Ontario-Beijing Innovation Forum 2016
Ontario-Beijing Innovation Forum 2016 was held in Beijing on October 17th. Delegates from 12 top hi-tech incubators and well-known institutions of Canada came for discussing cooperation with respect to projects in IT, digital media and other hi-tech areas. The forum also attracted more than 100 delegates from Chinese corporations, investment and incubation institutions.
Mr. Guo Rui, Vice Director of Division of International Collaboration, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission speaking
Mr. Michael Dodd, Team Leader and Trade Commissioner of the Canadian Embassy to China speaking
Ms. Liu Jun, Executive VP of Beijing Technology Market Association speaking
Ms. Lily Lam, Senior Director of Investment Portfolio Division of OCE presenting institutional profile and successful experiences
Mr. Wang Tong, Co-founder of River Capital introducing investment in Canada’s startups and cooperation
Delegates of Canada and China shared points of interest, demand and successful experiences in respect of innovation cooperation at the forum. Investors familiar with technology innovation of Canadian corporations and Chinese market trends were also present at the forum. Let’s listen to what they say.
Investors told you that entrepreneurship should follow these pathways
As the most economically, technologically and culturally developed province, Ontario is leader in Canada in terms of automobile manufacturing, aviation, nuclear power, communication and electronics, new energy and material, biology and environmental protection.
Mr. Xia Wenhuan, General Manager of Technology Cooperation, China International Economic Cooperation and Investment Corporation stated that entrepreneurs of Canada should focus on Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding areas of Shanghai instead of Guangzhou and Fujian. “It would be better for Canadian enterprises in China to seek development in the Yangtze River Delta, Jing-Jin-Ji and circum-Bohai-Sea as these areas have China’s strongest spending power and are willing to embrace foreign culture,” Mr. Xia said.
Considering strengths of Canadian organizations, especially Ontario, Mr. Xia advised entrepreneurs to look at medical and health markets, particularly environmental friendly projects in connection with mobile health technology applicable to treatment and diagnosis, and technology and medical supplies and consumables applicable to third party imaging market. Their outlook is exciting.
For organizations coming to China, which projects are favored by investors? “First is hazardous waste disposal; second is fast local indoor air purification.” Based on domestic market analysis, Mr. Xia believes that startup teams in these areas tend to attract attention from Chinese investors or are more likely to get financed.
Mr. Xia said, hazardous waste disposal is very important for and have great opportunities in the Yangtze River Delta region, Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang. As a densely populated region, the Yangtze River Delta region has almost been completely urbanized, with rare rural area left over, so that there is a great demand for emission, treatment and transport of hazardous waste. In addition to hazardous waste disposal, atmospheric control in north China is also a point of interest. Organizations can give consideration to local air treatment, such as large-scale fast purification of indoor air. This can present a great opportunity for them.
Both sides sharing points of interest, demand and successful experiences
Taking international technology transfer to new heights
“The fast growth of China over the past years increased entrepreneurs’ ambition for success and achievement. They work really hard, diligently for achieving success and goal rapidly. Meanwhile, dreams and devotion are major driver for entrepreneurs in North America and Canada.” Mr. Wang Tong, Co-founder of River Capital identified difference between entrepreneurs of Canada and China during his interaction with them.
He gave two pieces of advice to Canadian and Chinese entrepreneurs: first is to have an open mind and see international trend from a global perspective; second is to be patient and do not expect results overnight.
Mr. Michael Dodd, Team Leader and Trade Commissioner of the Canadian Embassy to China stated that he saw great opportunities for Canada-China cooperation, especially in agriculture, food, IT, and green development areas during his 3-month stay in Beijing.
Projects in the ICT area including “3D printer”, “providing real-time feedback and long-term data tracking services to swim player and coach”, and “facilitating corporation and customer interaction through more powerful screen and interaction” presented by Canadian delegates received much attention at the forum. Many Chinese enterprises and investment institutions reached intent of project cooperation with Canadian enterprises on site.
According to Mr. Guo Rui, Vice Director of Division of International Collaboration, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, a high efficient bilateral communication and exchange mechanism has been established between Ontario and Beijing under the joint efforts of both sides over the past years. The science, technology and innovation MOU signed between Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation in March 2014, and the inauguration of Beijing-Ontario Scientific and Technical Innovation Cooperation Center at China (Beijing) International Technology Transfer Convention in April 2014 opened a new era of close communication and practical cooperation between both sides.
This year’s forum is hosted by Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, co-hosted by Beijing Technology Market Association and Beijing Technology Association of Workers, and organized by Beijing-Ontario Scientific and Technical Innovation Cooperation Center and ChinaWorth Global Tech Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd. This annual forum has established itself as a renowned conference of international technology transfer and scientific and technological achievement transfer and transformation since its launch in 2014.
Opening ceremony of China-Canada Entrepreneurship Camp, Phase II
B2B matchmaking (one to one project matchmaking)