In a video by the University of Adelaide promoting its Bachelor of Media program, Hinney Lo, Managing Director and Founder of PixelForce, reflects on his journey from passion to profession. This feature showcases how formal education provides the foundational knowledge that allows creative individuals to build successful technology businesses.
Hinney shares how he turned a personal interest in media and technology into a thriving career. What many people recognise as coincidence or luck was actually the result of deliberate skill-building, continuous learning, and the willingness to take calculated risks. For Hinney, the University of Adelaide's Bachelor of Media program provided not just theoretical knowledge, but exposure to industry practices and mentorship from practitioners actively working in the field.
What began as a hobby evolved into PixelForce, now a leading app and web development company employing over 25 talented individuals. Today, with a 60-strong team distributed across multiple locations and working with clients globally, PixelForce represents the potential that exists when education meets entrepreneurship. The journey from a university assignment with a classmate to a multi-million dollar organisation serves as a powerful illustration of what is possible.
In the video, Hinney explains how the Bachelor of Media program helped him build the foundational skills necessary to start and grow his business. University education provided more than just technical knowledge - it offered exposure to strategic thinking, project management, and the ability to articulate ideas to diverse stakeholders. These soft skills proved just as valuable as technical expertise when it came to running a business.
He emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and turning it into something meaningful. Throughout PixelForce's growth, the company has stayed true to a core mission: to create digital products that matter. This commitment to purpose, rather than purely chasing revenue, has attracted talented people and built lasting client relationships. When team members feel connected to the work's purpose, they invest more deeply and achieve better results.
His experience serves as an inspiring story for students who aspire to transform their creative interests into successful ventures. The path from student to entrepreneur is not linear - it requires persistence, the ability to learn from failure, and support from people who believe in your vision. The University of Adelaide played that supporting role for Hinney, and continues to do so for PixelForce through ongoing collaboration and mutual development.
By highlighting the program's role in shaping his career, Hinney showcases how formal education and personal drive can come together to create significant opportunities. Education is not a one-time event that occurs in university - it is a foundation upon which continuous learning is built. PixelForce has become successful precisely because the organisation values ongoing development, stays current with technological change, and invests in helping team members grow.
With a focus on practical skills and a growing digital landscape, Hinney's journey encourages current and future students to take full advantage of their studies and explore the many career paths that media and technology offer. The technology industry is hiring - not just for coding expertise, but for people who can think strategically, communicate effectively, and lead teams. These are skills that a strong university education develops.
The University of Adelaide video serves as a testament to the power of education and entrepreneurial spirit. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the message is clear: invest in your education, develop your skills, identify opportunities that align with your passions, and have the courage to pursue them. Success rarely happens by accident - it results from preparation meeting opportunity, which is exactly what Hinney Lo and the University of Adelaide story demonstrates.
As the technology industry continues to evolve and create new opportunities, businesses like PixelForce will remain dependent on talent with strong educational foundations. The investment in learning that students make during their university years pays dividends throughout their careers. For anyone considering whether university education is worth the investment, Hinney Lo's success story provides compelling evidence that it is.