Five Hong Kong creatives set to launch new Co-op following ‘InKongbator’ success
Published: 30 June 2025
Five creatives from Hong Kong are poised to form a co-operative business thanks to a partnership between three West Midlands organisations.
The Hong Kongers are set to come together as a co-op to create a business that offers an immersive, touring exhibition of Hong Kong-inspired cityscapes and stories integrated with cultural elements of UK cities.
The creative team formed of Riley, Kiki, Ray, William, and Josephine are putting together their application for Co-operative UK’s Business Support for Co-ops Programme, funded by the Co-operative Bank, which will take them all the way to becoming an incorporated co-op.
A co-op is a business or organisation that is democratically owned and controlled by its members, to meet their shared needs. It’s a form of business proven to be resilient. More than 80 per cent of co-operatives survive their first five years compared to less than 40 per cent of businesses in general.
The five artists met at an InKongbator – a business lab for Hong Kongers at the Core, in Solihull, earlier this year. Creatives were invited to brainstorm their business ideas, with the support of a range of experts, and then present their idea in a Dragons’ Den style pitch. The prize was on-going support to get their business off the ground.
“We didn’t know each other before the InKongbator,” said Riley. “We are so excited to see the idea that we had taking shape and becoming a viable business proposition.”
The InKongbator was the brainchild of Byron, who is a member of Be Water Hongkongers CIC, an organisation dedicated to the support of people from Hong Kong in the UK.
It hurts me that Hong Kongers in the UK are held back from working at the level they were working at in Hong Kong because of language and connection barriers, I wanted to hold an event to help them flourish in business.
Be Water came together with Business Growth West Midlands and the West Midlands Ownership Hub to host the InKongbator.
The West Midlands Ownership Hub is an initiative funded by Power to Change, delivered by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association.
Its role in the WMCA is to strengthen creative industries in the region through the development of co-operatives and employee-owned businesses.
“Our focus is particularly upon people of global majority heritage,” said Jo Ind, West Midlands Ownership Hub co-ordinator. “So I was delighted to be approached by Byron with his idea for the InKongbator. He was friendly, smart and professional and a real pleasure to work with.”
Stephen Harris, from Business Growth West Midlands, said: “It’s rewarding to work with people right at the very start of their business journey. A co-operative is the perfect business model for 5 Senses. I am looking forward to attending their inaugural exhibition.”
5 Senses wins award at InKongbator with judges - Stephen Harris and Jo Ind.
Want to learn more about how co-operatives and employee ownership can support your business?
Explore the West Midlands Ownership Hub to discover tailored advice, events, and funding pathways to help you grow through inclusive business models.
