FishGuard, the student entrepreneurship team nominated by Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) for the Cyberport University Partnership Programme (CUPP) last year, has successfully gained admission.
During the programme, the four FinTech and one ADS students – Heloise Chung, Hemsley Pang, Hu Chen (Renny), Ken Chung and Lynx Luo – attended nurturing sessions, acquiring in-depth knowledge of virtual assets, AI and business model development. Several start-up alumni founders also took part, giving our students valuable opportunities to interact with them, gain insights from their experiences, and become involved in Hong Kong’s founder ecosystem.
Lynx highlighted that she gained significant insights into the current application of technologies from the lecturers’ workshops. She also learned about project preparation through direct interactions with the invited speakers. Additionally, she acquired practical experience in using AI, which deepened her understanding of its convenience and how individuals should utilise it effectively. Ken suggested that greater emphasis on hands-on workshops and intensive crash courses, together with more time for communication with industry leaders and peers, could prove more beneficial than traditional talks and presentations.
Three representatives were enrolled in the Boot Camp last summer, held at Draper University at Silicon Valley, San Franscico, where they received training and mentorship from start-up founders and industry experts. During the camp, they also visited prominent Silicon Valley companies, including Google and Apple, as well as the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco.
Heloise concluded that the pitching sections taught her to turn ideas into clear, human stories that invite feedback and open opportunities. Connecting with young entrepreneurs also showed her that curiosity and relationships accelerate progress more than perfect plans. Hemsley found her courage by selling books to strangers in San Francisco, pitching repeatedly under pressure, and speaking confidently to judges and mentors. Renny mentioned that the most valuable part of the programme was talking to other founders and openly sharing their startup ideas.
Reflecting on their best memories of the trip, Hemsley mentioned building meaningful connections with top student entrepreneurs, learning directly from successful alumni founders, and receiving practical advice from seasoned investors and mentors. Heloise suggested that what stood out most was how everyone lingered in the lobby after the day’s events to talk and connect. Renny said his best memory was realising that the connections built there did not stop with the programme. Founders continued updating one another on their progress. For him, this enduring sense of community and shared ambition transformed CUPP from a one-off experience into the beginning of a long-term founder network.
Dr Philip Lee, Associate Head of the Department of Economics and Finance and the mentor for the student team, said, “The unprecedented enrolment in the CUPP marks a significant milestone for our university in advancing entrepreneurship training for our students. Completing the CUPP is not an end but a beginning. The students continue to refine their entrepreneurship plans and seek additional seed funding to support their entrepreneurial journey. I find it rewarding to witness their growth throughout the process.”
