Henry LI

From Telecom to Tech: Empowering the Startup Ecosystem at Cyberport
Opportunities are only valuable if you are prepared to seize them. Mr Henry Li, a distinguished alumnus currently serves as the Head of Ecosystem Development at Cyberport, underscoring his profound understanding of this principle. Following his graduation from the Department of Business Administration at Lingnan University in 1999, Henry embarked on his professional journey as a graduate trainee in the telecommunications industry. Through unwavering dedication and perseverance, he ascended the ranks and eventually became a Co-Owner and Assistant Director of Marketing at Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN). Notably, Henry's remarkable career journey includes a pivotal moment when he received an interview invitation from a head hunter, which led to his successful transition to The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC). Subsequently, Henry assumed his current senior management role in Ecosystem Development at Cyberport, where he continues to excel. He emphasizes the importance of attitude when acclimating to a new work environment. "Whether it's your superior or peers, every professional position presents invaluable opportunities for personal growth and learning. Therefore, when embarking on a new professional endeavour, fostering a mindset of continuous learning is important."

Hostel Life and Personal Growth
Henry embarked on a journey to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Lingnan University. As he fondly reflects on his time spent on campus, one aspect shines brightly in his memories—the transformative experience of living in a hostel. Due to ongoing construction of the main hostel in the Tuen Mun campus, temporary accommodation was arranged at Perowne Barracks in So Kwun Wat. In this unique setting, eight male students shared a single room, travelling to campus by school bus daily. Henry encourages his fellow students to seize this valuable opportunity of hostel living, which served as a pivotal stepping stone towards independence, empowering students with the essential skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the real world once they graduated.

Climbing the Ladder in the Telecommunications Industry
Following his graduation from the Department of Business Administration at Lingnan University, Henry embarked on his professional journey in the telecommunications industry, starting as a graduate intern at PCCW. Through his dedication and perseverance, he steadily climbed the ranks, eventually attaining the position of Co-Owner and Assistant Director of Marketing at HKBN before moving on to new opportunities.

Throughout his years in the telecommunications industry, Henry gained diverse experiences across various departments, including residential solutions, sales, logistics, and marketing. It felt like he had changed jobs several times due to the distinct nature of each department's work. Henry fondly shares a few unforgettable experiences. "In the early years of joining HKBN, the company was just beginning to expand, . driven by a vision to make information accessible to all and democratize knowledge. As part of this mission, we tried to coverage networks in public housing estates in areas like Tuen Mun and Kwai Chung. Whenever the company expanded its network coverage to new areas, our team were all thrilled and committed to actively promoting, striving to allow more people to access and enjoy better services. Today, Hong Kong's fixed broadband network infrastructure is amongst the most advanced in the world, I am humbled to have played a part in contributing to this remarkable achievement.

In 2012, HKBN extended an invitation to supervisory and management-level talents, urging them to invest their personal savings in shares and become co-owners of the company. As one of these co-owners, Henry saw this opportunity as a powerful motivator. When the management level assumes the role of co-owners, they adopt a mindset where every expense is treated as their own, fostering increased attentiveness. Henry emphasized, “We push ourselves even harder within our respective departments."

Initially, there were only around fifty co-owners, gradually, the second tier of management joined in and later it’s regularized by HKBN. Over the subsequent years, HKBN experienced rapid development. Henry was particularly impressed by the numerous acquisitions and mergers that took place, which played a pivotal role in his personal growth. He stated, " HKBN aimed to rapidly expand its operations by pursuing mergers and acquisitions, targeting major companies such as New World Telecom, WTT Holding Corp and Jardine OneSolution. The process of mergers and acquisitions was highly challenging, management needed a broad strategic vision to maximize synergies. This entire process provided an excellent opportunity for personal growth and I am grateful to have persevered throughout. "

Embracing Diverse Challenges at Hong Kong Productivity Council
While working in the telecommunications industry, Henry's collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises caught the attention of a head hunter, who invited him to interview for the prestigious position of Chief Marketing Officer at the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC). As he delved into the interview preparation, he discovered that HKPC as a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute, it offers direct and comprehensive resource support to small and medium-sized enterprises. "Reflecting on my experience in the business world, I realized that many of my clients were unaware of the myriad resources available to them. If given the opportunity to engage in marketing at HKPC, I would promote these resources among relevant enterprises enlightening them about the government support available to enhance their business ventures. By engaging expert consultants to navigate technical challenges and optimize their services and products, they could focus on their core operations. My job would be helpful in contributing the assistance providing to the entrepreneurs."

