Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Turnbull’s shared commitment to bilateral engagement in innovation was demonstrated with the recent announcement of an annual Australia-China Innovation Dialogue. Support for this is playing out on the ground in China, with the Austrade teams engaged in a number of innovation events over the past few weeks, and preparing for more in the weeks to come. Here is a quick snapshot of some of the things we’re doing to support entrepreneurship and innovation between Australia and China.
Upcoming events：
April 20-22
Austrade will be taking out a booth at the annual Shanghai Tech Fair, to showcase four Australian Landing Pad companies, and to promote Australia’s Innovation and tech capabilities. Australian Landing Pad participants will present on the main stage on 20th April 10:45-11:25, and will join the VC meet-up and media interviews. Visit Austrade and the Landing Pad companies at booth H4-4B073.
May 10-12
Australian Landing Pad teams are heading to West China to exhibit at the Chengdu Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair. A booth will be setup onsite and LP participants have been selected to present at the fair. In addition, LP participating company Euclideon will setup their Holoverse™ 3D and hologram room at the exhibition for visitors to experience their world leading technology.
Past events：
March 23
Australia-China Fintech Dialogue in Australian Landing Pad in Shanghai
As a part of the first Australian Fintech Roadshow to China, the Australia-China Fintech Dialogue was hosted at XNODE, Austrade’s Landing Pad partner in Shanghai. 80 Financial Services and Fintech professionals from East China heard from 8 Australian startups and industry representatives on their financial technology, wealth management and governance expertise, and discussed potential partnerships in this dynamic sector.
Since this event Austrade has been approached by industry allies in Chongqing, Suzhou and Hangzhou about fintech partnership opportunities, and a number of Australian companies are exploring opportunities in financial payment and blockchain technologies and wealth management.
March 23
Australian Landing Pad Day at CAMPx2017
Austrade is delighted to support the China-Australia Millennial Project, which brings together 130 young Australian and Chinese participants to tackle corporate and social innovation challenges over 100 days. During the program’s first leg in Shanghai, delegates were welcomed by Consul General to Shanghai Mr Graeme Meehan. ‘CAMPers’ also spent a day at Landing Pad Partner XNODE’s Zhangjiang Space, where Austrade TC Karen Surmon spoke about the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and Landing Pad participants shared their experiences.
Delegates were also given practical tips on starting-up in China and working with Chinese partners through a series of presentations and Q&A with XNODE CEO Wei Zhou, Austrade Landing Pad Manager Daniel Zhan, and the Founders of Juwai.com, CareerXFactor and Mr.s AI. We look forward to welcoming them to Sydney at the close of the program in June. (australiachina.org)
March 24
CEIBS + Australian Landing Pad Workshop
The China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), one of the most prestigious business schools in China, has done extensive research on startups in China. At a workshop with CEIBS MBA candidates, Landing Pad participants workshopped some of the challenges they faced, and the strategies they were exploring. After the workshop, candidates visited the Euclideon Holoverse™ Experience Centre at the CEIBS campus, established by Landing Pad company Euclideon to showcase their 3D visualisation technology.
March 28
International Innovation Services Roundtable in Suzhou
Austrade China co-hosted a cross-border Innovation Services Roundtable at the University of Sydney Centre in China, at Suzhou Industrial Park. Participants from the University of Sydney’s Centre in China, Monash University’s Suzhou campus, Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, and Tsinghua Technology and Innovation Holdings’ Creative Youth Community shared information on working with Australian students, research commercialisation agencies and startups, and workshopped ideas to create a cluster of Australian and Chinese entrepreneurs within the district.
Austrade China Innovation Team Leader Karen Surmon, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Counsellor Joanna Bunting, and Business Development Managers from 5 Austrade posts in China also joined the discussion.
March 29
Cross-border Startup Incubation and Investment Dialogue
Austrade China hosted a Cross-border Startup Incubation and Investment Dialogue at the Australian Landing Pad in Shanghai. Panellists from TUS Star Shanghai, TechCode Venture Funds, and Yafo Capital shared case studies and insight from first-hand experience in cross-border investment and activities supporting foreign startup incubation in China. Landing Pad participants also showcased their company capability.
“Urgent demand of industrial upgrade for traditional Chinese enterprises and the ongoing trend of capitalisation of state-backed Chinese companies provide an unparalleled opportunity for foreign tech-driven startups. Yet foreign startups coming to China should be more aware of the challenges when tackling this market,” said Ms. Monica Chen, GM of TechCode Venture Funds. “A startup facilitation program like the Landing Pad, which allows teams to test the market, could prove vital in exploring China” she said.
Ties between China and Australia on innovation and entrepreneurship will continue to strengthen. Through events and collaboration projects, Austrade alongside allies in Greater China is committed to showcase Australian innovation capabilities and to help entrepreneurs expand to China.
For more information, please contact LPM Shanghai Daniel Zhan.
