La French Tech Hong Kong and Shenzhen Podcast

What does it really take to build a startup from nothing, and scale it internationally?In this episode, Antoine Kuhnast, Founder & CTO of Safehear, shares the unfiltered story behind building a deep tech hardware company, starting as a student with no funding, no network, and no clear roadmap.Through pitching, failures, and real-world testing, he transformed a personal problem into a scalable industrial solution, before expanding from France to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.🎧 You’ll learn: • How to go from idea to first traction without resources• How to test a new market before committing resources• What early-stage founders often get wrong about product development• The real differences between Europe and Asia in business execution• Why “expanding too fast” can destroy your startup• Why the GBA is a game-changer for hardware startupsA practical episode for founders navigating the hard truth of hardware industrialization.Connect with the Guest:Antoine Kuhnast (Founder/CTO of Safehear)https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinek-startup/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Going global sounds exciting, but where do you actually start?Going global is no longer about connections. It’s about data, tools, and execution. In this episode, Fiona Yeung sits down with Kelsey Ngai, Senior Marketing Executive (now Partnership Manager) at Alibaba.com, to unpack how SMEs can expand globally without relying on assumptions, guesswork, or trial and error.Drawing on her experience in cross-border e-commerce, Kelsey explains how businesses can use buyer signals, market data, and practical execution to choose the right markets, improve visibility, and create a more efficient route to growth. From Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to France and beyond, this conversation offers a grounded view of what it takes to scale internationally.This is not theory. It’s a practical, step-by-step framework used by thousands of businesses already scaling across 200+ markets.What You’ll Discover:• How to validate demand before entering a new market• Why the right market is not always the biggest market• How to generate qualified leads in international e-commerce• Why trust, not price, is the real driver of cross-border success• How to use data, AI, and logistics to scale more efficiently• Post-sale strategies to turn one-time buyers into long-term partnersWhether you’re just starting or already exporting, this episode gives you clear, actionable moves you can apply immediately.A tactical conversation for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who want to build a smarter cross-border e-commerce strategy.Connect with the Guest:Kelsey Ngai (Senior Marketing Executive, Alibaba.com)https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-ngai-1b5704104/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Hong Kong is entering a new fintech era, and Peggy Kwok, Senior Vice President, Fintech at Invest Hong Kong, breaks down what founders, investors, and institutions need to know now. From Hong Kong’s next-generation data and payment infrastructure to responsible AI adoption, tokenisation, and cross-border connectivity, Peggy shares how the city is positioning itself as a future-ready fintech hub. What You’ll Discover: • What Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem looks like today, and which sub-sectors are growing fastest • How the city’s stablecoin, tokenisation, and digital asset roadmap is evolving • What fintech founders need to understand before entering Hong Kong or the GBA • How InvestHK helps firms with licensing, partnerships, and market expansionIf you are building a fintech company, investing in fintech, or planning regional expansion, this conversation gives you a clear view of where opportunity is opening up and what to prepare for.Connect with the Guest:Peggy Kwok (Senior Vice President, Fintech, Invest Hong Kong)https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-kwok-51862030/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong -Shenzhen) https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Hong Kong’s Senior Vice President of Startups, Chin Yung Lu, explains how combining Hong Kong Fintech Week and StartMeUpHK Festival creates scale, cross‑sector dealflow and stronger matchmaking for startups, investors and corporates. The events act as a practical “dating” stage for founders to test market fit in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA), with pre‑event roadshows, a Global Fast Track pitching program, and an AI assistant “Samantha” to surface targeted meetings. CY highlights Hong Kong’s role as a bilingual, common‑law bridge for China‑facing companies seeking global investor confidence, and stresses realistic planning around costs, traction and fundability.What You’ll Discover: • How the combined flagship events supercharge investor matchmaking• The most common pitfalls founders face when entering Hong Kong and how to avoid them• How AI matchmaking tools like Samantha are changing