Entrepreneur Day Opens Next Week
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(From left) Gary Tang, Supervisor, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Raymond Yip, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, Daisy Chow, Vice president of Innovative Enterprises Association, Sabrina Yu, Chears Technology Company, and Anvil Ng, CWB Tech, introduce details of this year’s Entrepreneur Day
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Two local start-ups from the Innovative Technology Zone showcase their products: Chears Technology Company presents a hearing aid app for the elderly (left) and wearable sport device Glance from CWB Tech (right) |
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Entrepreneur Day will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 13 and 14 May. The event will gather around 270 exhibitors from various sectors with the public admitted free of charge |
4 May 2016 – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the eighth Entrepreneur Day will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 13 and 14 May. The two-day event will gather around 270 exhibitors from various sectors, providing a one-stop platform for entrepreneurs to learn about business start-up opportunities and support services and get the latest market intelligence. The event, which is open to the public with free admission, welcomes all aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Start-ups play a vital part in driving economic growth and transition. They create job opportunities and keep Hong Kong’s economy vibrant,” said Raymond Yip, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC. “Entrepreneur Day is one of the HKTDC’s signature events to support entrepreneurs. It comprises an exhibition and forums as well as project-pitching sessions and onsite advisory services.”
Innovative tech and overseas start-ups
Responding to the rising number of tech start-ups, this year’s Entrepreneur Day will see the launch of a new Innovative Technology Zone, featuring brand new ideas from more than 120 start-up companies in technology sectors such as ICT, finance, education, healthcare, biotechnology and green technology. An Innovative Technology Demo area will be set up at the zone for visitors to try out an array of innovative technology systems and view various products in action.
Another new addition to the show will be the Overseas and Mainland Start-up Project Zone, showcasing start-ups from the mainland and around the world, including from Israel and India. The zone will give local entrepreneurs a chance to exchange ideas with fellow start-ups from outside Hong Kong.
Local creativity on show
Returning to the show is the Cross-Matching Zone organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association. An effective business matching platform, the zone will feature 80 local creative professionals to help manufacturers and companies enhance their brand image and develop new products or services. It will also give the creative industries a chance to increase their exposure among entrepreneurs, producing a win-win result for both parties.
Tips from the professionals
During Entrepreneur Day the two-day Start-up Runway will include more than 10 thematic seminars and sharing sessions. The Runway comprises three main sections; Trend Track, where latest market trends and start-up opportunities will be analysed; Idea Lab, where tips and ideas for launching start-ups in trending industries will be shared; and the Entrepreneur Arena pitching session. A “Fund & Mentor” matching session will also be held, for entrepreneurs to meet potential investors and mentors to share insights and gain entrepreneurial experience.
Entrepreneur Day this year has invited more than 30 distinguished guests and entrepreneurs from a range of sectors to share their experience and help participants get their start-ups off the ground. Special guests include Jason Chiu, Founder and CEO of cherrypicks, Shih Wing Ching, Chairman & CEO of Centaline Group, Alan Yip, Chairman and CEO of Guru Online (Holdings) Limited, Ir Allen Yeung, Chief Information Officer of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), Dr Samson Tam, Chairman of Hong Kong Business Angel Network, Eddie Pang, Co-Founder of Chrisly cafe, Ursule Wong, Founder of me Me & ME and Alexander Roth, Managing Director of foodpanda Hong Kong.
Entrepreneur Arena
Another feature of this year’s Entrepreneur Day is an enhanced Entrepreneur Arena pitching competition. Co-organised by the HKTDC and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, young entrepreneurs will present their business ideas and plans in the Arena. In celebration of the HKTDC’s 50th anniversary, the Entrepreneur Arena has been scaled up with more than 50 start-up applications this year, about double the number last year. Also, close to 2,000 people took part in an online vote for the most popular start-ups. The 10 finalists will present their ideas on stage at Entrepreneur Day with experts offering valuable feedback. The top three start-up entrepreneurs will receive an Entrepreneur Day Outstanding Start-up Award. The HKTDC has secured a sponsor to offer cash prizes to each of the three winners to help them realize their start-up project.
Besides Entrepreneur Day, the HKTDC is launching International Start-Up Week this year. A series of entrepreneurial events will be held during the week, including conferences, exhibitions, seminars and workshops organised by non-governmental organisations, universities, co-working spaces and relevant government departments. Entrepreneurs should not miss this opportunity to acquire the skills and resources they need and benefit from Hong Kong’s reputation as a start-up hub in Asia.
HKTDC Entrepreneur Day: www.hktdc.com/eday
Startup Week Events: www.internationalstartupweek.com
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Media Registration: Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.
To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
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.