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Ray Chan

Ray Chan (Age 28) is the CEO and co-founder of online platform for humour, 9GAG (hyperlink), since its launch in the year 2008. Along with his team of four, he started the website as a side project, while he had full-time jobs elsewhere. He had a range of jobs before 9GAG became his full-time occupation.

Career

For instance, Chan’s first job upon graduation from the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong was in the legal department of a bank, despite the fact that he did not meet the requirements to be a lawyer. Following that, he became an anchor as well as reporter working for Now TV for a 10 month period. Soon after, he was employed by an IT company as a project manager, wherein his job role revolved around responding to emails and thinking of ideas, primarily. In 2007, he realised the scope the internet had for development and subsequently joined a firm as product manager at aNobii, which was essentially an online platform for book lovers, acquired by a new venture backed by HMV Group, Harper Collins, Penguin and Random House in 2010. While working for this firm, he launched 9GAG as a side project and four years later in 2011, he quit his job in order to focus on it entirely.

9GAG was Chan’s first of three websites launched that was found its way to success. Prior to it, he established a website to share cosmetics in addition to a website for information on electrical appliances, both of which did not really take off.

Personal Life and Background

As for his background, Ray has a younger sister and a younger brother (Chris Chan), who is also a cofounder of 9GAG. During his university days at the University of Hong Kong, he was a member of the university lacrosse team and a captain of the university debate team too. On campus, he lived in the Ricci House - an all-boys dormitory, where he says he made many a brother.

Before his university days, Ray Chan grew up in Tuen Mun where he and his family lived in a public housing estate. Coming from a simple, grassroots background, Ray and his brother started doing summer jobs from form three in secondary school, upon their parents’ request. During another summer, Ray even interned at a Taoist Temple in Tuen Mun called Ching Chung Koon. Ray Chan’s parents don’t have a very high education level owing to their grassroots background; they are, however, very open-minded when it comes to his job.

Commentary on 9GAG authorship controversy

With regards to the authorship controversy, says Chan:

“I won’t say it is right or wrong for copying the idea or contents from other companies in an ethical manner, the operation processes provide much information, such as marketing, which is worth-to-learn for the owners of business. The production team of 9GAG is willing to have a try first, and then to make adjustment for improving the contents of the webpage.”

Chan always stresses on the ethos of the website as one that spreads humour as opposed to creates it

Public Appearances

Given his experience and entrepreneurial expertise, Ray is often invited to share his story at various events and places. He was keynote speaker at PingWest’s one-day conference at CoCoon and also featured at the ‘Echelon 2014: The Pulse of Asia's Innovation’ event and also at the ICT New Waves Symposium in 2013. In addition, he has been invited to universities in Hong Kong including his alma mater, the University of Hong Kong as well as Polytechnic University as a speaker. Lastly, he has made many an appearance on YouTube channels such as DailySocialTV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFHjnTHLfXc) and Last Business Blog.