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Vivian Chan, the founding chairwoman of the Hong Kong PropTech Association (HKPTA), tells us about her journey with the organisation and shares her thoughts on building a PropTech ecosystem.

Many of this city’s family-owned real-estate businesses haven’t truly embraced technology and digital trends, perhaps because of traditional reliance on human resources. But to stay relevant in a fiercely competitive market, they must embrace innovation.

Growing up in a long-established family that owns and operates an office and hotel portfolio in Hong Kong, Vivian Chan understands that necessity all too clearly. Not only that — she’s also actively involved in bringing innovation to the broader real-estate sector.

Vivian Chan, Founding Chairwoman of the Hong Kong PropTech Association

A world traveller, lifelong learner and aspiring start-up investor, Vivian Chan was impressed by the rapid technological advances of the last few years. “The pace of change has been so fast that we need to be constantly on our toes,” she says. “I wanted Hong Kong and, in particular, the real estate industry to embrace more innovation and fresh perspectives.”

That led her to set up the Hong Kong PropTech Association (HKPTA) last year, an independent, non-profit organisation aiming to build a collaborative ecosystem that brings together real-estate technology stakeholders, from property developers and technology companies to investors and start-ups.

Proptech’s broad spectrum includes anything that’s digitised existing processes, from how a project is planned and built to the wide range of solutions for homebuyers and sellers, smart homes, property management, marketing, mortgages and even urban planning.

Chan also talks of its great potential to tackle climate change and contribute to sustainability, adding that the HKPTA is also driven by the goal to create an ecosystem that can nurture new technologies, which can benefit society and contribute to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Although she now has what she regards as a “dream team” leading her new association, Chan recalls that the early months weren’t easy — in fact, starting an industry body in early 2021 for people passionate about technology, entrepreneurship and driving substantive change in the real estate industry and the environment was a tough undertaking indeed.

In those first few months, she received polite refusals when reaching out to several established industry players. “With hindsight,” Chan admits, “their doubts are understandable, because of the short history of the organisation and a lack of understanding of the potentials of proptech.”

Yet in spite of the early rebuttals, she didn’t give up. In fact, Chan’s passion eventually impressed some of the industry’s most respected figures, who later joined the HKPTA as board members and advisors. “Without their support,” she says, “we wouldn’t have achieved what we have today. It’s been an amazing experience working with them because they’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty time and time again. It’s an indication that they’re truly dedicated to the association’s success.”

The HKPTA board is made up of a diverse group of individuals, each with expertise in a different area. All, however, have been involved in the industry for years, and their experience and knowledge provide valuable insights. Among them is Charles To, a partner in the ELLALAN legal practice, whose particular focus is on the law as it relates to technology, intellectual property, entertainment, blockchain and data privacy.

Rainie Pan, the association’s managing director, comes from a management-consulting background, Akina Ho is head of digital transformation at Great Eagle, James Kwan is the executive director of Jumpstart, Ivan Ho serves as the Hong Kong CEO of the KaiLong Group and Wendy Law brings her experience as executive director of Park Capital Group.

The association can also draw on a group of honorary advisors, including Dr Winnie Tang, Christina Gaw, Dr Derrick Pang, Andrew Young and several more. A year after its founding, the HKPTA now comprises five committees, four of which are led by a board member. Each committee plays an influential role in its defined area, while all build upon each other in a systematic way.

The rationale behind this structure is to streamline the entire start-up journey, from proof of concept to matching with potential investors and partners, and exploring opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. “We’re committed to advocating for sustainability development in business strategies that ultimately create a greener environment, a more liveable city, and better wellbeing for us and future generations,” says Chan.

To support decarbonisation goals, property developers are increasingly exploring energy-saving solutions for green buildings, while taking into account the impact of buildings on the health and wellbeing of their occupants.

On the client-facing front, a new breed of technologies has improved customer experience in many ways. There are already many smart home devices that offer comfort, convenience and energy efficiency, all at the same time.

“I wanted Hong Kong and, in particular, the real estate industry to embrace more innovation and fresh perspectives.”

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual-reality (VR) solutions are gaining popularity. A property might be displayed in VR, enabling potential buyers to see not only what the interior design looks like but also what it feels like to live there. VR solutions can also be used in retail stores, enabling customers to explore different products before buying them.

The real-estate sector is ripe for innovation. As the industry evolves, there’s still plenty of room for creativity and new ideas. From planning, design and construction to facility management and the customer journey, proptech is able to improve operating efficiency, sustainability and revenue. Nevertheless, challenges remain, both for real-estate companies to adopt the technology and for tech companies to formulate solutions that address industry-specific pain points.

“That’s why the HKPTA has been established,” says Chan, “to raise awareness of the need for digital transformation among corporates, to nurture creativity and entrepreneurship among youngsters, and to support the proptech start-up ecosystem. The goal is to bridge the gap between traditional real-estate businesses and innovative tech companies.”

