Why women are a rare breed in Hong Kong's burgeoning tech start-up field

As the Hong Kong government moves more aggressively to promote technology start-ups in a bid to diversify the city's finance and property-focused economy, experts warn that women are at risk of being left out.

Female students made up only a third of those studying technology-related subjects, and role models were severely lacking for those women that did try to buck the trend and join the male-dominated industry, Karen Farzam, co-founder of start-up showcase W Hub, said.

Young women needed to hear "that they can actually go into the tech industry", she said.

"The tech industry has so many opportunities that if [young women] feel they are attracted, they should definitely go for it."

Farzam founded W Hub two years ago with Karena Belin to highlight Hong Kong start-ups and job opportunities in the technology industry in the hope of seeing a more diverse workforce in the future.

Belin believes flexible hours make entrepreneurship a great choice for women who are one half of double-career couples that juggle child care with work. The structure of start-ups also suited women.