Tim Lee, cofounder of QFPpay, a global mobile payment service, solution and technology provider. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Finding a niche

Hong Kong is a leading global-service and international-trading center. It stands out in such areas as finance, medicine, education and entertainment. This enables its entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities in niche areas.

Durham University graduate Justin Lao didn't find his niche until he took two finance positions in Shanghai.

After losing his second job in 2013, the 30-year-old spent about a month deliberating the feasibility of starting an education company in Shanghai. He got the idea while working as a part-time language tutor.

Lao invested his life savings－80,000 yuan ($11,710)－to establish K.U.G., one of the country's first professional Cantonese-training institutions.

"It's an ancient (dialect), known as Yayan, that originated in the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-256 BC)," Lao says.

"It has preserved ancient characteristics, including nine tones and six modes."