In today’s world business is global and technology can easily transcend boarders, yet nothing matches human face-to-face interactions. On 18th October 2016, twelve of Scotland’s most exciting technology businesses will travel nearly 6,000 miles to present their companies in Hong Kong.
EIE Hong Kong is the international expansion of ‘Engage, Invest, Exploit’ one of the UK’s most recognised investor conferences held in Edinburgh and London every year. EIE HK is an opportunity for local investors, entrepreneurs and organisations to gain insight into investment opportunities from a hand full of Scotland’s leading technology businesses.
We spoke to Bruce Walker the founder of WeAreTheFuture – who we’ve met in Hong Kong many times already – and are very happy to have him bring his fellow Scots to Hong Kong. Lets see what Bruce has to say:
Tell us about yourself Bruce:
I’m the 22 year old Founder of WeAreTheFuture, a global entrepreneurship organisation that hosts international summits and programmes around the world. I started the organisation when I was 17 in a High School classroom and over the last five years have grown the organisation across 11 cities worldwide and host the UK’s leading gathering for entrepreneurs, the Startup Summit.
I’m passionate about social innovation and believe that entrepreneurs have the power to use business as a force for good. As well as leading WATF, I’m a Founder Partner of FutureX and Chairman of The Entrepreneur’s Foundation.
What is WATF?
We host international summits around the world to inspire and connect entrepreneurs. From global summits with over 1,000 people, to intimate accelerate programmes with 10 people we’re passionate about providing opportunities to entrepreneurs.
We’ve hosted our summits and programmes across the US, Europe, Middle East and for the first time this year in Asia. Working with some of the world’s most recognised entrepreneurs and organisations, from Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin, to Apple, Google and AirBnB.
What is the Scottish Startup scene like?
Scotland is in the middle of an entrepreneurship boom, with a strong eco-system supporting entrepreneurs from ideation to billion dollar valuation. The industries are diverse, encompassing everything from food and drink, tourism, textile, life sciences, energy and technology.
World class universities like the University of Edinburgh are producing talent at a rapid rate, which is attracting big technology companies to setup a presence – Microsoft, Amazon, Disney, Oracle and even Apple have offices in Scotland.
From the world’s largest free business accelerator, Entrepreneurial Spark, to Europe’s largest technology incubator, CodeBase – Scotland is the fasting growing tech scene in the UK outside London.
What are some of the famous startups from Scotland?
As well as global companies setting up shop in Scotland, our home grown talent includes ‘Unicorns’ Skyscanner and FanDuel, as well as gaming giants, Rockstar North and 4J Studios who are behind video games ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘Minecraft Xbox Edition’, respectfully.
How do Scots see HK and Asia?
Scotland has a historic link to Hong Kong, with many Scots migrating to HK over many years and it was a Scot who founded HSBC in the eighteen hundreds.
In the modern world Scottish companies are even more globally minded and view HK as a great place to do business and a launch pad into other parts of Asia. One of our partners for the Hong Kong programme, The Asia Scotland Institute was created to forge greater links between Asia and Scotland recognising the great potential in strong collaboration.
What is EIE and why is it coming to HK and how do people sign up?
‘Engage, Invest, Exploit’ (EIE) is the UK’s leading technology investor conference hosted in Edinburgh and London every year. Created by Informatics Ventures and supported by Scottish Enterprise, EIE is a world leading tech investment showcase, attracting investors from all over the world – including DFJ Ventures, IBM and Sequoia Capital.
EIE is coming to HK, to showcase 12 of Scotland’s most exciting technology companies to a room of local investors, entrepreneurs and influencers. It’s an opportunity for the local eco-system to get a glimpse into leading technology emerging from Scotland and Europe.
EIE HK is free to attend, you just need to go: www.eie-hk.com
Are there opportunities for HK startups in Scotland?
There are huge opportunities for HK startups in Scotland – with incubators and accelerators actively looking to attract international talent to Scotland. At the Startup Summit in Edinburgh this November, which is the UK’s leading gathering for entrepreneurs we’re looking forward to welcoming your own Casey Lau as a panelist to explore how we can build greater links between HK & Scottish startups.
Do you like haggis?
Yes and I always eat it wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipes! – however, since becoming a vegetarian this year I’m stuck eating the veggie version.
