Recently, I joined a Cyberport entrepreneurship initiative, accompanying 20 startup teams from a dozen Hong Kong universities on a 10-day trip to the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. We visited Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in San Francisco, toured coworking hubs, and mingled with founders, venture capitalists (VCs), and tech insiders who shape the global startup conversation.

What struck me most wasn’t the innovation on display — or the multibillion-dollar valuations casually mentioned over coffee. It was the sheer surprise on so many faces when they realized just how much Hong Kong truly punches above its weight.

Despite being a global financial hub and Asia’s top producer of unicorns, many San Francisco Bay Area insiders still think of Hong Kong as nothing more than a “small market” of 7 million people. That narrative, repeated often enough, becomes a blind spot even in the heart of innovation itself.

As a Hong Kong native and tech investor, I found myself repeatedly stepping up as the city’s unofficial ambassador. I had to correct misconceptions — sometimes gently, sometimes with a touch of humor. Hong Kong isn’t just “small”. It is one of Asia’s leading birthplaces of billion-dollar startups. It is one of the world’s most sophisticated financial centers, with capital, regulatory expertise, and connectivity that rival anywhere on the planet. And here’s a fact that surprised even seasoned fintech executives: Hong Kong is among the first global cities to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoin, putting it ahead of many Silicon Valley darlings when it comes to financial innovation.

Yet, these facts are often unknown or overlooked in the United States, even among those who pride themselves on spotting the next big thing. The disconnect between perception and reality is real — and palpable.

More than ever, Hong Kong must tell its story proactively. We cannot rely on nostalgia for past glories, nor assume that the world automatically knows our strengths. The city’s narrative — the one of a dynamic, forward-looking innovation hub — must be shared loudly and clearly. Because in a world where perception often dictates opportunity, silence is not an option

Over the past decade, Hong Kong’s innovation landscape has evolved dramatically, often under the radar of American investors. Beyond the headline-grabbing artificial intelligence and drone giants like SenseTime and DJI, a new generation of startups is quietly reshaping industries: from precision healthcare diagnostics to cross-border logistics to sustainable materials. What makes these founders stand out isn’t just their technical ability — it’s their cultural fluency and adaptability. They can pitch a VC in Palo Alto at breakfast and close a supply-chain deal in Shenzhen by dinner. That duality is a competitive advantage that Silicon Valley cannot replicate.

This trip reinforced something I’ve long believed: International investors and partners don’t just need pitch decks and performance charts; they need stories, connections, and firsthand encounters that break stereotypes. That is where organizations like Cyberport and HKETOs make a difference. Cyberport is far more than an office space or a funding channel; it’s a launchpad that gives Hong Kong startups access to global networks and mentorship. HKETOs, meanwhile, play the diplomatic yet entrepreneurial role of making sure Hong Kong’s voice — and its value proposition — are heard in boardrooms and policy circles far from home.

As I watched the student teams refine their business models, absorb feedback, and build relationships with investors, I realized that Hong Kong’s advantage lies not just in its deep capital pools or talent pipelines. Its true strength is in its ability to weave together East and West, tradition and disruption, local roots and global ambitions. That alchemy is rare — and powerful.

Of course, we should be honest: Challenges remain. Hong Kong’s high operating costs and fierce competition for tech talent are real hurdles. The business culture, though changing, can still feel more risk-averse than in other innovation hubs. But these challenges are not destiny — they are design problems. And if there’s one thing Hong Kong has always excelled at, it’s solving problems creatively and pragmatically.

More than ever, Hong Kong must tell its story proactively. We cannot rely on nostalgia for past glories, nor assume that the world automatically knows our strengths. The city’s narrative — the one of a dynamic, forward-looking innovation hub — must be shared loudly and clearly. Because in a world where perception often dictates opportunity, silence is not an option.

As a tech investor, I remain deeply optimistic. Hong Kong is poised to evolve from a financial powerhouse into a global innovation nexus. The ingredients are there: talent, capital, connectivity, and a cultural instinct for reinvention. The key will be sustained outreach, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering refusal to be boxed in by outdated assumptions.

So, the next time someone casually dismisses Hong Kong as a “small market”, I will smile, lean forward, and counter with facts — and confidence: Hong Kong is not small. It is a giant in Asia’s innovation and financial ecosystems — whether Silicon Valley chooses to see it or not.

The author is chairman of the Asia MarTech Society and sits on the advisory boards of several professional organizations, including two universities.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.