September 26-29 (Hong Kong & Shenzhen), 2011
Hawaii Tech Asia, being launched as a project of HiBEAM, aims to bring Hawaii and US technology entrepreneurs to Hong Kong and Shenzhen to gain on-the-ground China market exposure and to initiate connections with potential investors, distributors, suppliers, partners, and customers.
Hawaii Tech Asia will introduce participating companies to the venture capital, private equity, and angel investor communities in Beijing and Hong Kong – as well as to legal, accounting and business development professionals who can assist them in navigating the China market. Expected outcomes of the visit will be rich collaborations, joint ventures, or partnerships with China and Hong Kong firms.
Hong Kong has long been a springboard for companies who seek markets and manufacturing in China. With a solid infrastructure of financial and private equity institutions, professional services, and a pro-business government, Hong Kong bears an environment for local and foreign companies to thrive and grow in the region. Technology companies, focused on high growth, increasingly seek a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Prior to embarking on the Hawaii Tech Asia visit, participants will be asked to develop a set of strategies for China related business, inclusive of estimates of the kinds of organizations/people with whom they want to link. They will attend a two-day workshop on developing a market-driven strategy for China.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen
During the first two days of the HTA in Hong Kong, participants will be briefed by local experts about the China market, the resources available in Hong Kong, and the process of networking with the right people to help participant companies deploy their strategies for China-related business. Then, on the third day, participants will be introduced to and meet with, on a one-to-one, basis, the type of prospective investors, customers, suppliers, distributors, and partners they established in their plans. The introductions will be facilitated by the U.S. Foreign Commercial Services Gold Key Service, and HiBEAM. The Hong Kong Trade and Development Council will assist. On the fourth day, companies will go to Shenzhen, China, visit the High Technology and Industrial Park and meet Chinese companies that have potential synergies with the participating companies. Upon return to Hawaii, participants are encouraged to follow up on their new contacts and information learned, and make important revisions to their China strategic plans.
The HTA seeks to align with the National Export Initiative (NEI) launched by President Barack Obama on March 11, 2010. The goal of the NEI is for the United States to double its exports of goods and services around the world in five years. HTA is also aligned with the mission of the Pacific Bridge Initiative (PBI).
Established by the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), PBI aims to double U.S. exports to Asia and (especially) Mainland China in five years. Hawaii entrepreneurs participating in the project will be from sectors designated as priority in the PBI.Hawaii Tech Asia supports President Obama’s goal to promote innovation based and high growth U.S. companies that have the capacity to expand into global markets in order to create high value jobs in America.
Beijing and Shanghai– Spring 2012
The Beijing program will comprise of briefings about the general conditions for exporting to and doing business in China. Participants will have meetings with investors, distributors and potential business partners. There will be a visit to Zhongguancun, the science and technology park in Haidian District, Beiijing. The Hawaii State Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Office in Beijing will assist in the Beijing program.
Singapore
For participants interested in establishing ties to South East Asia, a follow-on visit to Singapore with introductions to Singapore-based stakeholders will be offered in another program. We invite US technology companies to join the Hawaii Tech Asia program and begin to build a strategy for Asia and China and thereby enhance their competitiveness in their sectors.
We invite these companies to take part in HTA:
• Hawaii technology companies and US tech companies with an Asia/China strategy, or wants to develop a strategy for Asia/China
• Are in markets that have rapid and high growth potential
• Company holds intellectual property with respect to its products/services
• Has a dedicated management team
The Day Before – Orientation Evening – September 25
5:30 pm Welcome Reception with Partners and Hawaii/ US expatriates working in Hong Kong
Day One – September 26
9 am Using Hong Kong as a hub for Greater China by Invest Hong Kong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Pacific Bridge Initiative: “Marketing and Selling to China†and How the US Department of Commerce and HKTDC Partnership can help US companies build businesses and export to China 10 am Myths and Realities of Doing Business in China by K. O. Chia, President, Hong Kong Venture Capital Association (HKVCA).
11 am Legal and Financial Aspects of doing business in China by Elizabeth Thomson, President, ICS Trust; Protecting your IP in China by Loke-Khoon Tan, Partner, Baker & MacKenzie.
12:30 pm Luncheon with American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
2:00 pm Getting to IPO in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
3-4:30 pm - Presentations by the Hawaii Tech Companies to HKVCA and the HK Business
Angels Network
5:30 pm Reception and Networking at the US Ambassador’s Home on the Peak.
Day Two –September 27
8:30 am Visit to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) in Shatin, New Territories. Will visit the accelerators, companies and managers at HKSTP.
12:00 am Lunch at The Chinese University of Hong Kong with Scientists and Researchers in areas relevant to the delegates’ fields of interest.
1:30 pm Presentation by The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Centre for Clinical Trials
3:00 pm Presentations by CUHK scientists and researchers on innovation and technology with potential for commercial applications.
4:30 pm Free evening in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