Mental health is especially important for entrepreneurs because it helps them stay focused on their goals and avoid burnout. Chan understands that her own mental well-being helps her stay motivated and focused on her goals, which are essential for success.

“As long as I’ve done everything possible to do the best I could with the day, tomorrow is a brand-new day full of possibilities and encounters. So work hard, play hard, and enjoy every moment we’ve got. Waking up every morning is a gift worth celebrating,” she says.

She also reveals a lesser-known side of her story. Most people know her as a go-getter, an entrepreneur. But as a trained counselling psychologist, she volunteers to provide counselling services to underprivileged families served by NGOs whenever she has spare time. She knows that many people are going through tough times, and she wants them to know that they are not alone.

Vivian Chan is a good listener. She wants people to feel they’re being heard and understood. And that’s where her charm — and her strength — lies.

The post Vivian Chan, Founding Chairwoman of the HKPTA, on PropTech and Innovation appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

For those looking to do a little digital art shopping for their kawaii valentine, Phillips is hosting an online auction of NFTs from 14-22 February 2022. The Japanese word kawaii in English means cute and the My Kawaii Valentine online auction celebrates the spirit of love as all the artwork that is a part of the auction is based on the themes of cuteness, companionship, self-appreciation and flowers.

My Kawaii Valentine online art and NFT auction

The online auction being held by Phillips features six non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as well as various physical paintings and prints. The pieces that are being auctioned during the season of love have been chosen keeping in mind the Gen Z, millennials and expert art collectors. This auction has something for everyone.

The paintings being sold at the auction are by artists who are currently in demand with the crowd such as Yoshitomo Nara, Mr Doodle, Tomoo Gokita, Katherine Bernhardt, and Edgar Plan. As for NFTs, the auction holds artwork by artists such as Pomme Chan, MonoC, Maciej Kuciara and Lili Tae.

The online auction is slated to start at 9:00 pm HKT on 14 February and close at 6:00 pm HKT on 22 February. Along with Hong Kong Dollars, Phillips will also accept cryptocurrency (Ethereum or Bitcoin) for the NFTs.

The Art

Drowning In Love

Drowning In Love is one of the most special digital art pieces being auctioned. It is the world’s first NFT by a virtual artist – MonoC. The NFT will be auctioned on the last day as it will be created by MonoC based on the data coming in real-time on all seven days of the auction. The algorithm behind this process will work on the data that will come in each day, altering the final outcome of the NFT and bidders will be able to see the changes made every day. This one-of-a-kind process is the result of a collaboration between Hong Kong’s homegrown BrandTech firm Gusto Collective, who created MonoC, and Phillips.

Not just that, they have also partnered with composer Terrence Ma (T-Ma) who will be creating music accompanying the digital art piece which will be sold in a video format. The opening bid for the unique 150-second long video will be HK$ 1,000.

Her Body Is Metal

Made by Polish digital artist Maciej Kuciara, Her Body Is Metal is the second NFT piece from his famous Showtime Universe series. The piece is the result of his time spent as a Hollywood film designer and his love for art.

Other NFTs

Love, Me by Bangkok illustrator Lili Tae features heavy influences from Japanese schoolgirl magazines that had girls declaring their love on Valentine’s Day making it a perfect piece for the My Kawaii Valentine auction.

Tomoo Gokita’s, Fake Cezanne #1 honours post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. Ultimate Smokey Eye by Gina Beavers was originally painted in 2019 and is the artist’s perception of online makeup tutorials and how people tend to show themselves in the online world.

The auction will take place on Philips.com

(Main and Feature Image Credit: Courtesy of Gusto Collective)

The post My Kawaii Valentine: Phillips to hold an Online Art and NFT Auction Celebrating the day of Love appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Auction house Sotheby’s is putting up 104 CryptoPunk non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for sale on 23 February at its New York City auction set.

The auction, titled “Punk It!”, will be held following a live exhibition of the iconic NFTs, which is set to begin on 18 February and will conclude on 23 February.

In a statement issued on 8 February, Sotheby’s said that the collection will be sold as a single lot and is expected to fetch between USD 20 to 30 million. According to Sotheby’s “the sale marks the highest valued estimate for an NFT or digital art ever offered at auction”.

Sotheby’s CryptoPunk NFT auction

Bidders can use cryptocurrency

The 104 CryptoPunks were acquired by anonymous collector ‘0x650d’. Like other CryptoPunks, the 104 in the lot have varied attributes — mohawk haircuts, sunglasses, hats, and other accessories.

According to Sotheby’s the particular group up for auction also “showcases the diversity embedded in the original algorithm”.

The auction house said that the entire lot of 104 CryptoPunks come from a single wallet, one that represents over 1 percent of the entire CryptoPunks collection. This makes the lot unique as one of the largest collections held by a single wallet.

Bidders will be able to use cryptocurrency. Sotheby’s is extending the facility for the winning bidder to make payment in Ether, Bitcoin, and USD Coin besides fiat currencies.

