From Entrepreneurship to Further Study: The Self-Iteration Journey of an Industry Pioneer

On June 19, 2025, the University of Hong Kong hosted an engaging dialogue. As a student in the PhD program at the University of Hong Kong, a founder of a well-known company engaged in an in-depth exchange with the CEO of a tech company. This founder shared his motivation for returning to campus for further study, the strategic layouts of different companies, and his unique insights into the cryptocurrency financial market in Hong Kong.

Systematic twenty years of entrepreneurial experience

In 2024, the founder officially entered the doctoral program at the University of Hong Kong, coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of his entrepreneurial journey. Reflecting on his startup beginnings in 2004 and dropping out of school in 2005 to pursue entrepreneurship, he admitted that he had been deeply immersed in entrepreneurship and investment for the past twenty years, with little opportunity for systematic thinking. 2024 became a key milestone, and he hoped to transform his twenty years of entrepreneurial and investment experience into a systematic, reusable knowledge framework through the doctoral program.

"My goal is to distill my practical experiences in entrepreneurship and investment into a methodology, transforming it into a structured tool that I and my colleagues can use." He stated that this is not only a personal pursuit of knowledge but also a reflection and sublimation of past experiences. He hopes to organize a replicable knowledge system through an academic perspective to provide guidance for future entrepreneurship and investment.

Strategic Transformation from the Cryptocurrency Sector to New Technologies

As a co-founder of a well-known cryptocurrency company, this entrepreneur's influence in the crypto space is considerable. However, his newly established company demonstrates a more diverse strategic vision. In the conversation, he elaborated on the differences in positioning, structure, and business direction between the old and new companies.

The company he previously co-founded operates as a primary market fund, adopting a traditional 5+2 investment cycle. The pressure for returns from external limited partners creates limitations when supporting long-term projects. "Some projects may take 8 years, 10 years, or even longer to succeed, and the traditional investment cycle is difficult to fully match," he explained. The role of the company is more like a "selector" or "referee."

In contrast, his newly established company resembles a joint family office, with the main funding coming from the founder and his core shareholders. This structure provides the company with greater flexibility, without the pressure of short-term returns, allowing it to accompany entrepreneurs from a longer-term perspective. "Our funding is relatively long-term, whether it’s three years, five years, or ten years, it doesn’t matter." He emphasized that the goal of the new company is to be an "accompanying runner" for entrepreneurs.

His previous company's investment portfolio was 100% focused on the cryptocurrency sector, while the new company's strategy is more diversified. He revealed that the investment focus of the new company has shifted to AI, with cryptocurrency projects accounting for only a small part of its portfolio. The new company focuses on AI application layers, particularly projects that can generate cash flow, improve efficiency, or optimize processes.

"We do not invest in computing power or large models, because with our funding scale and resources in North America, we cannot support the corresponding investment in those areas." He admitted that the new company is more focused on the practical application of AI in real scenarios, such as AI security, AI talent recruitment, AI taxation, and financial tools. These projects aim for "simple efficiency improvement," closely aligned with market demand, and are intended to capture the best returns during the AI explosion period.

Hong Kong: A Strategic Hub for Crypto Finance

As a leader in the cryptocurrency industry, this founder is confident about the layout of the Hong Kong market. He believes that Hong Kong, as a "gateway" connecting the mainland with the world, has unique advantages in terms of geographical location and policy environment. In recent years, Hong Kong has launched a series of friendly policies, including a regulatory framework for stablecoins and talent introduction programs, attracting the attention of global blockchain companies and talents.

"The legislation related to cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong surpasses that of the United States in terms of advancement and enforceability," he commented. He pointed out that Hong Kong's stablecoin policy provides a clear compliance path for industry innovation and, combined with its international advantages, is expected to foster new business models.

The team he belongs to has already established a presence in Hong Kong through a publicly listed company in 2022, and currently has offices and is actively applying for relevant licenses. Among them, the financial custody business is the core business direction of the new company in Hong Kong. He believes that, combined with Hong Kong's stablecoin policy, the custody business is expected to give rise to better business models, injecting new vitality into the crypto financial market.

Conclusion

From twenty years of hard work in entrepreneurship to returning to school for systematic further education, this industry leader has demonstrated an unwavering pursuit of self-iteration. From founding a cryptocurrency investment company to establishing a diversified investment group, he has expanded his vision from the crypto field to AI application layers, supporting entrepreneurs with a long-term companionship perspective. At the same time, as an active participant in the construction of the Hong Kong crypto market, his insights into local policies and business layout provide important references for the industry. "Keeping learning and embracing change is essential to continuously stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry." This may be the most sincere advice given by this industry veteran.