Kuala Lumper, October 18, 2021 – The annual startup event of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund (“AEF”) is back and open for applications by companies in Southeast Asia now until November 28, 2021.
This year, HSBC is the title sponsor of the event, which is now named Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund/HSBC JUMPSTARTER 2022 Global Pitch Competition (“JUMPSTARTER 2022”). AEF and HSBC will be working closely together to promote the event to startups worldwide including those in Southeast Asia, and encourage interaction and experience sharing among entrepreneurs.
The top 100 entrants will be selected by the judging panel and enter the pitching phase in December. The top 10 will participate in the finals early next year, competing for a total of up to USD4 million investment* and other various awards. Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, co-organizers of the event, will take part in a joint investment to provide further support to fuel the growth of startups.
The top 10 finalists of JUMPSTARTER 2022 will have the opportunities to participate in exchange programs and/or market research activities managed by AEF in Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area (“GBA”) of China. In addition, JUMPSTARTER 2022 will arrange industry experts to share their experience, helping startups to understand more about the market environment in the GBA and expand their business network, so as to identify opportunities for future growth.
Meanwhile, the top 100 of JUMPSTARTER 2022 will take part in the Alibaba Netpreneur Training Program. The quota is increased from the top 20 last year to the top 100 this year, as a way to provide network and resource support, apart from capital, for the startups.
Cindy Chow, Executive Director of Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, said, “Since onset of the pandemic, like other startups, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund has never slowed down its pace and continued to respond to market change in a swift and active manner. Noticing the rapid development of the startup ecosystem and market, JUMPSTARTER 2022 caters to the current trend and focuses on five sectors including Fintech, Deep Tech, Healthcare, Art Tech and Sustainability. It hopes to act as a bridge to connect the startups, facilitating them to learn more about the latest trends in the market. AEF believes that JUMPSTARTER 2022 can encourage and support the startups to further develop, injecting new impetus into Hong Kong and other cities in the GBA.”
Christina Ong, Head of Business Banking, Commercial Banking, Hong Kong, HSBC, said: “HSBC is committed to supporting start-ups and small businesses across all sectors along their growth journey. As an up-and-coming economic powerhouse, the Greater Bay Area offers the combined strengths of an international capital market for fundraising, research capabilities, manufacturing facilities and an enormous consumer market for start-ups to grow and thrive. JUMPSTARTER 2022 offers an excellent platform for entrepreneurial talents to capture the ample market opportunities in this vibrant city cluster, and unleash their potential over time.”
JUMPSTARTER 2022 is open to startups that have been operating for less than five years and plan to expand into Hong Kong or other cities in the GBA (see below appendix for more requirements).
Another highlight this year is the four online sharing sessions in early November that will target startups from cities in Mainland China, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia. Successful startups and experts from a variety of industries will be invited to share their experiences during their entrepreneurial period, such as how to solve problems, the reasons for choosing Hong Kong or other cities in the GBA to develop business, analyze the business environment in the region, and the development opportunities of multiple emerging industries.
Since its establishment, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund has invested approximately USD80 million into 55 startups^, attracting co-investment funding of about USD2 billion to support these startups. Its investment portfolio covers a wide range of areas, including green technology, educational technology, fintech, medical and healthcare, logistics and e-commerce.
JUMPSTARTER 2022 is now open for application. Interested parties can visit www.jumpstarter.hk/tc for more information.
