Gene Soo

Gene Soo is Head of Ecosystem at MTR Corporation’s Global Innovation Department, where he supports innovation initiatives across Hong Kong and MTR’s international operations. His work focuses on turning ideas into practical pilots, with the aim of scaling solutions that improve urban mobility, enhance passenger experience, and contribute to more sustainable operations.

Gene is personally committed to environmental sustainability and is an active recycler. He regularly uses MTR’s Carbon Wallet and Hong Kong’s Green@Community network to reduce waste and support circular practices in daily life.

At MTR, Gene helps drive digital transformation, supports the development and commercialization of new solutions, and fosters collaboration across departments and with external partners. He also works to encourage a culture of experimentation and openness to new ways of working.

Prior to joining MTR, Gene brought Citymapper to Hong Kong and co-founded StartupsHK, contributing to the city’s growing tech and startup community. He holds a BS and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Columbia University.

My Sustainability Goals for 2025:

Connect Innovation with Impact

Share real-world examples of how emerging technologies—especially AI, digital tools, and platform thinking—can drive measurable progress in sustainability, from smarter resource use to more efficient urban systems.

Make AI Tangible for Sustainability

Help audiences understand how AI is transforming the way we live, work, move, and consume, and how we can harness it to make more informed and responsible decisions as individuals, communities, and organizations.

Demystify the Intersection of Tech, Mobility, and Climate
Simplify the narrative around sustainability and innovation by sharing stories that show how new approaches—like behavior nudges, digital incentives (e.g., Carbon Wallet), and circular practices—can shift systems and culture.

Encourage Systems Thinking and Cross-Sector Collaboration
Advocate for breaking down silos and building ecosystems of collaboration across public, private, and civic sectors to scale sustainable solutions more effectively.

Champion a Mindset Shift
Inspire corporate and civic audiences to adopt a mindset of agility, experimentation, and long-term thinking, using innovation not just for efficiency but for positive societal and environmental change.