MamaHelpers app makes way to Canada
LOOKING for a domestic helper? Two university students in Hong Kong have created a mobile app that pairs domestic helpers in the city with employers. The app attracted more than 20,000 members in just two months.
Since its soft launch in September last year, MamaHelpers has helped 60 employers find a domestic helper through direct pairing.
On average, more than 3,000 users were active daily on the platform — posting jobs, creating profiles, leaving comments and making contacts.
The project was initiated by Yan Leung Yat-yin, 24, and her 25-year-old classmate, Amanda So Tsz-yan, when they enrolled in the university’s Technology Leadership and Entrepreneurship programme last year.
Both are pursuing their postgraduate at the University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong.
Pitching for MamaHelpers at the recent Apac Region Qualifiers for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), Amanda’s presentation impressed the judges and was crowned the winner.
The qualifying round held in Taylor’s University was organised by the Apac Region of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), the world’s leading peer-to-peer network of successful business leaders.
GSEA is EO’s premier awards programme for students who own or operate a business while attending college or university.
Amanda competed against finalists from Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, and will make her way to the finals to be held on April 14 to 16 in Toronto, Canada.
Sharing her excitement about the win, Amanda said: “If I need to use one word to describe the GSEA event, it will be ‘genuine’.
“From contestants to judges to organisers, they are doing this from the bottom of their hearts.
“EO is a place where people can put their guard down and reveal who they really are, not just as someone with fancy titles.
“When EO members share their stories, I can resonate with many of them.”
Amanda said entrepreneurs around the globe shared the same struggles, no matter the size of the business.
“It is the persistence to overcome them that makes us continue to be entrepreneurs.
“Because of their genuine sharing, I feel like I should do the same as well. That is why I force myself to show the real me throughout the competition, even parts that I often consider as weak or weird.
“I think many of the other contestants did the same. The greatest and most valuable thing that I get from the competition is not the award, but a group of people around Apac, that I can rely on and trust.
“It is something that is hard, if not, impossible to find, especially in the business world, where capitalism exists,” said Amanda, who took home US$2,000 (RM7,800) and a trophy.
Amanda and her co-founder intend to estab- leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow together.
“GSEO held annually is our way of nurturing and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“In Asia, it is a challenge to find student entrepreneurs, as it is natural for Asian parents to see their children get a university degree and secure prospects for a secure job.
“Entrepreneurship is deemed to be risky, distractive, experimental and not secure.
“Through this platform, we find students inspiring us and proving that presumption is wrong.”
Participants in the GSEA competition are college or university student entrepreneurs who are responsible for businesses that have been operational for at least six consecutive months.
“We are looking for risk-takers, innovators and emerging entrepreneurs who have the tenacity to overcome obstacles to achieve what they have set their mind to do, some even making the world a better place in the process of creating a profitable and scalable business,” said Tan.
“What is intangible is the mentorship and coaching that they receive from EO members who have helped these students improve their businesses and themselves.”
GSEO held annually is our way of nurturing and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs.