Large enterprises and start-ups focus on tech-driven solutions
Bottom line for all this is cost saving, better servicing, improving the customer experience, and reducing the overall operating cost of a company
Fintech is increasingly being driven by big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), and is being used for a range of applications from credit underwriting and banking compliance processes to the use of robo-advisers for investment recommendations.
“People have become very interested in big data and AI and they are growing rapidly. Large enterprises and start-ups are spending much more effort on building business cases in these areas and applying these technologies to solve complex problems,” says Alex So, managing partner, FastLane Group and its investment arm FastLane Venture, which specialises in early stage companies with a focus on technology driven sectors.
The public perception of fintech and AI is often surrounding BitCoin and BlockChain, but start-ups are going much deeper than this. Practical applications include AI systems that show customer trends; that predict when a customer will stop buying; can analyse a product’s public perception or forecast demand to order new stock in advance. These tech-driven solutions can enhance the supply chain, particularly in the cold chain and e-commerce fulfilment, allowing for a clearer picture of the product journey from production to packaging, and delivery.
From a long-term developmental standpoint, Hong Kong is very strong in ‘Fin’, but not strong in ‘tech’
The bottom line for all this is cost saving, better servicing, improving the customer experience, and reducing the overall operating cost of a company. AI and machine learning, for example, involve the analysing of preset scripts and customers’ past purchasing to enable better interactions.
“I have come across applications involving chat bots powered by AI to improve call centre services level without adding additional human cost,” So says. The government is starting to notice these developments and seeking to collaborate with the private sector. The Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council released The Future of FinTech in Hong Kong report last month, pointing out that as financial services contributes 18 per cent of Hong Kong’s GDP and 6 per cent of its employment, it would be prudent to develop the industry. The council also recognised the city’s weaknesses in developing fintech, pointing out market saturation, outdated financial regulations, minimal public sector co-ordination, lack of expertise in tech innovation and high costs. “From a long-term developmental standpoint, Hong Kong is very strong in ‘Fin’, but not strong in ‘tech’. And there is competition as other centres move rapidly ahead with their own fintech initiatives,” the report said.
Many of these fintech solutions, including those in cybersecurity, payments and securities settlement, digital identification, data analytics, automation and AI, along with technology for regulatory compliance, are suited to technology-savvy B2B service providers. The increased number of start-up accelerator programmes in the city and across the world, along with venture capital firms, will play a crucial role in developing this. The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association estimated last month that the global deal flow in fintech grew by more than 10 per cent in 2016, with 43 per cent of global funding coming out of Asia.
An advantage for B2B start-ups is that they bypass costs in marketing and client acquisition faced by consumer facing products, while seeing more openness with corporations ready to deal with them. “For B2B, start-ups can provide more tailor-made solutions and hopefully it can leverage from one tailor-made solution to another customer within the same industry,” So says.
