HKPC and Durian Jointly Promote Startup Development in HK and Thailand

Hong Kong has one of the fastest growing startup ecosystems in the world with a vibrant startup community. Recently, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) collaborated with Durian Corporation Company Limited (Durian), a startup platform from Thailand, to fuel the growth of startup ecosystems in both places.

The collaborative agreement was signed in Bangkok on 4 January 2018 between Mr Mohamed D. Butt, Executive Director of HKPC, and Mr Olarn Weranond, CEO & Co-founder of Durian.

Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of HKPC, who witnessed the agreement signing, said, “HKPC set up the ‘Inno Space’ in October 2017, aiming to nurture a startup culture and promote re-industrialization in Hong Kong. Leveraging Durian’s experience and network in connecting investors with startups, this collaboration will facilitate exchange between Hong Kong and Thai startups, helping them identify investors and market opportunities.”

Under the agreement, both parties will establish a “co-footprint” reciprocal arrangement for a respective membership of Inno Space and Durian, for facilities sharing and service referral. Inno Space will support entrepreneurs by providing one-stop services in prototyping and compliance to standards, as well as introducing manufacturing partners for small batch and mass production. In return, Durian will share Thai market knowledge and networking opportunities. Furthermore, there will be joint startup training activities.

Since establishment, Inno Space has been striving to connect and complement other players in the startup spaces to support the development of local startups. Last year, it set up a “co-footprint” arrangement with Space Tank Studio from Australia and forged a strategic partnership with Fraunhofer IPT from Germany, advocate of “Industry 4.0” movement. The collaboration with Durian will further enable Hong Kong startup companies to expand their international network.

Furthermore, riding on the synergy with the soon-to-be-opened “HKPC Institute of Innovation & Technology (Shenzhen)”, local startups can find appropriate Mainland manufacturers for mass production, and showcase their innovations to Mainland investors for business collaboration.

For more information of Inno Space and its membership scheme, please contact Stephanie Huang, Centre Manager of Inno Space, at tel.: (852) 2788 6118 or email: innospace@hkpc.org. For media enquiries, please contact Chloe Chau at tel.: (852) 2788 6158 or email: chloechau@hkpc.org.

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Justina Shum
Senior Manager
Corporate Development
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: justina@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

5 January 2018

Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of HKPC (fifth from left) witnesses the signing of agreement between Mr Mohamed D. Butt, Executive Director of HKPC (fourth from left); and Mr Olarn Weranond, CEO & Co-founder of Durian (fifth from right). Under the agreement, the two parties will join hands to promote startup ecosystems in Hong Kong and Thailand.