in January 2015 and monthly subscriptions will cost about HK$300. “We have an open recruitment for tutors,” said Yu. “But in order to make sure tutors can really handle queries, we will run training programmes. In fact, there will be one held in February 2015.” “I didn’t want my student to miss out so I ended up not charging him. But I know I cannot help everyone in need this way,” said the founder. As a solution-seeker, Yu turned to technology for a more cost-effective business model and an affordable education. His idea was to create Snapask, an app that allows students to ask questions and receive replies from trained tutors within 15 minutes. The pitch quickly won its way into Cyberport’s incubation programme, which offered him a HK$320,000 grant and two years of free office space. According to Yu, there are 130 million students who are not receiving an education worldwide. “Hong Kong is our first stop,” said Yu. “We are eager to make knowledge an abundant resource for all people around the world through technology.” Yu pulled together a team for Snapask in 2013. On board was also HKUAlumni Entrepreneurs Club 香港大學創業校友會 We are a group of budding entrepreneurs, with different professional backgrounds and nationalities, who have come together to build a supportive platform for resource sharing, team building, mutual learning and networking. You will be able to pitch your ideas to get funding, partnerships and support, and join various workshops. ◆ January 17, 2015 : An inauguration at Rayson Huang Theatre, HKU ◆ Bimonthly Entrepreneurs Get-together ◆ Four Pitching Competitions ◆ HKUAEC Bootcamp More at www.HKUaec.org 9 Cover Story