BUS News

From Small Potatoes to Big Dreams: HKBU Student Cultivate Inclusive Entrepreneurship

3 Jun, 2025

Yan Shuen CHOW, Jenny—a Year 1 BBA student, BIG 10.0 champion, and founder of Small Potato BIG Dream—is addressing the employment gap faced by individuals with Special Education Needs (SEN). Yan Shuen CHOW, Jenny—a Year 1 BBA student, BIG 10.0 champion, and founder of Small Potato BIG Dream—is addressing the employment gap faced by individuals with Special Education Needs (SEN).

The Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) School of Business recently concluded the 10th edition of its annual Dean's Cup Business Innovation Gymnasium (BIG) Grand Final—a dynamic platform designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and practical skills among students. Held at Cyberport on 27th May 2025, this year’s grand finale crowned Small Potato BIG Dream as the champion, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with Special Education Needs (SEN) through tailored training.

Building on the momentum of previous years, BIG 10.0 showcased the creativity and commitment of HKBU students. The competition received a record-breaking 150 proposals—ranging from an AI-powered mindfulness sports programme for seniors and an intelligent MPF retirement planning tool to a sustainable DIY cat castle. This represents a remarkable rise from just 18 teams three years ago, highlighting the growing impact of the programme and the flourishing entrepreneurial spirit at HKBU. 30 teams advanced to the semi-finals, with 6 making it to the final round to compete for the top prize.

Dr. Marta DOWEJKO, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre (EIC), opened the event by highlighting how the competition has evolved into a comprehensive entrepreneurial bootcamp. “This isn’t your typical student competition,” she noted. “We offer a comprehensive programme developing innovation and entrepreneurial skills crucial for any career path.” She described the initiative as an “entrepreneurial sandbox”, offering students hands-on training, networking opportunities, and workshops focused on pitching, innovation, and self-efficacy.

Among the standout finalists was Yan Shuen CHOW, Jenny, a Year 1 BBA student and founder of Small Potato BIG Dream. Her social enterprise aims to address the employment gap faced by SEN individuals by equipping them with culinary, entrepreneurial, and transferable soft skills through a training café model. Jenny’s pitch impressed the judges with its clarity, impact, and real-world progress—including product development, business registration, and partnerships with various organisations. She also announced plans to officially launch the company next month, turning her vision into a tangible and sustainable reality.

Beyond winning the championship, Small Potato BIG Dream will receive a fully-funded trip to Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon, generously sponsored by the School of Business.

Additionally, EIC will nominate four finalist teams to participate in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) Ideation Programme Vetting, offering the chance to secure HK$100,000 in seed funding, along with valuable mentorship and business advice. All finalists also receive seed funding and other benefits, including complimentary memberships to the FinTech Association of Hong Kong.

The distinguished judging panel of BIG 10.0 Grand Final comprised of:

  • Prof. Yuk-Shing CHENG, Former Interim Dean, School of Business, HKBU
  • Ms. Karena BELIN, Co-founder and CEO, WHub
  • Mr. Henry FONG, Assistant Director, Partnership, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
  • Ms. Donna NGUYENPHUOC, Managing Partner, SPARQ Capital

Established in September 2016, EIC supports the School’s entrepreneurial education through seminars, workshops, and related activities. For more information about the Centre, please visit: https://eic.hkbu.edu.hk/.

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