Cambridge China Forum returns to connect investors with tech sector
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Cambridge China Forum is returning in October and will help to connect technology companies from this region with Chinese investors.
The theme is UK|China Investment and Trade – Science and Technology Forefronts, and the programme includes keynote speeches, panel discussions and an exciting investment pitch event.
Co-curated by Cambridge China Centre and TusPark UK and taking place at the Wellcome Genome Campus Conference Centre in Hinxton, the forum will be held on October 15, with the pitch session on October 16.
The first day will feature speeches exploring exporting to China and a focus on investment, while panels will discuss issues such as IP and key technology areas.
Applications to the pitch session are welcome from Cambridge and UK-based technology companies, particularly those with an interest in bioscience, artificial intelligence, 5G or agritech.
Jinzhao Li, director of the Cambridge China Centre, said: “We want to be a bridge that helps as many innovative entrepreneurs as possible to secure the international support and investment that they need.
“We currently have commitments from 30 Chinese investment companies to attend, representing larger networks of businesses and technology resources in China and internationally.
“At all stages, Cambridge China Centre can be there to offer experienced support as local innovators look to the China market.”
Confirmed investors include China Science & Merchants Capital Management, Everbright Financial, Beihang Investment, Council of Industry and Technology Alliances in Z-Park, Shengjing 360, Puhua Capital, THG Ventures, CYZone, TusStar VC, Herald Investment Management, ET Capital, The UK China Enterprise Fund, The Sino-UK Fund and Puxin Education Fund.
The pitch event follows overwhelming demand at a venture capital pitch event in March, held by the Cambridge China CEntre.
Visit cambridgechinaforum.com for more information, or to apply to the pitch event. Contact the team at enquiry@cambridgechinacentre.org.
Programme
OCTOBER 15
Morning
Welcome Speeches
Keynote speeches and panel discussions
Keynote 1: China – New Export Horizons?
Keynote 2: An Overview of Chinese Investment in the UK
Keynote 3 and Panel 1: The Cambridge Cluster and China Opportunities
Panel 2: Cambridge Bioscience Forefront
Business lunch
Afternoon
Keynote speeches and panel discussions
Panel 3: Spotting, Avoiding and Overcoming the Pitfalls of UK|China Trade and IP Protection
Panel 4: Cambridge AI Forefront
Keynote 4: Impact Investing
Panel 5: How 5G will Change our Lives
Evening
Drinks reception
Gala dinner
OCTOBER 16
Morning
Welcome Speeches
Pitch event: Introducing Chinese Investors and Pitching Companies
30 pitching slots through the day, with networking and exhibition breaks
Buy your tickets
Day 1 - including gala dinner
Cambridge China Centre members: £150 + VAT
Non-members: £250 + VAT
Day 2 - Pitch sessions
Free for pitching companies and investors.
Tickets to observe - free of charge to members of Cambridge China Centre
Non-member observer tickets: £75 + VAT
UK investment from Asia on the rise
Foreign investment in UK tech sectors is on the rise once more.
Levels slumped in the first half of 2018, but picked up in the second half of the year. Newly-released figures for the first half of 2019 show this recovery has stepped up and investment levels have reached record highs.
Asia and North America are the leader sources, with a combined £3.7billion in the first half of 2019 - surpassing the $2.9billion invested throughout 2018.
According to Dealroom.co, these two regions are investing more in UK tech sectors than the rest of Europe combined.
There is a significant difference in how North American and Asian investors are engaging with UK tech sectors.
Tech Nation’s August 2019 report reveals that 2019 increases in US and Canadian venture capital and corporate investments parallels an increased number of funding rounds by UK tech companies.
Investment from Asia, meanwhile, follows a different trend, with more capital invested in UK tech companies over fewer rounds.
A combination of conditions are believed to be behind these results.
Temporary factors include the weakened value of Sterling and an emerging ‘hedging’ phenomenon, in which investors cautious about China and US trade disputes are attracted to a reliable third market. Chinese investment in the US has made a huge fall from its peak in 2016 to the lowest level in a decade.
Longer-standing reasons for the increase in UK investment include strong IP protection, favourable visa permits for investors and favourable conditions for establishing a presence in Europe.
The UK’s record of innovation - and Cambridge’s in particular - is certainly proving appealing to venture capital and corporate funds.
The outlook for investing, along with the subjects of export, technology areas and IP protection will be key topics for discussion at the Cambridge China Forum 2019.
About the Cambridge China Centre
Cambridge China Centre is a not-for-profit membership organisation that facilitates interaction and collaboration between members.
It hosts the annual Cambridge China Forum, and co-ordinates regular pitch sessions and business events, helping to connect members, UK businesses and China-based investors. Members benefit from support from a high-calibre advisory board. To become a member, cambridgechinacentre.org.
