The Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF) announced its first batch of investment partners during the grand opening of HKU Techno-Entrepreneurship Academy in Shenzhen Qianhai
Last year, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) launched the Entrepreneurship Engine Fund (EEF) intending to spearhead a revolutionary initiative to invigorate entrepreneurial drive and propel scientific and technological breakthroughs to unprecedented levels. The EEF is now taking shape and will primarily function as a premiere "mother" fund, strategically allocating capital to top-tier early-stage investment institutions domestically and internationally to cultivate a network of "patient capital" around HKU's trailblazing ventures. This visionary investment model prioritises nurturing seed and early-stage deep-tech startups, with the partners taking the lead in investing into HKU start-ups, aiming to ramp up the rapid ascent of promising businesses.
The initial group of investment partners has been carefully selected through a rigorous recruitment and evaluation process. They will work together with other investors to establish new funds or participate in existing ones, demonstrating their commitment to supporting exceptional HKU innovative enterprises.
The joint fund partners include DEFTA Partners, CASSTAR, and Gobi Partners. DEFTA Partners is a Silicon Valley venture capital firm which focuses on early-stage investments in the medical and healthcare sectors. CASSTAR, based in Xi'an and Beijing, specialises in early-stage "hard technology" investments and is renowned for its integrated startup ecosystem. Gobi Partners, with headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, focuses on Asian emerging markets and has extensive investment experience in the Greater Bay Area.
The lead investment partners include Beyond Ventures, InnoAngel Fund, Everbright, and ZhenFund. Beyond Ventures, led by experienced Hong Kong serial entrepreneurs, focuses on early-stage projects and has successful exit cases in both Hong Kong and mainland China. InnoAngel Fund, derived from Tsing Hua, was founded by angel investors and well-known entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and mainland China and concentrates on venture building and investment in early-stage technology innovation projects. China Everbright Limited (Everbright, stock code: 165.HK) has 26 years of experience in cross-border financial services and contributes to advancing science and technology in Hong Kong through investments and incubation. ZhenFund, one of China's earliest angel investment institutions, has a long history of supporting young entrepreneurs and investing in startups.
These selected partners, with diverse investment backgrounds and a solid dedication to fostering technological innovation and nurturing early-stage projects, bring a wealth of expertise and extensive resource networks that will significantly enhance HKU's entrepreneurial ecosystem. This alliance of "patient capital" partners will establish a robust entrepreneurial support system, empowering HKU to discover and cultivate the next generation of leaders in technological innovation, positioning the University as a driving force for innovation."
