It’s common to feel uncertain a few years into your career after graduation, questioning if your job truly brings meaning or fulfilment, or feeling the pressure of comparing yourself to peers. For some, these feelings serve as fuel for growth and self-discovery, leading them to return to school, switch paths, or even start something entirely new. The founders of two PolyU startups—JAP JAP and GoGo Gull—are great examples of how the journey of self-discovery can open doors to exciting entrepreneurial adventures.

JAP JAP tackles food waste with innovation

After years of experience in both design and finance, Rosie Chan sought to enrich her life and contribute meaningfully to society. Enrolling in the School of Design at PolyU sparked an unexpected entrepreneurial journey focused on tackling pressing environmental issues, particularly food waste.

Inspired by her time working on a Japanese farm, Rosie developed a self-service recycling system that utilises bioconversion technology to transform food waste into valuable resources through black soldier fly larvae. With only 5% of Hong Kong’s food waste currently recycled, her innovation addresses the urgent need to reduce landfill waste and lower carbon footprints.

Encouraged by her teachers and peers, Rosie took the leap into entrepreneurship with the support of PolyVentures, the University’s flagship entrepreneurship ecosystem. This initiative allowed her to merge business acumen with design thinking, transforming JAP JAP from a capstone project into a thriving, award-winning social enterprise. Funding from the PolyU MicroFund and Angel Fund accelerated the startup’s growth while guidance from the University’s Industrial Centre provided essential technical support and access to prototyping facilities.

This innovative self-service recycling system utilises bioconversion technology to convert food waste into valuable resources through the use of black soldier fly larvae.

“True entrepreneurship is about pioneering what doesn’t yet exist, fuelled by the motivation to create something entirely new and meaningful,” Rosie says. This philosophy drives JAP JAP, which not only addresses waste management but also promotes sustainable living through educational partnerships with schools, engaging students in eco-friendly practices to achieve a broader community impact. Currently, Rosie is pursuing an MPhil degree in Building Environment and Energy, aiming to deepen her understanding of environmental studies and continue her commitment to promoting sustainability and tackling environmental challenges.

GoGo Gull seeks to advance VR storytelling

From the story of Wan Zhilin and Song Xin, we can learn how young people try to advance in their careers and make an impact in the industry after refining their skills at PolyU.

The two girls are graduating from the Master of Science in Innovative Multimedia Entertainment this year. They were working in virtual reality (VR) production before studying at PolyU. Starting a business wasn’t on their minds initially, but their graduation project—a VR interactive narrative game combining artificial intelligence and heartfelt messages about personal growth—quickly gained recognition, sparking the idea of starting their own company. Now available online, their VR game was a success at major exhibitions such as China Joy 2025 and the Hong Kong ACG Exhibition 2025. They credited the support of their teachers during their studies, which gave them great inspiration.

Wan, Song, and two teammates co-founded GoGo Gull Interactive Limited, a creative studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of VR storytelling and game design. With support from PolyVentures and the PolyU Micro Fund, they have actively participated in pitch competitions and showcases across Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Qianhai, Shanghai, and other Mainland cities. The co-founders bring along expertise in VR development, immersive storytelling, game design, and visual art, positioning GoGo Gull as a rising star in the creative technology industry.

PolyVentures nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs

Rosie, Wan, and Song are among the 7,600 entrepreneurs PolyU has trained throughout the years, exemplifying how PolyVentures empowers aspiring PolyU-affiliated entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses. Through robust support from funding, networking, training, business matching services, and more, PolyU fosters a mindset encouraging creativity, innovation, and risk-taking, nurturing future leaders who can translate bold ideas into solutions that positively impact society.