Michael Cheng (businessman)
Michael Cheng | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | Chinese Canadian |
| Alma mater | Simon Fraser University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
Michael Cheng is a Canadian entrepreneur.[1] Cheng co-founded Sniply, Beta Collective, Covr, Needle HR, WittyCookie, TEDxSFU, and 12 other ventures.[2]
Early life and education
Cheng was born an only child in Hong Kong and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia at the age of 7.[1][3] While in high school Cheng started a business called Auto Quick Trade.[1] Cheng studied Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and was "offered a lecturer’s position, teaching digital design" during his freshman year.[1]
Career
In 2009, Cheng co-founded International Student Connection, an international student agency that was named "Best New Student Business of the Year".[4]
In 2011, Cheng launched TEDxSFU, an annual TEDx event at Simon Fraser University.[5] That year, Cheng also co-founded WittyCookie which offers website creation and maintenance to small businesses.[6]
In 2012, Cheng was selected by the Surrey Board of Trade as one of the "Top 25 Under 25" entrepreneurs.[3] He was also given the "SFU Entrepreneur of the Year" award[1][7] and the "Surrey Business Excellence Award".[8]
In 2013, Cheng co-founded Needle HR, an Internet marketplace for web designers and other creative services.[9] Cheng received "The Satchu Prize" and "Outstanding Venture Award" from educational organization, The Next 36[10][11]. and was selected by Maclean's Magazine as one of the "Future Leaders of Canada".[1] He was also selected by 24 Hours (newspaper) as one of "Top 24 Under 24".[12]
In 2014, Cheng co-founded Covr,[13] a music discovery platform,[14] and was selected by BCBusiness as one of "Top 30 Under 30".[15] That year, Cheng also co-founded Sniply, an online marketing tool,[16] as well as Beta Collective,[17] the first Coworking space in Surrey, British Columbia.[18]
References
- ^ a b c d e f MacDonald, Nancy. Canada’s Future Leaders Under 25. Maclean’s. April 12, 2013.
- ^ Czikk, Joseph. Both Failure and Success Define Entrepreneurs Like Snip.ly's Michael Cheng. Betakit.
- ^ a b Scott, Alec. Where Canada’s next billion-dollar idea is being hatched. The Globe and Mail.
- ^ Diakiw, Kevin. Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 honoured. Surrey Leader.
- ^ SFU Surrey student hosts local TED Conference Archived 2015-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. The Now (newspaper).
- ^ Meadahl, Marianne. WittyCookie founder nets fourth award. SFU.
- ^ Toth, Spencer. SFU Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. Enactus.
- ^ Surrey Business Excellence Award Winners Archived 2014-07-28 at the Wayback Machine. The Now (newspaper).
- ^ Czikk, Joseph. How The Next 36’s Needle HR is Changing the Creative Industry. Techvibes.
- ^ Maimona, Mashoka. The Next 36 venture day: Program adds 36 new graduates. Financial Post.
- ^ Poon, Christopher. Young entrepreneur noticed nationally Archived 2013-10-19 at the Wayback Machine. The Now (newspaper).
- ^ Czikk, Joseph. Next 36 Alum Named Among Top 24 Under 24. Betakit.
- ^ Czikk, Joseph. Next 36 Grad Michael Cheng Launches Platform for Discovering the Greatest Musicians You've Never Heard Of. Betakit.
- ^ Woods, Ben. If you love cover versions, check out Covr’s music discovery platform. The Next Web.
- ^ Czikk, Joseph. BC Business Releases Inaugural 30 Under 30 List. Betakit.
- ^ Ali, Anwar. Are incubators relevant to all startups? How Snip.ly profited from not making the cut. Financial Post.
- ^ Czikk, Joseph. SFU Alumni Launch Surrey Coworking Space, Beta Collective. Betakit.
- ^ Bjornson, Leah. Alumni make space for Surrey entrepreneurs. The Peak (newspaper).