Lift-Off For HKTDC’s Largest Entrepreneur Day

	Front left: Yolanda Chiu, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; Kenneth Fok, Chairman, Hong Kong United Youth Association; Joey Lam, Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Policy and Community); Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Trade and Industry, HKSARG Trade and Industry Department; Florence Hui, Under Secretary of Home Affairs, Home Affairs Bureau, HKSARG; Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC; Jerry Liu, Head of CreateHK, HKSARG; Herman Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co Ltd; and Kevin She, President, Innovative Entrepreneur Association attend this morning’s opening ceremony of Entrepreneur Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
	From Left: Florence Hui, Under Secretary of Home Affairs, Home Affairs Bureau, HKSARG, Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC, and Kenneth Fok, Chairman, Hong Kong United Youth Association visit exhibitor booths at Entrepreneur Day
	Margaret Fong (centre), Executive Director, HKTDC and Kenneth Fok (left), Chairman, Hong Kong United Youth Association visit the Hong Kong United Youth Association booth
	A record of more than 270 exhibitors, up 15 per cent on last year, are taking part in the seventh edition of Entrepreneur Day, which features an inaugural ICT Start-up Zone.  More than 40 ICT start-ups are showcasing their successful projects featuring the latest creative technologies, digital marketing, e-commerce and mobile business apps
	Entrepreneur Day includes more than 25 seminars, forums and workshops during which more than 50 entrepreneurs and renowned speakers will share their ideas and experience

29 May 2015 – A record of more than 270 exhibitors, up 15 per cent on last year, are taking part in the seventh edition of Entrepreneur Day, which opened this morning at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and continues through tomorrow. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) 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.

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. 

Economic Vitality
Speaking at this morning’s opening ceremony HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said: “Hong Kong is renowned for being an easy place to set up a business, with good opportunities for growth. The contributions that start-ups make to Hong Kong are significant. Apart from directly creating jobs, start-ups and entrepreneurs also bring inspiration, innovation, technology transfer and talents to our city, all of which is essential to the continued vitality of Hong Kong’s economy. This is why the HKTDC’s efforts to support business start-ups have always been a core service of the Council.”

During the two-day event, participants can learn about different business options, incubation programmes and fund-raising platforms available to them in Hong Kong.

Starting Up
A new ICT Start-up Zone has been launched this year in response to the growing importance of the ICT sector for business start-ups.  More than 40 ICT start-ups are showcasing 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.

Creating Value　
Sponsored by the Create Hong Kong office of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Cross Matching Pavilion returns this year with 80 exhibitors from the creative industries and multi-media sectors. On display are creative 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, which includes more than 25 seminars, forums and workshops. The HKTDC has also invited more than 50 entrepreneurs and renowned speakers to share practical tips and experience on entrepreneurship. Among the speakers are:

• 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.

Today’s seminars include “Seize the Business Opportunities in Qianhai”, “Shine at the Stage of the World: Hong Kong Innovation & Technology Start-ups” and “Cyberport & Microsoft: Start-up Ventures and The Future of Technology”.

Fund & Mentor
The Fund & Mentor session forms an integral part of the expanded pitching series at this year’s event. 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.

Entrepreneur Arena
At the Entrepreneur Arena, young entrepreneurs are able to 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.

Fair website: www.hktdc.com/eday

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

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.