networking ROI• How sponsors and exhibitors turn booths into dealflow• What VCs want in 2026• how to make yourself the “prey” investors want to chase.With practical strategies for navigating compliance, and sharp insights into investor expectations, this episode is a must-hear for entrepreneurs ready to expand their horizons.Tune in for the tactical playbook!Connect with the Guest:Chin Yung Lu (Senior Vice President of Startups, Invest Hong Kong)https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinyung-lu/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Planning to scale your startup across APAC and elevate corporate content into high‑impact AI experiences?From winning Hong Kong’s Fintech Fast Track to producing hundreds of thousands of AI-generated videos for Société Générale, Florian Lang, co-founder of Libertify, is redefining corporate communication.In this episode, he unpacks:How Libertify defined its MVP and scaled it into a product delivering ~170K AI-generated videos annually.How the Hong Kong Fintech Fast Track accelerated Libertify’s growth, funding, and enterprise adoption.The challenges of adapting to local market fit while maintaining a global vision.Practical insights for founders: balancing risk, listening to markets, and scaling with trustWhether you’re a founder, executive, or tech professional, this episode is a strategic listen for navigating cross-border growth and leveraging AI for competitive advantage.Connect with the Guest:Florian Lang (Co-founder, Libertify)https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-lang-53bab2198/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Thinking of entering the GBA and scaling across China and the world?In this episode, our guest Ying Yu, Head of China Markets at Invest Hong Kong, unpacks how the city is shaping the future of global business. From Hong Kong’s role as a fundraising and startup hub, to the Greater Bay Area’s rapid prototyping and scale-up ecosystem, Ying shares insider perspectives on:• Why Hong Kong is the fastest route from MVP to market — fundraising, talent and go-to-market support• How CEPA and GBA pilot policies reduce cross-border friction for product, services and trade• How to protect IP and legal rights when you expand regionally and globally• Practical next steps for founders: go-to-market, partnerships and funding channelsWhether you’re building an early-stage startup or preparing to scale, this episode lays out the tactical playbook for moving from Hong Kong into the GBA and beyond. A strategic listen for executives planning Asia expansion or reallocating capital across the region.Connect with the Guest:Ying Yu (Head of China Markets, Invest Hong Kong)⁠[email protected]⁠Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

In this episode, Andy Wong, Head of Innovation and Technology, and Life & Health Science at Invest Hong Kong, unpacks how the city is positioning itself as Asia’s ultimate launchpad for startups and tech enterprises. From government-backed R&D subsidies and fast-track visas for global talent, to the one-hour Hong Kong–Shenzhen pipeline that takes ideas from prototype to real production, Andy reveals why Hong Kong is becoming the super-connector between global capital, world-class talent, and China’s vast market. What You’ll Discover: • How can startups tap into government incentives such as venture capital, tax incentives, subsidies related to R&D activities?• What makes Hong Kong’s IPO market one of the world’s top destinations for biotech and tech listings? • How does the GBA “one-hour living circle” accelerate the journey from R&D to production? • Which visa and talent schemes are helping founders hire AI, biotech, and deep tech experts from around the world? • Why is Hong Kong the perfect sandbox for testing products before scaling into Mainland China and Southeast Asia and also globally? • What role do Cyberport and Hong Kong Science & Technology Park, and the new Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park play in nurturing Asia’s next generation of unicorns? This episode is your insider’s guide to understanding why the world is eyeing on Hong Kong’s innovation future. Connect with the Guest:Andy Wong (Head of Innovation & Technology and Life & Health Sciences, Invest Hong Kong)⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-wong-11365464/⁠Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

What does it take to build brands that resonate across borders—from the pulse of Gen Z in mainland China to the global-minded youth of Hong Kong?In this episode, Deric Wong, Chief Business Officer of Eternity X and ex-CEO of Dentsu China & Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Hong Kong; unpacks the art and science of cross-border marketing. From B2B storytelling and platform strategy to the future of AI-powered branding, this is your insider’s guide to navigating Asia’s most dynamic markets.Whether you're scaling a startup or steering a legacy brand, Deric’s insights will challenge how you think, plan, and connect. This is the playbook you didn’t know you needed.Connect with the Guest:Deric Wong (Chief Business Officer, Global at EternityX)https://www.linkedin.com/in/dericwong/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