As Henry embarked on the journey with HKPC, he encountered new challenges that extended beyond brand building. he was also responsible to oversee business promotion and corporate communications, which presented a significant learning curve. Over the course of three years, he assisted HKPC  in crafting a fresh brand image, aiming to make it more youthful and relatable to the general public. His efforts were particularly focused on innovative concepts and projects related to youth training. Among these initiatives, one memorable endeavour was organizing "Mass Robot Programming for New World Record” that brought together over 500 students, who set a new Guinness World Record by programming robots simultaneously within the span of just one hour. Henry expressed gratitude to HKPC for providing him with the opportunity to achieve numerous "firsts" . During the pandemic, they ran television and tram advertisements, placed billboards at tunnel entrances and even featured LED screen advertisements in SOGO department store. Their TV advertisement, which featured a cooking pot as a metaphor, emphasized the message of "Make Smart Smarter" and aimed to convey HKPC's image as a youthful, historical and innovative organization. Henry never expected that the advertisement project he and his team worked for HKPC would win an award, leaving a lasting impression on him to this day.

Empowering Startup Ecosystems at Cyberport
After completing a three-year contract with HKPC, Henry was intrigued by a new opportunity that emerged during a gathering with friends—an opening of Cyberport’s ecosystem development. "Securing a middle to senior management position goes beyond mere practical experience; it requires strong management skills and alignment with the company's strategies. During my tenure as a co-owner at HKBN, I prioritized the company's growth. Moreover, my three years of experience at HKPC provided me with the adaptability necessary to thrive in the dynamic Cyberport work environment, setting me apart from candidates transitioning from the business sector. Additionally, my background in marketing has sharpened my communication skills through frequent interactions."

Henry joined Cyberport in October last year and currently holds the position of Head of Ecosystem Development. His key responsibilities include nurturing the growth of startups.. With over 2,000 startups and technology companies, Cyberport provides an ideal platform for Henry's work, primarily focused on external engagement. His role revolves around assisting startups in identifying business prospects and attracting potential investors. "My role involves overseeing four major networks: the Enterprise Network, Investor Network, Technology Network and Professional Service Network. The Enterprise Network centres on establishing connections with large corporations. Small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as startups, often face challenges in entering the supplier lists of these major companies. However, through Cyberport, larger corporations are more inclined providing them with opportunities for 'Proof of Concept', startups can showcase their capabilities. Successful ventures at this stage can proceed to engage in the execution of new projects. The Investor Network is dedicated to identifying suitable investors for startups. We recognize that many startups possess the potential to become unicorns, and we actively support them in finding appropriate investors. In terms of the Technology Network, our affiliated partners offer valuable technical support and training if startups require assistance in leveraging technologies such as AI. Lastly,  Professional Service Network covers financial, legal, and other matters related to startups. For example, when a startup secures investment opportunities for new funds, it involves lots of legal and financial documents and we will offer consulting services. Moreover, we are responsible for driving Cyberport's expansion beyond Hong Kong, with a particular focus on regions like Mainland China, Malaysia and the Middle East. It is a collaborative partnership where we collaborate with external institutions to unlock windows of opportunity for our startups."

Promoting Exploration in the Greater Bay Area: Web3, AI, and Beyond
Web3 and AI have emerged as prominent topics in today's technology industry. According to Henry, Hong Kong had yet to take full advantage of opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a thriving market with a population of 86 million and a staggering GDP of 13 trillion RMB. For students interested in innovation or entrepreneurship but unsure if their concepts are market-ready, he suggests they go to the GBA for a trial. The cost of conducting trials there is relatively low, and if the trial is successful, they can return to Hong Kong or elsewhere for further development. This trial model is adopted by many people. For students who are interested in developing startups in Hong Kong, Henry advises them to prepare AI in advance, as it has become an indispensable asset.

Encouraging Students to Equip Themselves and Seize Interview Opportunities
During the alumni interview, Henry shared some words of encouragement with our junior peers, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and seizing interview opportunities. "Throughout one's life, there are numerous experiences, but when opportunity comes knocking, it won't wait for you. Complaining about the lack of opportunities is futile. Reflecting on my own experience, when I received the interview invitation call from HKPC, I had only two weeks to prepare the interview. If you haven't diligently accumulated work experience on a regular basis, strived for self-improvement, there's simply no way to excel in interview preparation within a short timeframe. Opportunities require patience, and when they finally arrive, you must showcase your best self."

He urged the students to prepare diligently before interviews approach them with the right and professional mindset.. "For example, if you're interviewing at a listed company, have you dedicated time to review their past 3-years’ annual reports? Make note of relevant significant points and figures? If it were me. , I would also consider the performance of their competitors, even industry information beyond Hong Kong. From my interviewing experience, I've noticed that only about 20-30% of candidates truly do their homework and analyse the data, while the rest seem to rely on luck. I don't expect candidates to understand the company better than I do, I do appreciate earnestness and a strong foundational knowledge."

Additionally, Henry's team occasionally assists startups with their recruitment processes, and he suggested that students consider the opportunities within startup companies. Many startup founders are energetic, eager to interact and share knowledge with others. . Compare to traditional enterprises, the working environment in startups offers more freedom for development compared to traditional enterprises and is closely attuned to market trends. Startups may offer a better career launchpad for youngsters.