“CryptoPunks are the original PFP series that created the template for other NFT projects that have followed, and which helped propel NFTs to the global stage as one of the most recognisable visual styles that have become synonymous with the digital art movement,” Michael Bouhanna, Sotheby’s Co-Head of Digital Art, said in the statement.

Panel discussion

Sotheby’s will be holding a live panel discussion before the auction. It will focus on the history of NFTs and CryptoPunks, keeping in view their immense popularity among celebrities such as Jay-Z and Jason Derulo who adopted them as their profile pictures.

Speakers who would appear on the panel are yet to be announced.

CryptoPunks get the Sotheby’s treatment. Our next #SothebysMetaverse sale ‘Punk It! 104 CryptoPunks. 1 Lot.’ will be a landmark LIVE Evening Auction on February 23. A truly historic sale for an undeniably historic NFT project. pic.twitter.com/LAu6j8Atu3

— Sotheby’s (@Sothebys) February 8, 2022

The exhibition will be held at Sotheby’s New York galleries. A virtual exhibit will also be held at Sotheby’s HQ in Decentraland.

The highest price a CryptoPunk has ever fetched at a Sotheby’s auction is USD 11.75 million, when CryptoPunk #7523 went under the gavel in June 2021.

What are CryptoPunks?

CryptoPunks are pixelated portraits of punk rock cartoonish faces created by Larva Labs in 2017. The entire collection has 10,000 NFTs, each different from the other due to their unique mix of attributes.

Both as a collection and as individual tokens, CryptoPunks are among the most famous NFTs of all time.

(Main and Featured images: Sotheby’s)

The post Sotheby’s to Sell Single Lot of 104 CryptoPunk NFTs for Estimated US$ 20-30mn in February appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from […]

If giving gifts is your love language, this luxury gift guide will include gifts for him, her, and for partners to enjoy together on Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day or any special occasion throughout the year! From clever gadgets to classic presents and even some fun experiences, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy this Valentine’s Day…. For Her: LuzFlora – Flowers might be a cliche gift, but I think they are still one of the most thoughtful and beautiful ways to show your love. I also love supporting female-owned businesses and Luz Flora is an amazing Miami-based, female-founded floral company that luckily ships nationwide! They offered beautiful arrangements that are handpicked from the Andes Mountains in Ecuador so I love that travel-themed aspect as well. You can also purchase their empowering coffee table books which are authored by their founder, Macarena Luz Bianchi. This would be a great gift for any of your female friends as well – Galentine’s Day is just as fun to celebrate!   ROAM Luggage – I am a big admirer of ROAM Luggage, in fact I have a full post about it here. One of the most important aspects of planning for a vacation is […]

Victoire de Pourtalès and Benjamin Eymère decamped to Le Château du Marais in the countryside for their ambitious enterprise.

A near-production version of the machine will debut later this year.

Meta, on 31 January 2022, introduced a series of updated 3D Avatars for its users on Facebook, Messenger, Instagram Stories and DMs.

The option to express their own selves virtually through feeds, stickers and profile pictures is currently available to users in the US, Canada and Mexico. The option is available across the Meta platforms, including the Quest VR.

In a blog post, Aigerim Shorman, General Manager for Avatars and Identity at Meta, said that the company made Avatars in VR “more expressive, more customisable and more diverse” last year and aims to expand it for more inclusivity.

“Today we’re taking that further, adding new facial shapes and assistive devices for people with disabilities. We will also be adding limited-time shirts for NFL fans to outfit their avatars in and celebrate their favourite teams,” reads Shorman’s post.

More options for millions of users of Meta Avatars

Inclusivity and more platforms

Shorman revealed that the 31 January update brings in Cochlear implants and over-the-ear hearing aids for the Avatars. These come in a wide range of colours.

Wheelchairs can be shown via stickers on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram DMs.

Besides the new features, Meta has also upgraded the look of the Avatars. Facial shapes and skin shades have been adjusted to increase authenticity. In an example, Shorman compared the features of two avatars — one from last year and one following the upgrade, revealing subtle changes to the facial structure.

Users will have more items to customise their avatars to look more like them. As such there are more types of eyes, noses, beards, hairstyles and outfits to choose from. More items will be added through 2022.

“This also marks the first time any of our Avatars have been available on Instagram,” noted Shorman.

NFL in Meta

Ahead of this year’s Super Bowl LVI, to be held on 13 February, Meta released a series of NFL-themed outfits for the user avatars to wear.

“We’re excited to partner with the NFL to bring NFL football fandom to Avatars,” wrote Shorman.

Users will now be able to dress their avatars as supporters of NFL teams Cincinnati Bengals or Los Angeles Rams till 28 February. There is also a special Super Bowl LVI shirt for those who choose to be neutral.

(Main and Featured images: Dima Solomin/@solomin_d/Unsplash)

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