Derek Cheung (born 23 December 1990) is a Hong Kong businessman, founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Esports Limited, and a board member of the Hong Kong Game Industry Association. He is also an international esports player and has been dubbed the "father of Hong Kong esports" by the media. Born into a prominent business family from Fujian, he moved from investment banking into the esports industry in 2013, founding a company that runs professional teams for several popular games.
Family and early life
Cheung belongs to the fourth generation of the Chung Yik Chong family, whose Fujian roots and business interests include property development. He was educated in Hong Kong and in England before enrolling at the University of Southern California, where he studied economics and graduated in 2012. After working in investment banking, he turned to the esports sector in 2013, and in 2018 he was named to Forbes Asia's 30 Under 30 list in the consumer technology category.
Esports and public profile
Hong Kong Esports Limited, founded by Cheung, operates professional teams for games including Honor of Kings, League of Legends and Clash Royale, with players drawn mainly from Hong Kong and Taiwan. In 2016 the company moved its game divisions to Taiwan while keeping its multimedia and administrative operations in Hong Kong. Cheung has also become known through his YouTube channel and through boxing events that drew large audiences.