COMP student, Romeo Ng Wang-hei, (BSc (Hons) in Financial Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Year 3) received the ‘’Most Innovative Award (Open Stream)” with his team members from other universities at the finale of the New World Innovation Challenge 2021 on 27 November. New World Innovation Challenge 2021 is a multi-stream open competition designed to elevate solutions provided by the next generation of promising startups, students and intrapreneurs.
Romeo’s team, Team Avant, selected “Retail” as the problem statement. Focused on the New World Group's project, 11 SKIES, the city's largest retail, dining, and entertainment hub located next to the Hong Kong International Airport which is expected to open in 2025, the team provided solutions towards customer shopping behaviour and pattern identification by presenting a full-fledged digital strategy that benefits customers, 11 SKIES, and the New World Ecosystem.
They proposed a revamped digital journey and mobile app that features a seamless and customised experience. An AI-powered virtual "Koncierge" offers a localised conversational experience to citizens and tourists, generating a personalised shopping journey with smart notification and an automated booking system. This is made possible by their Bluetooth-driven interest prediction model, which allows 11 SKIES to discover interests among customer segments to launch effective cross-selling strategies, increasing customer satisfaction. The proposal also highlights a hybrid-shopping experience. With post-purchase follow-up, the app loops customers into the New World Ecosystem, providing them with an innovative and exceptional purchase journey.
Throughout the competition, finalists were given exclusive access to mentorship from established startup founders and industry experts, as well as in-person site visits on the case studies they tackle, enabling them to gain invaluable advice and guidance. They could learn directly from the case study owners and understand how business decisions are made on the usage of technology. “We were inspired by the fresh ideas from other startups, students, and intrapreneurs,” Romeo shared. “It was a precious journey.”
