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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited:
About 300 investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in the information and communications technology (ICT), digital media and creative industries attended the Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2008 (CVCF 2008) today (November 18), and learned innovative ideas to develop and build novel ¡§contrarian¡¨ companies that change the dynamics of doing business. Participants from small and medium enterprise (SME) and start-ups were especially inspired by the innovative ways of doing business which optimise monetary return and help endure hard times.
Venture capitalists, industry leaders and entrepreneurial founders of local and international companies drew from their experiences and shared case studies with participants on how they managed to create impressive financial results out of ¡§nowhere¡¨. The CVCF 2008¡¦s theme of ¡§Monetise unexpected innovations and unusual creativity that change the world¡¨ could be extremely fitting at a time of economic turmoil.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Nicholas Yang, said, ¡§It is great to see that participants have found CVCF 2008 useful and helpful. In difficult times such as the present global financial turmoil, it requires totally innovative ideas for businesses to thrive and survive. We see CVCF 2008 as a perfect platform connecting investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in the ICT, digital media and creative industries to develop new ideas and collaborate together to enhance their businesses.¡¨
¡§We are very glad to see so many SMEs today. In light of the current credit crunch, the Hong Kong SAR Government has announced a Special SME Loan Guarantee Scheme to provide $10 billion liquidity to the needy SMEs. On the other hand, CVCF 2008 inspires the SMEs with new ideas and insights which can be quite useful at difficult times,¡¨ Mr Yang said.
Local start-up companies in the ICT industry showcased their creative business solutions to potential investors in an exhibition concurrently held with the forum today. Next to this exhibition was the display of creative products made by self-taught inventors and young designers in Hong Kong. Participants of the forum were amazed by these creative presentations.
CVCF, an annual signature event organised by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, had been held for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007. CVCF 2008 continued the tradition of presenting a uniquely creative theme each year which was well-received by the audience and resulted in a big success.
Three keynote sessions and three specially designed panel sessions were presented at CVCF 2008. Profiles of the three invited keynote speakers are as follows:
Mr Harry Man, Partner of Matrix Partners China
Mr Man has 10 years' experience of investment in the telecom, media and tech industries. Mr Man led the corporate development department of Linktone Ltd. (NASDAQ: LTON), the first pure-play China wireless company listed in the US before he joined Matrix Partners China. He was responsible for corporate strategy, strategic investments and mergers and acquisitions in the wireless, digital media and online and mobile gaming businesses. Before joining Linktone, he served in the corporate development department of Chinadotcom (NASDAQ: CHINA), the first Chinese Internet company listed in the United States.
Dr Lindsay Moore, CEO, KLM, Inc.
Dr Moore is the Founder and CEO of KLM Inc., and also a Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. She was also one of the original founders, and later the General Manager of Strategy and Innovation, at Celestial Seasonings, an international speciality tea company.
Dr Moore has published many articles and served as a keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences on strategy, branding, corporate ethics, finance, intellectual capital, and the management of intellectual assets. She will also be the guest speaker at the "Business Insight Executive Luncheon: How to Best Monetise Your Intellectual Capital", a CVCF complementary programme to be held tomorrow (November 19).
Mr Jonathan Staenberg, Managing Director of Staenberg Venture Partners
Mr Staenberg has worked with venture-backed technology companies for 20 years in several capacities: as founder, manager and investor. As an entrepreneur, he has established two companies, served on the senior management team of several early-stage organisations and provided venture capital funding to more than 100 start-ups.
CVCF 2008 was supported by its Key Sponsor, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Jardine OneSolution (HK) Limited, Research in Motion and Samsung Electronics HK Co. Ltd. were the Platinum Sponsors. Monte Jade Science and Technology Association of Hong Kong (MJHK) and Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited were the Gold Sponsors, while A-World Consulting Limited, Centre for Innovation and Technology, Faculty of Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCPEA), International Payment Solutions Limited and ISS EastPoint Property Management Limited were the Silver Sponsors. The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Faculty of Business Administration of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKVCPEA and MJHK were the co-organisers of the event, with the backing from 36 supporting organisations. CVCF 2008¡¦s Exclusive Chinese Media Partner was Hong Kong Economic Times, and Metro Finance was its Official Radio Channel.
For enquiries, please call 3166 3838 or e-mail cvcf@cyberport.com.hk
Ends/Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:17
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