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Mettā is an invite-only hybrid space is meant to cultivate community, host live events and be a place entrepreneurs can call home

From Left to Right: Simon Squibb, Founder of Nest, Jennifer Liu, the Founder and Chairman of Sir Hudson International/ The Coffee Academics and Tony Verb the Managing Partner of Mettā

Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong district stretches along a winding, hilly street and is infamous for what happens after the sun goes down.

But today, with the launch of a new hybrid entrepreneurial club called Mettā, the neighborhood may soon be known as much for startups as it is for bars, clubs and late night half-memories.

Mettā is a members-only platform invested in, and backed by, Nest, the global incubator headquartered in Hong Kong. Nest’s aim is to connect startups with corporate partners.

The space is something of a ‘Co-working space meets traditional club’ and is founded on three principles; community, live events and being a place entrepreneurs can call home.

Member’s can use the space to attend small-scale events, workshops as well as networking events. Its central location in Hong Kong will also be attractive to host meetings and connect with potential clients.

The approval process is an invite-only referral programme.

Also Read: Snap, crop, buy: Hong Kong’s fashion discovery startup Goxip raises US$1.62M seed round

After the Hong Kong launch, Mettā will expand in other cities across the world.

“Mettā is opening today to bring startup communities, ecosystems and all forward-thinking, collaborative minds closer together in a meaningful way. We are creating a new way for people to collaborate, connect, and ultimately drive innovation forward in Hong Kong and beyond,” said Tony Verb, Managing Partner of Mettā in an official statement.

Let’s take a look

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying attended the opening ceremony (in middle of ribbon).

Quite a crowd turned out for the launch of Mettā, which Nest Founder Simon Squibb said is, “A revolutionary concept
and is truly innovative in the industry”. More than 170 people showed up.

The space features a brew bar from Coffee Academics, a company known for sourcing beans from across the world and using fancy equipment.

“Having Mettā in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong, it will elevate the whole area as well as Hong Kong as the hub of entrepreneurship and I believe it will also pose a positive impact on the ecosystem,” said Allan Zeman the Founder and Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group (an organisation designed to build and support the neighborhood’s brand).

The 5,000 sq. foot (1,524 sq. metres) Mettā clubhouse is located in the heart of Hong Kong and surrounded by the city’s famous skyscrapers.

The club hopes to bring together like-minded people with a passion for business and innovation.

And while the space will host daily events, the goal of any entrepreneurial venture is to, well, get work done.

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All photos courtesy of Nest.

The post Beers, shots, and…startups? Nest launches new entrepreneurial space in Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong appeared first on e27.

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