Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Consider how living and working in a compact city like Hong Kong can offer both convenience and pressure, and how to balance the hustle with outdoor activities (00:45)
- Tip 2Visit Science Park for a sense of how government-backed ecosystems support startups, including housing options for staff and affordable living choices (04:45)
- Tip 3Attend Epic 2025 to understand how investor networks connect with founders and what a global pitching event feels like in Hong Kong (09:39)
Max Chernov returns to Hong Kong with entrepreneur Thomas to peel back the glossy surface of an energy fueled metropolis and ask what life and business really look like there. They compare Hong Kong with Singapore as potential baselines for living well and building a company, and they dig into the realities behind the famous skyline: tiny flats, high costs, and a city still somehow thriving on a mix of outdoor adventures, multicultural education, and access to a global ecosystem. The conversation moves from the rhythm of daily life in a compact, harbor-linked city to the deeper strengths that keep Hong Kong running: a lattice of islands and trails ideal for hiking, trail running, open water swimming, and weekend getaways to crystal-clear waters near Sai Kung and Tai O, all underscored by a climate that rewards outdoor living much of the year. They also explore family life, with a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter enrolled in a kindergarten that blends languages and cultures, a common HK
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Max Chernov travels with Thomas to Hong Kong to test the city as a place to live and build a business. They reflect on Hong Kong’s reputation for hustle and its surprising balance of outdoor life, education, and opportunity. The visit to the Science Park reveals an intense startup ecosystem, where programs through the Science and Technology Park drive funding, mentorship, and community among founders. The Golden Egg running club and the live Epic 2025 pitching event showcase how HK connects entrepreneurs to investors and a broader ecosystem, with finalists drawn from many countries. The dialogue touches on living costs, apartment sizes, and the affordances of living near water and green spaces, as well as the ease of company setup, favorable taxes, and international connections. Thomas highlights HK as Asia for beginners, a springboard to the Greater Bay Area, and a hub that balances Western and Eastern influences. The exchange ends with a sense that while rivalries exist, a global ecosystem including Singapore and Hong Kong is essential for solving broad, cross-border problems. Max notes his affection for Hong Kong as a launchpad for international ventures and lifestyle, planning to return as part of a broader, ongoing exploration of Asia’s business landscape.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Is Hong Kong still good for business compared to Singapore?
- A: Yes, Hong Kong offers a fast setup, low taxes, strong global links, and a vibrant startup ecosystem, though living costs and small apartments are tradeoffs.
