Co-Founder & Managing Partner Lap Man serves as a judge to select 10 pitching contest winners

HONG KONG, May 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Ventures has become one of two signature sponsors of the Start-up Express incubation programme designed to help new enterprises source funding, build business networks and get established in mainland China and beyond.

The Hong Kong-focused venture capital fund took on sponsorship at the invitation of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) think tank.

Beyond Ventures Co-Founder & Managing Partner Lap Man served as one of a panel of judges to help draw up a shortlist of 40 from more than 120 fledgling enterprises during the first stage of the Start-up Express programme. Other judges were from the HKTDC, OHKF, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Hong Kong Cyberport and the Hong Kong X Foundation.

Each of the 40 start-ups then presented a business plan to the panel behind closed doors, after which 20 finalists were selected to compete in today's pitching contest and present at the HKTDC's Entrepreneur Day event.

Ten winners arising from today's event will have the opportunity to take part in a succession of high-profile marketing events in Hong Kong and overseas -- a business-building privilege worth about HK$160,000.

Start-up Express has won support from a host of business leaders, as well as 17 universities and a number of venture capital firms, plus research institutions and other organisations. These include the Hong Kong Business Angel Network and NiCubator, a project established by actor and entrepreneur Nicholas Tse.

Lap Man said: "Start-up Express is an enlightening incubation programme that will provide start-ups with substantial input from successful business leaders via counselling sessions, as well as help to find investors and partners. The beneficiary start-ups will also have the opportunity to develop their businesses overseas by taking part in trade promotion events run by the HKTDC."

Beyond Ventures describes itself as being "From Hong Kong For Hong Kong" and seeks to revitalise the local innovation ecosystem by bringing together venture and private equity funds, along with resourceful mentors and entrepreneurs, to nurture start-ups.

Lap Man added: "I have been involved in many pitching events since Beyond Ventures launched in September last year, and have found the quality of Hong Kong start-ups today to be of a very high standard. In fact, Beyond Ventures will be interested in talking further with some of the companies I have met during this event."

The five stages of the Start-up Express programme begin with "Know the Basics", featuring induction workshops on subjects such as financing, business law, accounting and marketing -- all with the aim of equipping start-ups with essential business skills and market intelligence.

Stage-2 is "Be Enlightened", during which start-ups meet privately with successful business leaders and entrepreneurs to talk about secrets to success.

Next is "Explore the Market", involving study missions to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to explore business and partnership opportunities. This is followed by the "Spread Your Wings" stage, which is about taking part in high-profile HKTDC exhibitions and trade promotion events to connect with buyers and investors. Lastly, "Rise Above" involves brand promotion assistance from Nicholas Tse's NiCubator initiative.

Lap Man, who is also Founder and CEO of DYXnet Group -- Greater China's leading carrier-neutral network service provider -- said: "Beyond Ventures is very pleased to be asked to take on signature sponsorship of Start-up Express. I believe this incubation programme demonstrates that Hong Kong's momentum in terms of spawning innovation and entrepreneurialism really is gathering strength."

About Beyond Ventures

Beyond Ventures is a Hong Kong-based venture capital fund established by eGarden Ventures in partnership with locally-grown serial entrepreneurs. eGarden Ventures is a venture capital fund focused on technology, media and telecoms (TMT) and holds an 18-year investment track record in mainland China. The fund is also supported by leading investment company Hony Capital, which manages more than US$10 billion in assets.

Adopting the slogan "From Hong Kong For Hong Kong", Beyond Ventures seeks to revitalise Hong Kong's innovation ecosystem by bringing experienced venture and private equity funds together with successful entrepreneurs able to provide start-ups with mentoring support. 

Running the fund is a trio comprising Alex Fang, a seasoned venture capitalist in Hong Kong and China and co-founder of eGarden Ventures; Lap Man, Founder and CEO of DYXnet Group; and Marvin Hung, Vice Chairman of Hung's Group and Executive Director and CEO of Hop Hing Group Holdings Limited (stock code: 47). 

Beyond Ventures is the only venture capital fund focusing solely on Hong Kong. It aims to help start-ups grow and extend their business networks throughout and beyond Hong Kong by drawing on vast experience accumulated by the founders, as well as the extensive resources held in mainland China and elsewhere by Hony Capital and eGarden Ventures. For more information about Beyond Ventures, please visit the official website at www.beyondventures.hk

Press contact
Floria Chan
Beyond Ventures
fchan@beyondventures.hk
+852 2187 7606