Mentalok Story: A Journey of Transformation from R&D to EdTech
In Hong Kong's competitive market, entrepreneurs often stall due to technical barriers, lack of funding, and resource constraints. Founded in 2020, Mentalok has evolved from an R&D team to an emotional support app developer, and now to a promoter of local tech education. This shift stems from a simple discovery: as AI tools become ubiquitous, the real bottleneck is no longer technology itself, but the lack of guidance and methodology.
Origin: From Public Groups to an Emotional Support Platform
In 2020, the Mentalok team joined various 'public sea' groups to understand user needs deeply. We found that what many Hong Kong people needed wasn't professional counseling (high barrier and inflexible timing), but a safe, anonymous, and readily available 1-on-1 emotional support space.
Thus, we developed the Mentalok App (iOS/Android), utilizing AI and NLP technology to allow users to anonymously match and chat in a safe environment mixing rule-based and NLP sentiment analysis. In 2021, we officially joined the HKSTP 'Incu-App' program (now 'Incubation Programme') and the NVIDIA 'Inception Programme'.
Cross-Domain Exploration: From Emotional Support to Behavioral Models
Behavorial Models
The team combined DSM-IV and DSM-5 psychiatric frameworks with proprietary data for behavioral model analysis. This not only optimized our operational risk management but was also innovatively applied in 2023 to simulate secondary market participant behavior, discovering alternative factors and Alpha signals. The team also cultivated a habit of deep manual review to drive innovation.
Cross-domain Research
Since 2022, we've partnered with local universities, listed companies, and institutions. Collaborating with a local university's medical school, we've guided over 30 master's students in research projects spanning medicine, nutrition, sports science, psychology, and emotional support over the past 3 years.
AI Empowerment
We discovered that non-technical students, using modern AI tools, can easily build solutions—using LLMs for RPA, Chatbots, RAG applications, or even mobile apps.
Did you get someone to help write the code?
A psychology student once developed a full app prototype in two weeks. When asked, he said, 'No, I used the method you taught, AI wrote it for me.' At that moment, we realized: perhaps teaching the methodology of developing with AI is more valuable than the app we develop ourselves.
Mission Evolution: From Tool Provider to Enabler
Equation 1
One app serving 10,000 users = Helping 10,000 people
Equation 2
Teaching 100 people to develop apps = Creating 100 products = Potentially helping hundreds of thousands
The second path has greater impact but is more challenging. In 2023, we graduated from the Incu-App program and became an HKSTP partner company. When we realized we had a replicable methodology, we thought: why not share this systematic experience with more people?
33-Hour AI Vibe-Coding & Tech Startup Course
In September 2025, we officially launched public classes with the 'Vibe-Coding & Tech Startup Course'. This is not just a new business branch—tech education—but a practical action responding to the vision of Hong Kong becoming an international innovation and technology center.
Course Design Philosophy
We know the pain points of working professionals: having ideas, motivation, and domain knowledge, but stuck at 'not knowing coding'. In the AI era, you don't need to learn syntax; you need to learn how to collaborate with AI—you describe the 'vibe', AI writes the code. Then, apply correct cognition and capital operation concepts to develop prototypes and apply for government funding to enter incubators like HKSTP or Cyberport.
Six Modules in 33 Hours:
- 1Product Conception: Idea validation, team formation & equity planning
- 2Marketing: MVP testing & business models, finding PMF
- 3Funding Application: HK startup ecosystem guide, HKSTP/Cyberport applications
- 4AI Development Basics: Vibe-Coding intro, AI-led frontend/backend development
- 5Infrastructure: Cloud deployment & API integration
- 6Product Delivery: App Store (iOS/Android) listing & dashboard development
Target Audience
Our goal is clear: to nurture more innovation and technology talent for Hong Kong. Mentalok has guided many working students to successfully launch products and get accepted into incubators. After graduation, you'll join an exclusive community (Discord & WhatsApp) to exchange ideas with mentors, alumni, and peers.
Register Now, Start Your Tech Startup Journey!
The first cohort started in Sept 2025. Classes are on Monday evenings to suit working professionals.
The next cohort starts in Jan 2026. Eligible applicants can apply for government funding.
如果你...
Welcome to learn more and join the Jan 2026 cohort (Limited Seats): Visit Mentalok Website or WhatsApp for course and funding details.
About Mentalok
Founded in 2020, Mentalok evolved from an R&D team to an emotional support AI platform and then to an entrepreneurship education institution. Joined HKSTP Incu-App and NVIDIA Inception in 2021. The team applies DSM frameworks to behavioral models and financial market analysis. Collaborating with universities and corporations, we cultivate a culture of deep cross-domain research. Since Sept 2025, we offer public courses to nurture tech talent in Hong Kong.