Terence Kwok

Terence Kwok is a notable entrepreneur and the founder of Tink Labs, a Hong Kong-based startup he established in 2012. Under his leadership, Tink Labs became recognized for its innovative product, Handy, which provided hotel guests with smartphones to use during their stay, enabling them to avoid high roaming charges and enhancing their overall travel experience. At its peak, Tink Labs was valued at over $1 billion, becoming one of Hong Kong's most well-funded startups and reaching a global presence in over 600,000 hotel rooms across 80 countries by 2017.156

Despite its initial success, Tink Labs faced significant challenges that ultimately led to its closure in August 2019. The company reportedly burned through $170 million in investor funds and struggled with unsustainable business practices, including aggressive expansion without profitability. This culminated in mass layoffs and operational shutdowns, marking a rapid decline from its unicorn status.234

Following the collapse of Tink Labs, Kwok shifted his focus to the blockchain sector and is currently the CEO of Humanity Protocol, a company that aims to provide privacy-focused identity solutions using biometric verification methods. Humanity Protocol has gained attention as a competitor to Worldcoin and has successfully raised $30 million in funding.23 Kwok's current venture emphasizes building a sustainable business model, contrasting with the pitfalls that led to Tink Labs' downfall.13

Kwok holds a degree from the University of Chicago and is proficient in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, and French.4 His career reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for enhancing user experiences in both hospitality and identity verification sectors.