From Sheung Wan Workshop to Regional Hub: How Local Tech Entrepreneur is Reshaping Hong Kong's Job Market

In a cramped workshop above a dai pai dong on Des Voeux Road Central, Marcus Liu's journey began in 2019 with three employees and a vision to solve supply-chain problems for regional retailers. Seven years later, his company, Nexus Logistics Technologies, now employs 340 people across Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok—a growth trajectory that stands out sharply against Hong Kong's tightening job market.

The contrast is stark. Hong Kong's unemployment rate hovered near 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Census and Statistics Department, but the picture darkens in tech and professional services. Graduate placements in software development have slowed noticeably. Against this backdrop, Nexus represents a rare expansion story—one that local economists say offers insights into how Hong Kong businesses can compete for talent while adapting to regional economic shifts.

Liu's strategy has centred on three pillars: competitive compensation benchmarked to Singapore and Tokyo standards, flexible work arrangements, and genuine career development pathways. His Quarry Bay office, which relocated from Sheung Wan in 2023, now serves as a training hub where junior developers work alongside senior engineers on real client projects. The company has hired 85 graduates from local universities in the past eighteen months alone.

"We're not just filling seats," Liu explains in interviews. "Every person we hire represents a bet on their potential. That philosophy attracts people who might otherwise leave for overseas opportunities."

What distinguishes Nexus from larger multinational competitors is its commitment to regional expansion without abandoning Hong Kong as its operational heartland. Unlike tech firms that treat the city as a mere branch office, Liu has anchored his headquarters here, a decision that carries real meaning in an era when many blue-chip companies have consolidated operations in Singapore or Shanghai.

The ripple effects extend beyond Nexus itself. Recruitment firms report increased demand for mid-level operations and product managers—roles that Nexus has helped popularise. The company's success has also prompted conversations among Hong Kong's traditional logistics and trading houses about digital transformation and hiring tech talent, creating secondary employment opportunities.

As Hong Kong grapples with brain drain and an ageing workforce, Nexus's trajectory matters. It demonstrates that with the right governance, competitive pay, and genuine investment in people, local founders can build globally competitive enterprises rooted in Hong Kong. That's a lesson Hong Kong's policymakers and business community are watching closely.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.