The entrepreneurial spirit among Hong Kong's youths has grown markedly in the last three years, according to a study conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council earlier this year.

The reasons for the trend are that, besides a better economic environment, there's growing encouragement from the government, various organizations and large enterprises.

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) is a non-governmental organization which has been empowering local young people to explore new career opportunities. In 2005, it launched a "Youth Business Hong Kong" (YBHK) scheme, offering services for young entrepreneurs, including seed money, business mentorship and support, information and networking.

Sponsored by HSBC Commercial Banking, HKFYG has just revealed the winners of this year's "HSBC Youth Business Awards" - an event that aims to accord recognition to young enterprises that are pro-active and innovative and offer exceptional services.

The "Gold" award went to Hachill (HK) Ltd, a trendy eye-glasses brand founded by Fai Wong and Keith Mok. The brand's name "Hachill" is similar to the Cantonese pronunciation of "sunglasses". The brand emphasizes that it's locally originated and it has already expanded its business into the mainland and other Asian markets.

Wong and Mok received a cash price of HK$100,000 and free promotion with magazine advertisements and online keyword search services worth over HK$110,000.

The "Silver" award was won by Global Investigation and Security Consultancy Ltd - Hong Kong's first and only female-oriented professional investigation company founded by Philic Man in 2009. Man received a cash prize of HK$50,000.

The "Bronze" award with a HK$30,000 cash prize went to Play More Ltd, a software development company founded by three youngsters in late 2009. The company started by launching mobile games like "Chinese Checkers", "Funny Slap" and "M-Pad" and gradually expanded to web design and digital marketing. Its clients now include Dah Chong Hong, AIA and PolyU.

Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, executive director of HKFYG, said that through the awards, she was glad to see the maturing and diversification of Hong Kong's entrepreneurial culture, and it is very pleasant to know that more and more young people in Hong Kong are realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.

Anita Fung Yuen-mei, chief executive of HSBC Hong Kong, said the creative thinking and passion of young local entrepreneurs have inspired the city's economic growth. The awards, she said, have set shining examples for young people and encouraged them to take full advantage of the business opportunities whenever they arise.

(HK Edition 11/10/2014 page9)