What if women’s health wasn’t reactive, but proactive, personalized, and effortless? That’s exactly what Natasha & Inès are building with Blissmi—an AI-powered, science-backed platform that delivers holistic wellness plans for every stage of a woman’s life.From fertility to menopause, from mental health to nutrition, Blissmi helps women take control of their health before problems arise. And in the workplace? It’s a game-changer: boosting retention, productivity, and creating cultures where women truly thrive.🎧 In this episode:✔ Why women’s health is still overlooked—and how to change it✔ How AI + medical expertise create ultra-personalized wellness plans✔ What companies gain when they invest in women’s well-being✔ How to bridge the health equity gap worldwide🔗 Listen now and discover how Natasha & Inès are shaping the future of women’s wellness.Connect with the Guests:Inès Gafsi (Co-founder & Chief Growth Officer, Blissmi)https://www.linkedin.com/in/inesgafsi/Natasha King (CEO and Co-Founder, Blissmi)https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashajking/Connect with the Hosts:Ludovic Krundel (Vice President, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakrundel/Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Marketing is evolving fast—and agentic AI is redefining what’s possible. In this eye-opening episode, David Ko, Managing Director of RFI Asia, explores how autonomous AI agents are transforming branding, personalization, and customer engagement across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.From hyper-personalized skincare campaigns and real-time crisis monitoring to navigating the linguistic and cultural complexities of cross-border markets, David shares how businesses are leveraging AI agents to orchestrate smarter, faster, and more context-aware brand experiences.What You’ll Discover:The Evolution of Agentic AI: How AI agents go beyond traditional automation to autonomously tailor marketing strategies in real timeHyper-Personalization at Scale: How brands are crafting micro-campaigns that feel deeply humanCross-Channel Brilliance: How agentic AI enables consistent cross-platform branding while navigating cultural nuances in global marketsReal-Time Crisis Response: How RFI's Brand Watcher tool helps safeguard brand reputation in the age of deepfakes and misinformationFuture Trends: What's next in the era of agent-to-agent commerce and billion-dollar, AI-powered solopreneursWhether you're a tech founder, marketing strategist, or C-suite leader, this episode is your blueprint for leveraging AI to lead—not follow—the future of business in Asia.🎧 Listen nowConnect with the Guest:David Ko (Head of AI, Managing Director, RFI Asia)https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkoasia/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Dive into the heart of Asia’s tech revolution with Olivier Kuziner, Managing Partner of Ekimetrics APAC. From hustling as a solo consultant in Hong Kong to building a 550-person analytics powerhouse across Asia Pacific, Olivier shares the hard-earned lessons, insider strategies, and transformative insights every tech lover, entrepreneur, and investor needs to hear.In this episode, you’ll discover:• Navigating Asia’s “Guanxi” Culture: Why face-to-face networking can make—or break—your next big deal.• From Dashboards to Agentic AI: How Ekimetrics transformed marketing mix modeling into fully automated, AI-driven workflows trusted by major banks and top-tier luxury brands.• Cracking the Great Firewall: Explore China’s unique digital landscape—plus the unexpected challenges of doing business in mainland China.• Talent, Tech & Tomorrow: Olivier’s Blueprint for Startups and SMEs in the Greater Bay Area – recruit top-tier data and AI talent while leveraging robust local networks and collaborative initiatives• The 2030 Playbook: Explore energy-efficient AI,human-level robotics, and next-generation generative models that signal a seismic shift in roles, responsibilities, and revenue streams.Whether you’re a Hong Kong startup founder, a Greater Bay Area investor scouting for the next unicorn, or a tech professional eager for the latest AI trends, Olivier’s candid anecdotes and real-world insights offer a front-row seat to APAC’s explosive data-driven future.Tune in now to learn how to scale your business, overcome cross-border hurdles, and harness AI that doesn’t just predict—it acts.Connect with the Guest:Olivier Kuziner (Partner, Ekimetrics)https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivierkuziner/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Renee Wan, Director at aimHigher Consultancy Limited, as she unpacks the evolving recruitment landscape across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.In this episode, Renee reveals the core challenges facing today’s job seekers and employers—from the struggle to stand out in a competitive market and the nuances of local language and cultural expectations to the hurdles companies face with lengthy interview processes and suboptimal employer branding.Discover actionable strategies for tailoring your resume, negotiating the right compensation, upskilling with key certifications, and streamlining recruitment processes.Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect opportunity or searching for that ideal candidate, this episode offers the real-world insights you need to succeed.Connect with the Guest:Renee Wan (Director, aimHigher Consultancy Limited)https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneewan/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Uncover the visionary world of extended reality (XR) with Ariella Cheung, a forerunner fusing couture and cutting-edge technology.Discover how her revolutionary approach is reshaping the bridal industry and seamlessly blending art, creativity, and innovation to forge a dynamic future.In this podcast episode, Ariella Cheung, founder of Marianava Bridal Couture and innovator at AvantGrand Inno Tech (AGIT), takes you on her inspiring journey from fashion design to art tech.Learn how she has leveraged XR technologies to transformcorporate training, elevate brand storytelling, and redefine business strategies.Ariella highlights the power of creativity, collaboration, andinnovation in navigating the ever-evolving art tech landscape.Explore Ariella’s unique perspective on integrating technology with craftsmanship to revolutionize bridal couture and beyond. Gain valuable insights into XR applications, exciting opportunities, and her bold vision for the future of digital art.Connect with the Guest:Ariella Cheung (Founder, Avant Grand Inno Tech Limited & Maranatha Bridal Limited)https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-ariella-cheung-a4293b1b4/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Are you ready to delve into the fascinating world where technology meets morality? Join us for an eye-opening episode as we sit down with Dr. Jean-François Bonnefon, a leading authority in cognitive psychology and AI ethics.In this spellbinding conversation, we unravel the intricate ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous systems—especially the split-second moral decisions of self-driving cars. How should a machine prioritize human lives in critical moments? Dr. Bonnefon shares surprising and thought-provoking findings from his groundbreaking research that may change the way you view artificial intelligence forever.Discover how cultural differences around the globe are shaping the implementation of AI, leading to a complex tapestry of ethical standards and expectations. Dr. Bonnefon brings captivating stories from his research journey, revealing moments of insight that highlight the profound impact of AI on society.Connect with the Guest:Dr. Jean-François Bonnefon (Department Chair, Toulouse School of Economics)https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-francois-bonnefon-a8aa743/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Explore how Women in Web3 Hong Kong is closing the gender gap in Web3 leadership while sharing valuable insights to help everyone — men and women — thrive in this evolving industry.Gain practical strategies to break into Web3, whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or tech professional. Discover key skills and trends to stay competitive, hear inspiring stories from female leaders breaking barriers, and learn how mentorship, education, and diversity are creating new career opportunities for all.🎧 Tune in now and get inspired!Connect with the Guests:Lucie Acquaviva (Senior Marketing Manager, Animoca Brands)https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-acquaviva/Melizza Anievas (Senior Vice President Marketing Business Development, CITD)https://www.linkedin.com/in/melizza-anievas/Livia Yau (Co-founder, Women in Web3 Hong Kong)https://www.linkedin.com/in/meichingyau/Connect with the Host:Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/

Get ready to be inspired! We are beyond excited to have Xavier Roso, a pioneer in technology and innovation, and a prominent leader at La French Tech Hong Kong & Shenzhen to be the 1st guest for our podcast series.Xavier will share his entrepreneurial journey and reveal how he drives the success of startups in fiercely competitive markets.As the CEO of one of Asia-Pacific's top partner relationship management software companies - Expando®, Xavier has built thriving ecosystems that empower sales partners and spark groundbreaking innovation.Join us to hear how Xavier has navigated the ever-evolving tech landscape, his vision for the future of AI-powered solutions in the B2B arena, and his expert advice on scaling a business globally.Connect with the Guests:Xavier Roso (Co-founder & CEO, Expando AI)https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavierroso/Connect with the Hosts:Ludovic Krundel (Vice President, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakrundel/Fiona Yeung (Community Lead, La French Tech Hong Kong - Shenzhen)https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionayeung/