Kiss and tell: learning app ShowMuse gets HK$3 mln from Hong Kong Science and Technology Park’s pilot fund
French-kissing tutorials by American-born actress Jessica C already viewed over 100,000 times; company says instructional clips better than YouTube videos
A video tutorial app inspired by an entrepreneur’s long stay in hospital for leukaemia treatment has become the first recipient of Hong Kong Science and Technology Park’s pilot fund.
ShowMuse, created by entrepreneur Dennis Cheung to help adults in their 20s and 30s keep learning outside the classroom, received an investment of HK$3 million (US$386,000) from the park’s HK$50 million Corporate Venture Fund (CVF).
The idea for the app and website began to germinate 10 years ago when Cheung was in hospital being treated for cancer. At the time, his doctor encouraged him to focus on other interests to stay positive.
WATCH: Jessica C on how to kiss ‘appropriately’ via ShowMuse
“I wanted to learn something that I was really interested in, but I wouldn’t have the time to learn when I was healthy,” Cheung said.
“I tried to search on the net, but in 2006 there wasn’t a comprehensive video website.”
ShowMuse is an incubatee of HKSTP’s Incu-Tech programme for technology start-ups. It applied for the fund after securing investment of an equal value from a private investor.
READ MORE: Questions and answers about Hong Kong’s new innovation and technology bureau
Cheung’s start-up was selected from a pool of around 50 companies. It was chosen for its potential market and strong team, said Peter Mok, head of incubation programmes at HKSTP.