Niel was selected for the Graduate Studies Program at Singularity University in 2014, where he co-founded Peared, an augmented reality project.

[3] Between 2005 and 2012, Niel climbed Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania), Aconcagua (South America) and Mount Vinson (Antarctica).

[4] In 2015 Niel co-led an international expedition which successfully claimed the first ascent of Dechok Phodrang, a 5632m high peak in the Gangga Massif in Eastern Tibet.

[9] Niel and a group of fellow explorers from Hong Kong and Chile traversed India in a Motor Rickshaw and raised more than HKD 500,000 in funds.

[14] Niel was a member of the 2018 Chapman Andrews Centennial Expedition to search for fossils in the Gobi desert using latest drone and imaging technology.

In November 2021 Niel led an international team of experts to successfully identify and uncover a US Navy TBF Avenger airplane that crash-landed during Operation Gratitude on 16 January 1945.

[24][25] He has also spoken at two TEDx events and frequently contributes to the Royal Geographic Society School Outreach Program.