HKTDC Set To Stage Largest Ever Entrepreneur Day

	Stephen Liang, Director of Product Promotion, HKTDC, introduces Entrepreneur Day during today’s press conference. He said more than 270 exhibitors from various sectors would take part in the event, up 15 per cent compared to last year
	Guests at today’s press conference include: (from left) Gary Tang, Supervisor, Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Stephen Liang, Director, Product Promotion, HKTDC, and Albert Cheung, Chairman, CSI 5 Committee, Innovative Entrepreneur Association
	Young entrepreneurs introduce anti-loss devices that  incorporate smartphone technology, at the press conference (R-Guardian, booth no.: 1E-B02)
	“MoBiLET” (Mobile Bi-wheel Light Electronic Transport) that enhances employability, quality of life and social interaction for the physically challenged (Single Person Transport Design Ltd, booth no.: 1E-B16)
	Tailor-made blown glass and handmade products to be featured at the fair (Utopian Studio, booth no.: 1C-F02)
	Cansoap is an environment-friendly beauty product made from natural oils, herbs and essential oils (Handmaid Production, booth no.: 1D-C11)
	A new start-up selling eco-friendly reusable diapers, changing pads and organic baby care products (Ways BB Ltd, booth no.: A10)
	Acocake, a cupcake bakery pioneered by three young start-up entrepreneurs (Acocake, booth no.: A02)

21 May 2015 – Many people aspire to start their own business, but it takes a great deal of effort and support from different stakeholders to succeed. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the seventh HKTDC Entrepreneur Day will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), on 29-30 May. The fair is a one-stop platform for young entrepreneurs, providing market intelligence and entrepreneurial insights as well as an array of business start-up opportunities and support services.

Record Breaker
As a signature HKTDC event to support entrepreneurs, Entrepreneur Day comprises an exhibition, seminars and forums as well as project-pitching sessions and onsite advisory services. 

At today’s press conference, Stephen Liang, Director of Product Promotion, HKTDC, introduced details of this year’s Entrepreneur Day, which includes a record number of exhibitors. “The two-day event this year has attracted more than 270 exhibitors from various sectors, up 15 per cent from last year. Visitors will be able to learn more about different business options, incubation programmes and fund-raising platforms through various events.”

Starting Up
A new ICT Start-up Zone will be launched this year in response to the growing importance of the ICT sector for business start-ups.  More than 40 ICT start-ups will showcase their successful projects featuring the latest creative technologies, digital marketing, e-commerce and mobile business apps.  Alongside the ICT Start-up Zone is a new pitching platform, Start-up Runway, which features a series of discussions and pitching sessions to help young ICT entrepreneurs upgrade their sales skills and connect with potential investors and partners.

Creative Value　
Following last year’s successful collaboration with the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, the Cross Matching Pavilion returns to Entrepreneur Day. Sponsored by the Create Hong Kong office of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the pavilion features 80 exhibitors from the creative industries and multi-media sectors. They will demonstrate their creativity and innovative commercial applications to help established manufacturers and enterprises enhance their products and services.

Lift-off
“Helping Start-ups Take Off” is the theme of this year’s Entrepreneur Day. There will be more than 25 seminars, forums and workshops during the fair, while the HKTDC has invited more than 50 entrepreneurs and renowned speakers to share practical tips and experience on entrepreneurship. Speakers include:

• JieJie & Uncle Cat, Cartoonist and Author
• Frederick Ma, Honorary Professor, School of Economics and Finance, University of Hong Kong
• Kenneth Fok, Chairman, Hong Kong United Youth Association
• Akina Fong, Founder, akn. Media & Leather
• Robert Chua, Chairman, A La Bakery
• Leung Sze Ho, Co-founder of Chung So Si Fong Dessert
• Kee Chi Hing, Chair, Fullness Social Enterprises Society
• Reeve Kwan, Co-founder, GoGoVan
• Frances Du, Director, Greater China Region, Microsoft Ventures.

Returning to the event this year will be the Fund & Mentor session and Entrepreneur Arena, which form an integral part of the expanded pitching series. Deal-sourcing and business-matching opportunities have been enhanced at the Fund & Mentor session to facilitate one-on-one meetings between project owners and investors/mentors.

Meanwhile, with close to 30 start-up applications this year, the Entrepreneur Arena is where young entrepreneurs can present their business ideas and plans, with experts offering valuable feedback. The judges this year are Dr Measure Hung, Chairman, Mobicon Group Ltd., and Dr Edwin Lee, Founder, Bridgeway Prime Shop Fund Group Limited.

HKTDC Entrepreneur Day
Date and opening time: 29 May 2015 (Friday)      10:30 am to 6:30 pm

                                              30 May 2015 (Saturday)    10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Venue: Hall 1D&E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)

* Media & Webcast Centre is located at Expo Drive Entrance, HKCEC

Fair website: www.hktdc.com/eday

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.