Last Saturday, NineSmart CEO and Co-founder, Lucas, took the stage as the IT industry guest speaker at the Lingnan Career Expo 2026. Addressing a vibrant crowd of university students, he shared his unconventional entrepreneurial journey and insights into how digitalisation is reshaping our future.
Bridging the Gap: Marketing Meets AIoT
During the session, Lucas answered a frequent question: “How does someone with a Marketing background end up leading a PropTech startup?”
His core message to the students was simple: Your starting point does not dictate your destination. Lucas emphasized that while technical skills are important, business acumen and the ability to identify market pain points are what turn complex technology into user-friendly solutions.
He also highlighted the transformative power of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things). With technology turning traditional buildings into “thinking” smart spaces, the PropTech sector is driving Hong Kong’s Smart City evolution and opening up massive career opportunities for the next generation.
3 Key Takeaways for Future Tech Leaders
To help students navigate the fast-paced tech landscape, Lucas shared three guiding principles:
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Don’t Let Your Major Limit You: Your degree is just a foundation. The Innovation & Technology (I&T) sector thrives on diverse perspectives and problem-solving skills.
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Make AI Your Ally: The future isn’t about AI replacing humans. Rather, humans who know how to leverage AI will replace those who don’t.
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Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Do not fear failure. In the startup ecosystem, trial and error are necessary stepping stones to innovation.
NineSmart extends its deepest gratitude to Lingnan Secondary School for the invitation. We are incredibly optimistic about the future of Hong Kong’s tech talent and look forward to seeing these bright minds shape the next era of innovation!