The serial entrepreneur and creative visionary sits down with Generation T
Business Matters is a regular series where entrepreneurs share what matters to them.
Generation T lister Ivan Pun has reputation for being a consummate host and the life and soul of the party. But don’t mistake him for a party boy. The hardworking Hong Konger, third son of Myanmar property tycoon Serge Pun, works across restaurants, art and culture with his multinational lifestyle venture Pun + Projects.
The company operates F&B outlets—including ‘restaurant on holiday’ Port Autonomy—and spearheads creative ventures designed to aid the cultural rejuvenation of downtown Yangon.
His latest project in Hong Kong is Hawkr, a fast-casual restaurant serving Southeast Asian classics, which Pun launched with Jake Astor and Korean chef Mina Park. The chain is expanding rapidly, having opened two locations in the last six months and with plans for a third in the pipeline.
Here, he tells Generation T what matters to him.
I was raised between four different cultures: Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar and Britain. I think it makes you more versatile. When you’re constantly moving between cultures, you just become used to the constant contrast. It really influences the way you do things and gives you very broad views and interests.
Hong Kong is always going to be home, but Yangon is also a very special place for me. I’ve lived there for the past six years and it’s the place I began this entrepreneurial journey and done projects I’m most excited about.
