Connected Hong Kong needs to do more to support its hi-tech innovators

If you live in Hong Kong and are reading this, you probably use your smartphone more than anyone else in the world.

The World Bank ranked Hong Kong second in the world (Macau placed first) for mobile cellular subscriptions for every 100 people. Studies also show that four-fifths of Hongkongers access the internet every day on their smartphone, and most never leave home without it.

You knew this already. All it takes is a ride on the MTR to observe the hyperconnected nature of Hong Kong's citizens. The question is: do Hong Kong's businesses, universities and governments see this technology in the same way you do? Are businesses able to make the same use of this technology that you do in your daily life?

The internet age has lowered the barrier for business entry and created a wave of aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to transform ideas into real business ventures. These men and women are figuring out how to wield contemporary technology in a way that reshapes our world. The sad fact is they're not getting the support they need.

Many people think that the government supports the internet by helping it get built and connecting to it: yes it does, but not enough. The next big step is to ensure that businesses and entrepreneurs use Hong Kong's impressive connectivity to its full potential.

While I admire Google's founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, I admire even more a system that rewarded and facilitated their innovations. Their benefit to society is incalculable. Silicon Valley's culture's benefits to them, equally so. Why can't Hongkongers enjoy the same kind of support?