Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2008 - Monetize Unexpected Innovations and Unusual Creativity That Change the World

18 November 2008 (Hong Kong) – About 300 investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in the ICT, digital media and creative industries attended Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2008 (CVCF 2008), listening to and learning innovative ideas to develop and build novel "contrarian" companies that change the dynamics of doing business. The SME and start-up participants were especially inspired by the innovative ways of doing business that optimize monetary return and help to endure hard times.

Venture capitalists, industry leaders and entrepreneurial founders of local and international companies drew from their experiences and shared case studies with the participants on how they managed to create impressive financial results out of "nowhere". CVCF 2008's theme of "Monetize Unexpected Innovations and Unusual Creativity that Change the World" turned out to be extremely fitting at a time of economic turmoil.

"It is great to see that participants have found CVCF 2008 useful and helpful. In difficult times such as the present global financial turmoil, it requires totally innovative ideas for businesses to thrive and survive. We see CVCF 2008 as a perfect platform connecting investors, entrepreneurs and professionals in the ICT, digital media and creative industries to develop new ideas and collaborate together to enhance their businesses," said Mr. Nicholas Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited.

"We are very glad to see so many SMEs today. In light of the current credit crunch, the Hong Kong SAR Government has just announced a Special SME Loan Guarantee Scheme to provide HK$10 billion liquidity to the needy SMEs. On the hand, CVCF 2008 inspires SMEs with new ideas and insights which can be quite useful at difficult times," Mr. Yang added.

Local start-up companies in the ICT industry showcased their creative business solutions to potential investors in an exhibition concurrently held with the forum today. Next to this exhibition was the display of creative products made by self-taught inventors and young designers in Hong Kong. Participants of the forum were amazed by these creative presentations.

CVCF, an annual signature event organized by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, had been held for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007. CVCF 2008 continued the tradition of presenting a uniquely creative theme each year which is well-received by the audience and results in a big success.

Three keynote sessions and three specially designed panel sessions were presented at CVCF 2008. Profiles of the three invited keynote speakers are as follows:

Mr. Harry Man, Partner of Matrix Partners China
Mr. Man has ten years of experience of investment in the telecom, media and tech industries. Mr. Man led the corporate development department of Linktone Ltd. (NASDAQ: LTON), the first pure-play China wireless company listed in the U.S. before he joined Matrix Partners China. Mr. Man was responsible for corporate strategy, strategic investments and mergers & acquisitions in the wireless, digital media and online and mobile gaming businesses. Before Linktone, he served in the corporate development department of Chinadotcom (NASDAQ: CHINA), the first Chinese Internet company listed in the U.S.

Dr. Lindsay Moore, CEO, KLM, Inc.
Dr. Moore is the Founder and CEO of KLM Inc., and also a Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. She was also one of the original founders, and later the General Manager of Strategy and Innovation, at Celestial Seasonings, Inc., an international specialty tea company.

Dr. Moore has published many articles and has served as a keynote speaker at numerous national and international conferences on strategy, branding, corporate ethics, finance, intellectual capital, and the management of intellectual assets. She will also be the guest speaker at the "Business Insight Executive Luncheon: How to Best Monetize Your Intellectual Capital", one of the CVCF complementary programmes held on 19 November 2008.

Mr. Jonathan Staenberg, Managing Director of Staenberg Venture Partners
Mr. Staenberg has worked with venture-backed technology companies for 20 years in several capacities: as founder, manager and investor. As an entrepreneur, he has established two companies, served on the senior management team of several early-stage organizations and provided venture capital funding to more than 100 start-ups.

CVCF 2008 is supported by its Key Sponsor, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Jardine OneSolution (HK) Limited, Research in Motion and Samsung Electronics HK Co. Ltd. are the Platinum Sponsors. Monte Jade Science and Technology Association of Hong Kong (MJHK) and Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited are the Gold Sponsors, while A-World Consulting Limited, Centre for Innovation and Technology, Faculty of Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (HKVCPEA), International Payment Solutions Limited and ISS EastPoint Property Management Limited are the Silver Sponsors. The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Faculty of Business Administration of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKVCPEA and MJHK are the co-organizers of the event, with the backing from 36 supporting organizations. CVCF 2008's Exclusive Chinese Media Partner is Hong Kong Economic Times, and Metro Finance is its Official Radio Channel.