All types of entrepreneurial activities recorded an increase in both cities, which is a sign of a growing economy and of the revival of entrepreneurial spirit of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

In mid-2016, 9.44% of Hong Kong adult population was engaging in early stage entrepreneurial activities of any kind. This represents a large increase from 3.64% reported in 2009 and significantly reverses the previously recorded slump in entrepreneurial activity of Hong Kong resulting from the global economic crisis. This is driven by the nascent entrepreneurial activity of Hong Kong adult population, which grew +206% since 2009. In Shenzhen, 16.04% reported nascent or new entrepreneurial activities under way, which represents a staggering +234% change compared with statistics from 2009, when the early-stage entrepreneurship rates in the general population were at 4.8%. Contrary to Hong Kong, this growth is driven by baby businesses that were set up in the city within last 3.5 years. Additionally, Shenzhen has recorded a dramatic change in the established business prevalence rates of +398%.

One interpretation of these results may be that while entrepreneurial activities have been on the rise for a few years now in Shenzhen, the intensified interest in startingup in Hong Kong is a fairly new phenomenon.