--- title: "Hong Kong Startup Scene Beginnings with Jon Buford" slug: "hk-startup-begin-jon-buford" type: "archive" url: "https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/" canonical_url: "https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/" date_published: "2013-12-30T02:04:20+00:00" description: "GFA014. This is a jam packed session about how the Hong Kong startup community spark started and how the first coworking space, BootHK was established. Leading into Jon's latest venture Makible which has traction and funding - Jon shares the story. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. The next series goes into the 3 structures when raising startup capital." --- # Hong Kong Startup Scene Beginnings with Jon Buford [![Jonbuford](https://globalfromanywhere.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Jonbuford.png)](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/) Podcast: [Play in new window](https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_global_from_asia/p/podcast.globalfromasia.com/gfa14.mp3 "Play in new window") | [Download](https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_global_from_asia/s/podcast.globalfromasia.com/gfa14.mp3 "Download") Subscribe: [RSS](https://globalfromanywhere.com/feed/podcast/ "Subscribe via RSS") This is a jam packed session about how the Hong Kong startup community spark started and how the first coworking space, BootHK was established. Leading into Jon’s latest venture Makible which has traction and funding – Jon shares the story. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. The next series goes into the 3 structures when raising startup capital. ## About Jon Buford A startup entrepreneur, founded Hong Kong’s first co-work space BootHK and currently building up Makible.com A Carnegie Melon robotics and mech engineering graduate. ## Topics Covered in this Episode * **BootHk and startup community in hk** – Jon’s story of how Hong Kong startup scene evolved – in 2008 he was doing a project management system, 2009 Cyberport held a forum for technology startups. * StartupsHK starting to host coffee shop meet ups, “self help” for startups * 500 people at StartupsHK’s first Startup Saturday August 2010 * Beginnings of Boot.hk coworking space * Hackerspace and Coworking beginning in Boot.hk * Opening Boot.hk in October 2010 with $15,000usd raised / committed in Wan Chai district, 1,000 square feet space. 15 – 20 active members working in the space at any given time. * Weekly meet ups, “Startup Monday” – From 6 to 8 people at those first coffee shop meet ups to a standing room only meet up at Boot.hk * During his boot.hk time, he was transitioning for a new business * **Makible story how it started** – Started Makible – for crowd funding and better manufacturing * Makibot, an affordable 3D printer that was listed in the makible platform, was a huge success, and it became Makible’s flagship product * **Future of Makible** – a Hong Kong rapid manufacturing space by mid 2014 * Makible’s Fundraising process- Process of raising funds for his startup * How to get a position of strength when raising funds * Tips for early stage startups in hk or considering relocating to Hong Kong ## People / Companies / Resources Mentioned in this Episode Contacting Jon: Twitter – [@JonBuford](http://twitter.com/jonbuford) [Makibot 3D printer](http://www.makibot.com) [Startups HK](http://www.startupshk.com) [InvestHK](http://www.investhk.gov.hk) [Jon and Makibot featured on Bloomberg](https://web.archive.org/web/20130622035010/http://www.bloomberg.com:80/video/3d-printing-for-200-this-company-makes-it-reality-SCqFp5fOS_aslZTs~rs10A.html) ## Episode Length: 24:47 ## Download Options * Direct Download: Right-click [here](https://podcast.globalfromasia.com/gfa14.mp3) and click “Save As” for a direct download * iTunes: [Listen and subscribe](https://globalfromanywhere.com/itunes) on iTunes for free! * Android: Listen via [Stitcher Internet Radio](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/global-from-asia-doing-business-via-hong-kong) streaming * If you enjoyed this episode, leave a positive review on [iTunes](https://globalfromanywhere.com/itunes)! https://www.youtube.com/embed/9S0LAxUGkPA?feature=oembed
## Comments ## 9 Comments on “Hong Kong Startup Scene Beginnings with Jon Buford” 1. Pingback: [GFA15 - 3 Ways to Raise Funds & Differences of USA from Hong Kong](https://globalfromanywhere.com/3-ways-to-structure-funding-hk/) 2. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54a7760849ed2840f9f91f7dcfe7363d?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) Chi [01.20.2014 at 10:09 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-14) Very interesting content, but a bit painful to listen to due to the audio quality. Good show man 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/926e75fedc0f11436c0f27819f63fbfe?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) [Michael Michelini](http://blog.michaelmichelini.com) [01.20.2014 at 10:13 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-15) Oh man, Sorry to hear that… how about other episodes.? 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54a7760849ed2840f9f91f7dcfe7363d?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) Chi [01.20.2014 at 10:28 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-16) Most are ok, even ep15 (probably the same session) is not too bad, this one is especially tinny and I really have to concentrate to listen 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/926e75fedc0f11436c0f27819f63fbfe?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) [Michael Michelini](http://blog.michaelmichelini.com) [01.20.2014 at 10:36 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-17) Weird… episode 14 and 15 were recorded at the same time…. I wanted to meet Jon in person but due to my passport processing of work permit I couldn’t get to meet him for 3 weeks… so didn’t want to delay I think I will only do future interviews in person. .. Ep14 and 15 with Jon is via phone Ep16 with Jo Chan is via phone Ep17 with Jennifer Cheng is in person Ep18 in person Ep19 in person 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54a7760849ed2840f9f91f7dcfe7363d?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) Chi [01.20.2014 at 11:20 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-18) Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to stop me from listening, it would just make it that much nicer. Look forward to the podcasts to come. Thanks for all the great info. 2. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/926e75fedc0f11436c0f27819f63fbfe?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) [Michael Michelini](http://blog.michaelmichelini.com) [01.20.2014 at 11:23 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-19) Cool I can give u a shoutout In an upcoming episode! 3. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54a7760849ed2840f9f91f7dcfe7363d?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) Chi [01.21.2014 at 11:13 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-20) That would be pretty cool, Thx. I’m in the process of starting my own project getfit hk, your podcast is very handy 4. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/926e75fedc0f11436c0f27819f63fbfe?s=120&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalfromasia.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Fgfa_avatar.png&r=g) [Michael Michelini](http://blog.michaelmichelini.com) [01.21.2014 at 11:22 am](https://globalfromanywhere.com/hk-startup-begin-jon-buford/#comment-21) Awesome! Congrats on the venture! Happy to hear the podcasts are helpful. Motivates me!