Dr. Marta Dowejko, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), emphasizes that mentorship is the most crucial element for startup success in Hong Kong. Her approach integrates practical experience with academic theory, encouraging students and entrepreneurs to engage directly with real-world challenges, including interactions with mentors, investors, and industry veterans[1][6].
Mentors provide startups with invaluable guidance, industry insights, and networking opportunities that are often not accessible through formal education alone. This mentorship acts as “rocket fuel” for startups, helping transform brilliant ideas into sustainable, impactful businesses by sharing seasoned wisdom and practical advice[6]. Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem benefits significantly from mentorship programs offered by institutions like HKBU and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), which connect emerging entrepreneurs with experienced professionals who can help navigate business challenges and growth strategies[3][7].
Moreover, mentorship complements other ecosystem supports such as accelerators, incubators, and venture capital by providing personalized coaching and critical feedback, which are essential for early-stage startups to refine their business models and scale effectively[2][8]. Dr. Dowejko’s research also highlights a gap in entrepreneurial mentoring within the Greater Bay Area, underscoring the need to build mentoring capacity to sustain and grow the ecosystem[5].
In summary, mentorship in Hong Kong serves as a cornerstone for entrepreneurial success by:
- Providing real-world experience and practical guidance beyond classroom learning.
- Offering critical networking channels to industry leaders and investors.
- Enhancing startups’ ability to navigate market challenges and accelerate growth.
- Bridging gaps in entrepreneurial support across the regional ecosystem.
This focus on mentorship, championed by experts like Dr. Dowejko, is vital for unlocking the full potential of Hong Kong’s vibrant startup scene and fostering a robust, innovation-driven economy[1][6][7].
Citations:
[1] Dr. Marta Dowejko 著重實踐：「要讓學生置身現實水深火熱之中」 https://www.jessicahk.com/work/trailblazers/marta-dowejko-hkbu-eic-creative-educator2
[2] Startup Ecosystem In Hong Kong | Eqvista https://eqvista.com/startup-fundraising/hong-kongs-startup-ecosystem/
[3] Peter Mok: HKSTP promotes start-up entrepreneurial culture https://cgcc.org.hk/en/temp_publication.php?sid=72&tid=0&tabid=0&id=99&cpid=117
[4] [PDF] Building Hong Kong as a Cradle for Successful Entrepreneurship https://www.ent-fund.org/uploads/doc/full_report2024.pdf
[5] [PDF] Research Assessment Exercise 2020 Impact Case Study University https://www.ugc.edu.hk/doc/eng/ugc/rae/2020/im/uoa22/uoa22_hkbu_impact_case_study_002.pdf
[6] HKBU School of Business Hosts Successful Startup Mentoring … https://bus.hkbu.edu.hk/news-events/news-achievements/2025/HKBU-School-of-Business-Hosts-Successful-Startup-Mentoring-Forum-Energising-the-GBA-Entrepreneurial-Ecosystem.html
[7] Mentorship – Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation https://www.hkstp.org/en/programmes/mentorship
[8] Hong Kong Start-up Environment and its Latest Trends https://mybusiness-asia.com/news-insights/hong-kong-start-up-environment-and-its-latest-trends/
[9] Hong Kong startups: Guide to start your business, account opening … https://www.airwallex.com/hk/blog/startups-guide
[10] Booming Startup Ecosystem Signals Bright Future for Hong Kong … https://mba.cuhk.edu.hk/booming-startup-ecosystem-signals-bright-future-for-hong-kong-entrepreneurs/
[11] Case Study | RAE 2020 Impact Case Studies https://impact.ugc.edu.hk/case-study/uoa22-hkbu-impact-case-study-002
[12] Who Asks and Who Benefits from Mentorship? Seeking and … https://www.bschool.cuhk.edu.hk/events/who-asks-and-who-benefits-from-mentorship-seeking-and-receiving-mentoring-as-a-resource-seeking-behavior-in-technology-start-ups/
[13] Marta DOWEJKO, Dr – Hong Kong – HKBU Scholars https://scholars.hkbu.edu.hk/en/persons/MDOWEJKO
[14] What Do Startup Mentors Do? Founders’ Perspective on … https://scholars.hkbu.edu.hk/en/publications/what-do-startup-mentors-do-founders-perspective-on-entrepreneuria
[15] HKBU School of Business on Instagram: ““Entrepreneurship is not … https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-7Mt-Xi5Xo/
[16] Marta Dowejko | Hong Kong Baptist University – Academia.edu https://hkbu.academia.edu/MartaDowejko
[17] Hong Kong Startup Mentors | Growth Advice From the Top 1% https://www.growthmentor.com/location/hong-kong/mentors/
[18] The Hong Kong innovation ecosystem, opportunities and challenges https://swissnex.org/china/news/the-hong-kong-innovation-ecosystem-opportunities-and-challenges/
[19] The Challenges Facing Hong Kong Start-ups: Access to Funding https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MzY0MDI0MDA0
[20] Angels, Venture Capitalists & Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) https://www.startmeup.hk/startup-resources/angels-venture-capitalists/
[21] Marta Dowejko – Hong Kong Baptist University – LinkedIn https://hk.linkedin.com/in/martadowejko
[22] Dr Marta Dowejko專訪 – BU Master – LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/posts/martadowejko_bu-master-dr-marta-dowejko-%E6%B5%B8%E5%A4%A7%E5%90%8D%E5%B8%ABdr-marta-activity-7233671324332605440-CHkh
[23] The Do’s and Don’ts of Mentorship with Startup Founders https://www.startmeup.hk/startmeuphk-festival-2020/community-events/mentorship-hacks-the-dos-and-donts-of-mentorship-with-startup-founders/
[24] Mentorship Hacks: The Do’s and Don’ts of Mentorship with Startup … https://asiasociety.org/hong-kong/events/mentorship-hacks-dos-and-donts-mentorship-startup-founders
[25] ABOUT MentorShip Network – HKUST Entrepreneurship Center https://ec.hkust.edu.hk/mentorship-network
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