From Tea Waste to Global Impact: Redefining Eco-Innovation and Inspiring Macao’s Startup Ecosystem

Sep 25

3 min read

At Macao Startup Club, we believe that world-changing innovation can originate anywhere—even from a cup of morning tea.

We are proud to feature Calvin Sio (蕭啟東), Advisory Board Member at Macao Startup Club and Co-founder of Chazence (甡物科技 / 茶甡). Calvin’s journey from a Macao-born designer to an international green tech pioneer exemplifies what happens when local talent meets global vision. By converting spent tea leaves, Chinese medicinal herbs, and organic waste into sustainable materials, Calvin and his team at Chazence are tackling the global plastic waste problem while demonstrating the power of Macao’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The Startup Journey & Eco-Innovation

Calvin’s path toward sustainable innovation began with a keen observation of everyday waste. After early success designing the acclaimed CROZ DIY digital camera made from recycled wood—featured in TIME Magazine’s Top 100 Inventions in 2021—he set his sights on a broader mission: materials science.

Observing the massive quantities of tea leaves discarded daily by milk tea shops and beverage factories, Calvin saw opportunity where others saw waste. In 2018, he assembled a multidisciplinary team bridging product design, biotechnology, and physical engineering. Together, they created proprietary technologies—including “Tea-Fiber Molding” and “Tea-Composite Technologies”—that bind tea waste, bamboo, and botanical residues into durable, eco-friendly materials.

From Local R&D to Greater Bay Expansion

What started as a local Macao initiative quickly transformed into a multi-regional green tech powerhouse:

Tri-Regional Synergy: Chazence built an ecosystem spanning Macao (founding hub), Hengqin/Zhuhai (R&D and strategy), Shenzhen (commercialization), Hong Kong Science Park (international access), and Dongguan (smart manufacturing).
High-Profile Partnerships: Chazence materials have been adopted by global brands like BMW, HEYTEA, and major resort operators such as Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) for landscape resource upcycling programs.
Global Scale: Supported by venture partners like Gobi Partners, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, and Aubin Group, Chazence is expanding its bio-based material solutions across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Leading by Example for the Macao Community

Beyond building a high-growth company, Calvin remains deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of founders in Macao. As an Advisory Board Member of the Macao Startup Club, he actively works to bridge the gap between local ideas and cross-border expansion.

For Macao’s emerging startup community, Calvin serves as proof of concept. He demonstrates that local founders do not need to be constrained by geographical boundaries or traditional industry models. By leveraging the synergies of the Greater Bay Area (GBA)—combining Macao’s international connections with mainland manufacturing and Hong Kong’s capital markets—founders can scale global solutions directly from home.

Through hands-on mentorship and community initiatives, Calvin advocates for:

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Bringing designers, engineers, and scientists together to build defensible IP.
Circular Economy Integration: Helping traditional Macao enterprises adapt to global sustainability standards (SDGs).
Active Ecosystem Building: Creating pathways for young Macao talent to gain regional and international venture experience.

Key Takeaways for Young Founders

Think Beyond Regional Borders From Day One: Treat Macao as your launchpad, but build your supply chain, strategic partnerships, and customer base using the broader resources of the Greater Bay Area and global markets.
Build Cross-Disciplinary Teams: Groundbreaking products often happen at the intersection of different fields. Surround yourself with co-founders and advisors whose skills complement your own.
Turn Constraints into Competitive Advantages: Whether it's converting industrial waste into premium bio-materials or turning market limitations into lean operational strategies, true entrepreneurial resilience lies in reframing challenges as opportunities.

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