Alumni In Conversation

Winning formula

In 2014, Animae Technologies quickly achieved two milestones: the company secured a grant from the Innovation and Technology Commission; and gained entry to Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks' Incubation Programme. It also received some important awards. All these achievements helped to provide a solid foundation on which to build the business.

“We focused on developing interactive user interface technology. The technology was initially intended to make the gaming experience more fun,” David said. “However, during the research and development (R&D) stage, we discovered it had potential for a wider range of applications, especially marketing and promotion where it could help companies develop a new type of digital sales. This led us to start R&D on electronic stamps.”

David went on to explain that with the enhanced technology they developed, users only need to install the company's Pointant app on their mobile phones and lightly tap the physical stamping device to automatically save electronic stamps or coupons. They can also immediately redeem gifts. “Compared with traditional physical stamping and similar methods, there is no need to collect and save stamps or coupons from different merchants anymore. Companies that make use of this technology to manage customer relationships and marketing get to simplify the process while at the same time giving their brand a high-tech and professional image.” One example of the app in action was the cash coupon that users were able to redeem after collecting digital stamps from all six innovative showcases at the Hong Kong Science Park MakeITHongKong 3-2-1 Go! Bang event in March-April 2019.

Among future plans are collaborations to help advance day-to-day operations and marketing strategies of companies in different sectors internationally, including membership systems, games, exhibitions, openings and launches, and other types of promotional activities that will make Animae Technologies' electronic stamp technology an indispensable marketing tool.

Stay true and dream on

Currently, most of Animae Technologies' staff and interns are SCM graduates or undergraduates. David and Carmen are keen to repay their alma mater. Student interns gain real-world experience while graduates strengthen the company's talent pool, enabling new and more established staff to learn from each other.

Indeed, many young people dream of being involved in creative media and the technology sector. For those thinking of setting up their own business, both David and Carmen believe that staying true to your fundamental interest makes it easier to realise those dreams.

To stand out in the highly competitive creative media world and impress customers, you also need to remain alert to ever-changing social and economic trends and have the flexibility and imagination to come up with new ideas. “The first two to three years are the toughest for a creative industry start-up,” Carmen said. “However, as long as you remain confident about your direction, and don't give up easily, your business has the potential to prosper.”

Finding a matching partner is also essential, someone who can add to your own skills and talents rather than duplicate them. And how do the couple find working together? “David's strengths lie in concept and design. He also likes to assemble mechanical models by hand,” Carmen said. “Programmes and coding he leaves to me as they involve text. This is how we complement each other.”