The former nurse treating the logistical pains of e-commerce businesses

Apr 03, 2025

Cover Lam Wun Chi is the co-founder and CEO of Spaceship, a Hong Kong startup which aims to make global logistics easy to use and accessible for e-commerce merchants (Photo: Spaceship)

Lam Wun Chi is the co-founder and CEO of Spaceship, a Hong Kong startup which aims to make global logistics easy to use and accessible for e-commerce merchants (Photo: Spaceship)

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In 2019, with only two months of funding left, Lam Wun Chi turned a desperate situation into a business opportunity. His solution has since simplified logistics for over 7,500 e-commerce businesses

For e-commerce business owners, shipping hundreds of parcels from Hong Kong to different markets worldwide can be something of a labyrinth. They must comply with a slew of custom regulations, compare courier options and manage packing and shipping.

This is where Spaceship, a logistics platform co-founded by Lam Wun Chi, comes into play. “Logistics is a very traditional and complicated industry due to numerous global policies, including customs declarations and taxes. We aim to simplify this landscape and empower e-commerce merchants to grow globally,” says Lam, the 2023 Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow who transitioned from a nursing career to build Spaceship.

The platform collaborates with more than 100 courier companies to offer shipping services to more than 200 countries, and has developed software that matches the best courier options based on the specifics of the product being sent. Goods can be stored at partner fulfilment centres in Hong Kong and other markets, such as the US, UK, Japan and Singapore, where orders are packaged and dispatched. It also provides real-time data for easy monitoring of stock levels and shipping status.

A journey of self-discovery

Lam’s entrepreneurial journey started in 2004 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he pursued a nursing degree. “I didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted to do in the future. I just wanted to do what I was passionate about,” he explains about his choice of subject. “I planned to save money and eventually start my own business.”

Above Lam and his co-founder Stanley Wong. The two met while playing football (Photo: Spaceship)

Lam and his co-founder Stanley Wong. The two met while playing football (Photo: Spaceship)

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His entrepreneurial journey began with an online shop on Yahoo’s e-commerce platform, where he sourced clothing and shoes from local suppliers to sell. Struggling to connect with classmates about entrepreneurship, he leaned on his business connections he made along the way. “I never really had a formal mentor; I just tried to chat with everyone and learn whatever I could. There is always someone with insights you haven’t come across yet,” he says, adding that this exercise helped him become more outgoing.

His interest in Japanese apparel inspired his first official venture, Kaiser Bloc, designed to allow local consumers to buy a range of goods from Japan at lower prices. He hired computer science students from his university to build a platform in 2011, and is still running the business to date.

Pivoting to a new solution

In 2017, Lam teamed up with Stanley Wong, a friend he played football with, to launch Shopkyo. The company aimed to connect Japanese suppliers to global e-commerce merchants by digitising their product lists and offering logistical support. Yet, its reception in Japan fell short of expectations. Despite substantial investments, Shopkyo’s financial resources dwindled, leaving them with only two months of operating capital after two years. “It was incredibly stressful; it felt like I couldn’t breathe,” Lam admits.

Above A group photo of Spaceship’s team in Taiwan, taken at the company’s booth during a convention (Photo: Spaceship)

A group photo of Spaceship’s team in Taiwan, taken at the company’s booth during a convention (Photo: Spaceship)

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Observing a gap for logistical solutions in a market where traditional postal services remained prevalent, the co-founders pivoted to create Spaceship. Initially designed as a Trivago-like platform for logistics, the goal was to help individual users compare courier and shipping services to find the one that best suited their needs. The platform achieved about HK$40 million in revenue in its first year.

Now, with 7,500 e-commerce merchants primarily from Hong Kong using Spaceship’s services, Lam is eyeing global expansion— beginning with the US. In February, to scale up cost-effectiveness, it opened a new office at the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub.

“I find great satisfaction when customers validate our products and services. It’s about making a meaningful impact on their lives,” Lam says. “I want to create something that influences people’s habits, whether small or large.”

Above Spaceship was a winning startup at the Startup Express competition in 2020 (Photo: Spaceship)

Spaceship was a winning startup at the Startup Express competition in 2020 (Photo: Spaceship)

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Quick take

In his own words, Lam describes himself, his biggest startup lesson and his desired superpower.

Describe yourself in three words.
Lam Wun Chi (WC): Persistent, agile and optimistic.

Share one valuable insight you gained after starting your own business.
WC: I realised that launching your own business is a tough journey. I initially thought it would be easy, but it can be quite challenging if you aim to build something on a larger scale.

What’s your corporate ick?
WC: I can’t stand gossip or people who create exclusive circles. I prefer a transparent and harmonious work environment.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
WC: The ability to read people. Understanding humans is quite challenging, and altering that trait is equally tough. You may invest a lot of time building a relationship, only to find that the other person may harbour negative intentions toward you. If I could have this superpower, it would greatly help form a strong team. Developing the ability to read someone takes time and involves plenty of trial and error.

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Topics

Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow Technology Transportation Logistics

Yoyo Chow

Editor, Power & Purpose, Hong Kong, Tatler Hong Kong

Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.

Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.