china

As the second biggest economy in the world, China poses significant opportunities as well as challenges for startups from the west, including the United Kingdom. The opportunities that await startups in China needs no introduction - Sam Michel wrote about this recently in his column for Chinwag.

Startling economic growth, a colossal population with staggering spending power and a large, active and growing investment community are just a few of the reasons why startups are beginning to ponder the opportunities in China.

UPDATE: Further information and the official application form for Digital Mission China Fintech 2017 are now live. Visit the website for more info.

Digital Mission China Fintech 2017 is designed to connect the UK's world-leading Fintech startups, advisors and investors with their peers in China. 

Following the establishment of the UK China FinTech Bridge, the mission will bring together the two ecosystems that are transforming financial services. This week-long trip to Shanghai and Beijing will provide a deep-dive into China's Fintech ecosystem exploring the speed, sophistication and rapid disruption taking place.

Fancy taking part? We'd love to understand your objectives so the mission programme can be tailored into the best possible knowledge gathering, networking and inspiring experience.

We're delighted to announce the Digital Mission to Maker Faire Shenzhen is open for applications. Designed specifically to support the UK's maker movement, the trip features a UK pavilion designed by car-makers MINI as part of their Modern British Roadshow and a specially designed programme for makers.

Designed for the UK's leading Makers - creative technologists and entrepreneurs - the mission combines a high-profile presence at the Maker Faire with visits to local hardware accelerators, manufacturers and local experts. It's a unique chance for insight into the Chinese market covering manufacturing, distribution, market entry and more.

Is your startup targeting the Asian market? The 2014 StartmeupHK Venture Programme offers a US$500,000 package of support for the 12 competition winners looking to setup in Hong Kong, recently cited as number one for startups by Forbes.

The final preparations for the Digital Mission to China taking in Maker Faire Shenzhen are being put into place, all that’s left to do is pack our bags, find someone to feed the cat/dog/chinchilla.

And of course some homework, read through this handy guide of 12 and a half top tips from Tom Whitwell, on what to read to be in the know and what to expect from this sort of faire.

UKTI are working with Huawei to offer small and medium enterprises SMEs the opportunity to join them on a Mission to China running on the 18-22 March 2013.

A British Government will be your guide round Huawei’s facilities to discuss their procurement processes and supply chain opportunities in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing & Shanghai.

There are discounts and grants available to participants. Deadline for applications 15 February 2013.

The deadline for UKTI's high profile Trade Mission to China (taking place 28th May - 1st June 2012) has been extended to end of play, Wednesday 25th April.

The multi-sector mission, which will be led by Lord Green, Minister of State for Trade & Investment, is timed to coincide with the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and will also include a "UK Day" Showcase with networking and bespoke b2b meetings, networking with Chinese government officials and more.

UKTI Trade and Investment are running a high profile Trade Mission to China from 28th May - 1st June 2012, led by Lord Green, Minister of State for Trade & Investment.

The multi-sector mission is timed to coincide with the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and will also include a "UK Day" Showcase with networking and bespoke b2b meetings, networking with Chinese government officials and more.

To apply, complete this application form and return to Allegra at B-to-B (details on form or below). Closing date for applications is Friday 20th April.

For the least three years, over 150 companies have taken part in Digital Missions to the tech centres of the US. The week before last, we met with a group of companies interested in heading East, to South East Asia and China.

Gathering at the offices of our hosts, Pinsent Masons, we talked through the outline plans that have been brewing at Chinwag Towers and had an in-depth discussion about the priorities for a potential Digital Mission™ to Singapore and Hong Kong including the primary objectives, timings and possible companies to meet on the trip.

Here's a quick summary of the discussion and an outline of the plans for what happens next and how to get involved:

UK Trade & Investment, the government agency responsible for helping firms develop their export potential and encourage foreign investment has announced a number of trade missions taking place this Autumn.

The six trips include five to the USA focused on cloud computing, app developers, 4G, mobile communications and digital media. An additional trip to China is planned to coincide with the UK/China Internet Forum with the delegation led by DCMS Minister Ed Vaizey.

In the US and Europe, iPhone and Android handsets might be grabbing all the headlines, but in the notoriously tricky Chinese market, Nokia is king of the app stores.

In a recent post on Mobile Entertainment blog, they reported:

Local study gives Nokia a 65.2 per cent share. According to the IResearch, Ovi is trouncing the competition, and leading the mighty China Mobile app store, which is currently accessed by 57.7 per cent of China's mobile subscribers.