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Storage service startup Mini Koala Limited announced today (February 18) that it has opened its headquarters in Hong Kong. The company plans to take advantage of the city's international status and dynamic startup environment to expand its business globally.
Mini Koala's latest offering, AirBox, is an innovative on-demand storage service that seeks to revolutionise the personal storage sector. Unlike traditional services, AirBox uses the latest technology to allow its customers to manage their belongings online and through the AirBox mobile application. Customers can check on the location of their AirBoxes, search through what they have stored, and even share their AirBoxes for use with friends and family. Each AirBox has a built-in Bluetooth lock, which can only be unlocked through the AirBox mobile application. The company's founder, Mr Sean Qin, said AirBox is the world's first patented Bluetooth-enabled storage box.
Speaking on why he decided to start operations in Hong Kong, Mr Qin said, "Not only does Hong Kong have great business potential but it is also a unique international city that will help us to promote our services globally. Hong Kong will serve as our headquarters for the entire Asian region, and from our base here, we plan to introduce new services and expand our business to other Asian markets next year."
He added, "Hong Kong is a small place but there is huge demand for storage services. Although there have been various storage services available in the city already, our new technology differentiates us in this competitive market. We want to add value to the industry by bringing our innovative Internet-based storage services to potential customers."
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Andrew Davis welcomed the opening of Mini Koala Limited in Hong Kong and said, "We are happy to see that the company is using Hong Kong as its base to go global. We hope to see more innovative companies, like Mini Koala, set up in the city and bring new technology and ideas to the community. We wish every success to the company and look forward to seeing it introduce more new services."
About Mini Koala Limited
Mini Koala Limited is a startup founded by Mr Sean Qin, who graduated from Harvard University and worked for the US White House and management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Mini Koala Limited has raised over US$10 million in funding from various venture capital firms, including GGV Capital, an early backer of Alibaba, Pandora, Flipboard and more, since it started its business two years ago. Mini Koala currently has operations in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai with plans for further expansion. For more information, please visit www.airbox.hk.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As of December 2014, InvestHK had completed over 3,440 investment projects creating more than 37,500 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$91 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157648559984853/.
Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:10
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