China Canada Clean Tech Innovation Centre will provide local clean tech ventures with access to Chinese market and almost $15M venture capital funding within first year

(Vancouver, BC.) Nov. 27th, 2015 — The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) today announced the Hanhai Zhiye Group, a high-tech investment group based in China, is launching the China Canada Clean Tech Innovation Centre (CCCIC). The CCCIC will create new opportunities for startups and advanced technologies in Vancouver’s Clean Tech sector, and its Technology sector in general, through venture capital funding of up to $15M in the first year and access to China’s thriving Clean Tech market.

“Vancouver’s focus on innovation, our successful Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, and our deep ties to the Asian market make us the ideal city to host this new centre,” said Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver. “Hanhai Zhiye will provide another significant boost to Vancouver’s fast-growing economy and clean technology sector, while the City and our partners continue to collaborate to advance exciting new market opportunities in China.”

Hanhai and the founding partners Tsinghua Holdings Co. Ltd and affiliates, Jilin Ruite Environmental Protection Group and Henan New Future Investment Inc. will provide an initial investment of $4.25M to launch the CCCIC, which will operate out of Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) VentureLabs facility. The additional venture fund of $15M is on track to be secured by summer of 2016. With total assets over $30B Canadian, Tsinghua Holdings Co. is among the top 500 enterprises in China and has deep connections within the Asian market.

“We looked at many different Canadian cities and chose Vancouver because of its impressive technology sector and focus on innovation and the environment,” said Hanguang Wang Chairman of the Hanhai Zhiye Group. “There is a large market for Clean Tech in China and it is our intent to foster, seed and help commercialize some of the most innovative technologies coming out of Vancouver.”

The announcement is the result of an MOU signed last June between Hanhai Zhiye and the VEC, which focused on bringing new investment opportunities and funding access to Vancouver’s booming Technology and Clean Tech industries.

“We are proud to have brought this partnership to Vancouver, which will not only provide access to capital for local Clean Tech businesses, but offer unparalleled access to one of the largest markets in the world,” said Ian McKay, CEO of the VEC. “The Clean Tech sector is the fastest- growing in the country. The launch of the centre will further advance research and development in this area and build on our valuable business relations with China.”

In addition to the CCCIC, Hanhai and SFU recently announced their plans to launch the China- Canada Commercialization and Acceleration Network (C2-CAN). The C2-CAN program will connect technology innovators and entrepreneurs with the people, programs, and resources needed to accelerate venture growth in both countries.

“Through this partnership, SFU will contribute its Clean Tech and other research strengths, and its innovation and entrepreneurship know-how, to commercialize technology that responds to real needs in the global marketplace,” said Joy Johnson, SFU’s Vice-President, Research. “We are delighted to welcome Hanhai into SFU’s longstanding relationship with China, and to engage our SFU Innovates network internationally in the open flow of ideas and synergies that bring social, economic and environmental benefits to both countries.”

(Article by Vancouver Economic. URL:http://www.vancouvereconomic.com/news-events/media/vancouver-opens-canadas-first-chinese-clean-tech-innovation-centre/)

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