The latest session of the Funder Insights Webinar Series, featuring the HKEX Foundation, concluded successfully with more than 40 participants in attendance. Mr Matthew Lee, Assistant Vice President of HKEX Foundation, delivered a compelling presentation, outlining the Foundation’s background, its funded impact projects, and its philosophy on social innovation.
Notably, Matthew demonstrated the innovativeness of these funded projects, providing the audience with valuable insights into how the Foundation supports social enterprises through the funding.
Matthew’s talk also offered two key takeaways for those in the CUHK community seeking to advance social innovation. First, he highlighted that innovation inherently involves risk, but rather than avoiding uncertainty, innovators should be prepared to manage it. Thoughtful risk-taking, he argued, is essential for pioneering solutions that create long-term impact.
Second, he stressed the importance of practicality. Innovation should not be pursued for its own sake, but instead rooted in a deep understanding of real community needs. By keeping beneficiaries at the heart of every project, innovators can ensure their work remains grounded, relevant, and transformative.
The webinar proved to be a significant resource, equipping participants with the knowledge to craft an innovation pathway for their projects and ventures. The subsequent Q&A session was highly interactive, with numerous questions raised, reflecting strong interest in the Foundation’s innovative partnership models and its definition of ‘social impact’.
The full webinar recording is available here. Following on this successful session, we invite you to join the upcoming session on 30 July 2025, featuring Ms Cecilia Ho, President of Lee Hysan Foundation. Registration is open, offering another opportunity to gain valuable funding insights (registration link).
For CUHK academics and researchers who are looking to turn their research into real-world impact, Social Innovation Team is also offering Impact Consultation sessions. Whether you’re dreaming up a new initiative or refining an existing one, we’re here to help you explore funding opportunities, connect with potential partners, and turn your research into real-world impact. Reserve your session here.
