*********************************************************
More than 200 people attended Invest Hong Kong's (InvestHK) StartmeupHK Seminar in London today (June 17, London time) to hear more about the Department's global business plan competition and the city's business advantages for UK startup founders and entrepreneurs.
The seminar was held at Level 39, Canary Wharf, as part of London Technology Week. Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Simon Galpin gave the keynote speech, which was followed by two panel discussions on mutual business opportunities for Hong Kong and British entrepreneurs in their respective jurisdictions.
Mr Galpin told participants that in the past two to three years, InvestHK has seen a trend of entrepreneurs and startup founders setting up a business in Hong Kong and using it as a base from which to expand.
This trend is evident in the rapid and spontaneous growth in Hong Kong's startup ecosystem. For example, the number of co-work spaces has soared from only three in 2010 to more than 30 to date. These co-work spaces provide over 1 600 seats at an affordable cost, adding to the ease of setting up for startup founders with limited capital.
Mr Galpin highlighted some of the city's enduring attractions, including its role as a familiar access point into the massive Mainland China market as well as a gateway that connects businesses to the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world. "Hong Kong's level playing field, its advanced ICT infrastructure, large number of business and leisure visitors and growing number of high net-worth individuals give startups with sound business models and creative ideas or products the opportunity to expand quickly in Hong Kong and beyond," Mr Galpin said.
A key part of InvestHK's 2014 StartmeupHK Venture Programme is a global business plan competition to promote Hong Kong's rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. Open for entries until July 31 for innovative and scalable businesses from around the world, it will culminate in a week-long startup festival in Hong Kong from November 10 - 14. The Venture Forum on November 11 will see 12 shortlisted winners compete for three grand awards and two sector awards in "financial technology" (fintech) and "smart city".
Other speakers at the London seminar today included Founder of School For Startups, Mr Douglas Richard; Co-founder of Seven Hills, Mr Nick Giles,; CEO and Founder of Metail, Mr Tom Adeyoola,; Founder and Managing Director of Brilliant Basics Ltd, Mr Anand Verma,; Vice President of Marketing & Sales of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Andrew Young; and Managing Director of Primasia Corporate Services Ltd, Mr John Barclay.
About InvestHK
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As of December 2013, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 3 090 investment projects creating more than 34 900 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$82 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
About StartmeupHK
StartmeupHK aims to attract high-impact, innovative and scalable startup founders from around the world to set up their business in Hong Kong. The initiative comprises a global business plan competition and a website that promotes Hong Kong as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship and connects startups with multinational corporations, investors, entrepreneur clubs, co-work spaces, incubators, universities and more. For more information, please visit www.startmeup.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:00
NNNN
