New York ETO promotes Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem in North Carolina (with photos)
​The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Ms Maisie Ho, visited Raleigh, North Carolina from October 28 to 29 (Raleigh time) to strengthen ties with interlocutors in business, technology, and education sectors.
Ms Ho attended the Raleigh Internet of Things (RIoT) Demo Night, an annual demonstration and networking event hosted by the RIoT initiative which fosters collaboration among start-ups, established companies, entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Before the event, she met with the Executive Director of RIoT, Mr Thomas Snyder and discussed potential partnership and exchange activities between start-ups and incubators in the Research Triangle Park of North Carolina and Hong Kong.
On the same day, Ms Ho visited Innovate Carolina, the central team for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill). She met with the Director of New Ventures and Partnerships, Dr Bryant Moore, and the Director of Economic Development and Innovation Hubs, Ms Sheryl Waddell, to learn more about Innovate Carolina and explore possible collaborations in the future. During the meeting, Ms Ho introduced Hong Kong's growing start-up ecosystem and strategic focuses, as well as the various talent attraction schemes available to entrepreneurs and young professionals graduating from the UNC Chapel Hill. The UNC Chapel Hill is on the list of eligible universities under Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme.
Ms Ho also met with the Chief Executive Officer and President of First Flight Venture Centre, Ms Krista Covey. The centre is one of the most prominent incubators in the Research Triangle Park. During the meeting, Ms Ho introduced the latest measure in the 2024 Policy Address in attracting international start-up accelerators to establish a presence in Hong Kong through the I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme.
In addition, she discussed areas of mutual interests during her meeting with the Vice President for Advocacy of business organisation of the Chamber for Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Mr Ian Scott.
Ms Ho was accompanied by the Head of Business and Talent Attraction / Invest Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in New York, Mr Ranjit Unnithan, during her visit to Raleigh.
