Have faith in Hong Kong's creative start-ups

We heard only recently, as the inaugural Art Central graced the waterfront, that start-ups shouldn't rely on the government to create a favourable environment to get going. As one of the 37,000 creative and cultural businesses in Hong Kong, it's fair to say this is already happening. Unorthodox businesses and daring entrepreneurs with a vision are making that leap - working, eating, sleeping, and updating their Instagram feed at all hours.

But not all start-ups are created equal. Of all of the categories of 'start-up', the creative industries are thought of as Hong Kong's wild child. The pink-haired black sheep of the family, a 20- or 30-something upstart teetering somewhere on the cusp of major fame or total collapse. It's brave, unchartered and it's not encouraged.

Creative start-ups are treated with both a reverential sort of acclaim - invited to speak on panels as "the creative", and yet at the same time, given a wide berth. The business that your parents would be keen you avoided at career fairs. "This way, darling," the wide-eyed student is steered towards a more conventional career path.

There is a sort of educational and economic cold feet about creativity and entrepreneurship, especially together, which has a stifling effect on the growth potential of the art, craft, film, music, design and gaming industries.

Yet, we know that a mature economy has creative industries. Why? Because they represent innovation, curiosity and a depth of thinking that challenges the status quo.

Until Hong Kong has its very own authentic creative export, the economy can't and won't be considered fully mature. Ironic really.