The Faculty of Social Sciences marked the start of the HKU Social Venture Lab (SV Lab) journey on April 13, 2026, with a vibrant Launch Happy Hour, bringing together passionate students, HKU members, and industry partners to build a dynamic platform that empowers students to create scalable, innovative, and sustainable solutions that transform communities.
In her welcoming remarks, Professor Ming Wen, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, underscored the pivotal role of the SV Lab in cultivating a culture of social innovation and empowering the next generation of changemakers to create meaningful social impact. By nurturing social entrepreneurial talent, the SV Lab aims to enrich the Faculty’s ecosystem and extend its impact across HKU, Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.
Setting out the vision for the new initiative, Professor Cheryl Chui, Assistant Dean (Student Enrichment) and Director of the SV Lab, encouraged students to embrace a broader understanding of entrepreneurship. “You don’t all need to become entrepreneurs in the narrow sense, but you do need an entrepreneurial mindset.” She outlined how the SV Lab will support students through a suite of programmes, mentorship opportunities, and startup funding, offering hands-on experiences that bridge classroom learning with real-world social challenges.
The launch also brought in perspectives from diverse industries. As keynote speaker, Mr. Bosco Leung, Social Responsibility Lead at MTR Corporation, spoke about the rising importance of social innovation in today’s workplaces. He highlighted how young talent can drive change from within organisations—not only as startup founders, but also as intrapreneurs committed to responsible, purpose-driven practice.
Adding a personal dimension to the evening, Ms. Celeste Yeung, co-founder of social enterprise Time To Gold, shared her journey on “Rewriting the Script: From Storyteller to Social Innovator” by building a venture that creates tangible impact in the community. Her story resonated with many students who are exploring their own paths to combine purpose, passion, and profession.
Looking ahead, the HKU Social Venture Lab is set to serve as a launchpad for student innovators committed to creating scalable, innovative, and sustainable solutions that transform communities. The SV Lab will continue to incubate students’ social innovation ideas, and warmly welcome mentors, trainers, funders, and partners to walk alongside us in nurturing the next generation of changemakers.
