For Terry TSANG (Graduate of HKUST MBA, MPhil (CIVL), BEng (CIVL)), the path to success as an entrepreneur was clear long before he set foot in a corporate boardroom. After graduating from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), he began by co-founding a gaming company, Madhead, alongside his brother. The initial years were challenging, but a far-sighted management philosophy, honed by his experiences at university, proved the key to finding success for the start-up.
“Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of my approach,” Tsang says. “I believe in sharing all essential information and decision-making power with my team, because I want them to experience a true sense of ownership and responsibility.”
This commitment to empowerment extends to a revenue-sharing program, which ensures the team’s hard work is directly reflected in their compensation. Other innovative benefits include fully funded health check-ups for staff and their families, reflecting core values of kindness and care.
“At the end of the day, success isn’t solely about financial return,” Tsang says. “It is about creating an environment where people feel valued, respected and inspired to do their best work.”
This approach has yielded positive results over the years, with the company achieving remarkable growth built on the team’s unwavering loyalty. The impact, though, can be seen far beyond the immediate confines of the business.
Early influences
Growing up, Terry’s early memories of HKUST were not of academic buildings or state-of-the-art facilities, but of his father working as a campus security guard in the 1990s.
“My father’s dedication to the university instilled in me a deep sense of connection that I’ve carried with me ever since,” Tsang says.
The link was strengthened when he attended a transformative summer camp at HKUST while at secondary school. He began to see himself as a future student and was captivated by the energy and the sense of potential all around. It was a pivotal moment, convincing him that: “This is where I wanted to be”.
Later, pursuing a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering, he excelled academically, but it was the aftermath of a personal tragedy that ultimately shaped the course of his professional life.
In his final year of study, Tsang’s father suddenly passed away, leaving him distraught and unsure about his future. The outpouring of support from classmates, professors and the HKUST community carried him through this difficult time.
“The university rallied around in my darkest moments,” he says. “The care and the kindness I experienced is something that I’ll never forget.”
In particular, one classmate helped to draft a letter to the Student Affairs Office.
“Within two days, they provided an emergency fund to help me through that period,” he says.
This gesture and the swift response left a lasting impression which later became the driving force behind Tsang’s entrepreneurial ambitions and commitment to the university.
Cheering for the new graduates at the Congregation, 2024
Wider and stronger network
Now, as Chairman of the HKUST Convocation, his mission is to strengthen ties with and between the ever-growing network of graduates. With over 100,000 members, the Convocation is a hub for alumni engagement and Tsang’s recent initiatives include everything from dinners with distinguished guest speakers to a unique campaign rewarding donors with personalized AI-generated pins.
However, Terry’s commitment to HKUST goes even further. He and his brother, Terence Tsang (also an HKUST alum) have pledged a HK$20 million donation to HKUST to support the development of the University. In recognition of the Tsang brothers' continued support, HKUST named Tower A and Tower B on campus after their late parents.
“For me, HKUST is not just a university; it is our home,” he says. “I hope other graduates feel that connection and to know they are part of something greater than themselves.”
In looking to the future, Tsang hopes to see HKUST recognized as a world-class institution excelling in new areas and disciplines. He is determined to contribute to that goal.
“My hope is that one day, my own children can study at HKUST too,” he says, with an obvious sense of pride.
Hosting the Annual Poon Choi Fung-Raising Dinner in the Atrium to connect with alumni, 2024