Startup experience sharing of Peter Choi. Internet entrepreneur. e-Marketing strategist. Founder of Snapshock @snapshock and Hiwave Dry Seafood @hiwavesg

1. A Random Walk Down
Entrepreneurship
Peter Choi
@snapshock / @hiwavesg

2. Peter Choi
• MSc MBCS PMP CISA CISSP
• 7 jobs in 8 years (“strategic” hopper…)
• Committee member, BCS (HK Section)
• First startup: 2004 (newsy)
• Taekwondo coach for 16 years

3. 2004 : newsy.com
• Web based RSS reader
• Cause of death:
– Too young
– Google Reader
• Lessons learnt:
– UX > functionalities
– Domain name trading is something!

4. 2007 : iPhoto.org
• Syndicate of photography blogs
• Lessons learnt:
– No automation for e-marketing
– Do not rely on advertisement income

5. 2005-2006 : SayiLove & StarryGift
• A place for love declaration
• Cause of death:
– Job security (team psychology)
– QC on outsourcing
– Too slow (morale issue)
• Lessons learnt:
– Train to manage your emotion
– Ditch “perfection”

6. 2008 : Hiwave Dry Seafood
http://hiwave.starrygift.com
• Family business for 3 gens
• Physical store at Sai Kung
• Chinese wedding betrothal gift
• iPhone apps – soup recipes “ 日行一膳”
• Featured in Google market report “The
Connected Harbour”
http://www.connectedharbour.hk

7. Video

8. 2008 : Hiwave Dry Seafood
• Minimal setup cost: blog, open source, social
media, SEO
• Secured inventory and supply chain
Google added:
• Extensive network
• Press and PR (a lot…)

9. Video

11. 2008 : Hiwave Dry Seafood
• Lesson learnt
ENDURANCE
不死才是硬道理 - 馬云 , 阿里巴巴

12. 2010 : Snapshock
• http://www.snapshock.com
• Sharing Event Photos Live
• HKSTP Incubatee
• Alpha launched at Beijing 36Kr ODay
• Interviewed at Innovation Works
• Echelon 2012 at Taiwan and Singapore
• iOS, Android ready

16. 2010: Snapshock
• Lesson learnt
FAITH
Maintain unwavering faith;
Confront the reality
- Stockdale Paradox

17. To Be Honest
• Entrepreneurship is NOT for everyone
• Do NOT expect “ Work Life Balance ”
• Livelihood is NOT guaranteed
• You will NOT succeed, for the first time
• You will learn a lot more
• You will live your life
• You will be happy
• You will succeed, eventually

18. To Conclude…
• Leap of Faith, embrace it
• Feel good, it’s a long journey
• Tiny idea, best execution
• Four perspectives :
– Yourself (core belief)
– Users (market acceptance)
– Investors (cash flow)
– Developers (feasibility)

19. And in Hong Kong…
• Cash in King !!
• Real estates and finance rules for a reason
• Startup and investors ecosystems still need
time to grow
• HK is no Silicon Valley or Beijing
• You are no Mark Zukerberg or Jack Ma!
If you are smarter, prove it !!

20. Your First Step…
• Join facebook group : Startup College
• Website: www.startupcollege.hk
• Twitter: @startupcollege

21. Peter Choi
Co-founder and CEO, Snapshock
peter.choi@snapshock.com
Twitter: @peterchoi
@snapshock / @hiwavesg
Weibo.com/peterchoicm