AUSTRALIAN HEALTH-TECH MISSION TO ASIA
Helping leading-edge health tech companies access capital and scale in Asia
HONG KONG 12-17 May 2024
watch overview
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THREE STEPS TO COMMERCIAL SUCCESS IN ASIA
Step One
PREPARATION
- Pre-Departure Workshops – what will it take for you to succeed?
- APACFS HK team to assess local prospects and opportunities
- Refining your pitch, value proposition and local strategy
- Practice pitch sessions with mentors and experts
- Virtual meetings with pre-qualified investors
- Apply to join the mission
STEP Two
MARKET VISIT
- Asian Summit on Global Health
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Insights and intelligence
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InnoHealth Showcase
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Deal Making
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Live Project Pitch
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- Curated visits to HK Incubators
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HK Science and Technology Park (for biotechs, includes visits to local facilities – clinical trials, R&D centres, labs etc)
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Cyberport (for digital health solutions – wellness, diagnostics, smart living etc.)
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- One-on-one meetings with pre-qualified HealthTech Investors
- Networking with local health experts, influencers and Government officials
Step Three
FOLLOW UP
- Establish a local presence
- Apply for local grants and incentive programs
- Follow up all investor leads
- Develop a local commercialisation strategy
- Negotiations
- Closing
THE THREE MAIN BENEFITS OF ATTENDING
ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND FUNDING
- Meet potential investors, venture capitalists, institutions and professional investors (e.g. Family Offices, Foundations, NFPs, NGOs) in Hong Kong, that can fund and support your healthcare innovations
- Establish local partnerships, and distributors, and apply for grants and funding support from local government and agencies
SO WHAT?
- Increase your chances of securing investment capital and funding, leading to a tangible increase in revenue and growth for your business
- Secure capital from a local partner who can protect your interests and co-manage your local operation in unfamiliar territory
EXPAND YOUR MARKET IN ASIA
- Commercialise and capitalise on your innovative healthcare technology and scale up in Asia, starting with Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area
- Tap into the vast Asian market and promote your business to the 72 million people in the Greater Bay Area
SO WHAT?
- Increase market share, revenue, profits and growth opportunities for your business
ESTABLISH A LOCAL PRESENCE IN ASIA
Learn how to establish a Hong Kong-based company and create a local presence in Asia
- Gain access to the platform in the HK-GBA-China corridor and tap into a network of trusted connections, networks and friends
- Gain access to ASEAN markets via Hong Kong as a sales and marketing office
SO WHAT?
- Increase revenue, profit and growth opportunities for your business
MISSION ADVISERS
Prof. Vitus Leung
PhD, DPA, BBS, JP
As Principal Partner of Vitus Lawyers in Hong Kong, Prof. Vitus Leung delivers comprehensive legal expertise, holding memberships in the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Election Committee of Hong Kong [Medical & Health Services]. Proficient across diverse legal domains, he chairs hospital governing committees and assumes executive roles in healthcare associations. Furthermore, he serves as an Honorary and Adjunct Professor at esteemed universities, underscoring his dedication to academia. His commitment extends beyond legal practice; he provides counsel to numerous Non Governmental Organizations, actively contributing to social causes and community welfare. His multifaceted contributions reflect a steadfast dedication to advancing legal scholarship and serving the broader societal good.
Prof. Albert Cheung Hoi Yu
PhD, JP
Dr. Albert Cheung Hoi Yu is a renowned bio-entrepreneur and scientist with extensive experience in neuroscience and molecular diagnostics. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked at UCSF, Stanford, HKUST, and Peking University. Dr. Yu has authored numerous scientific papers, commentaries, and books, and holds multiple patents for his inventions. He founded HKLife and leads a team developing the BioRadar® System for automatic diagnostics. Recognized with awards such as the National Science and Technology Progress Award and the Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan Product Differentiation Excellence Award, Dr. Yu is actively involved in both academia and business. He plays a pivotal role in promoting biotechnology development in Asia and is the driving force behind BIOHK, an international biotech convention facilitating collaboration, idea exchange, and product showcasing in the region.
Michael Woods
Michael combines his extensive strategic, commercial, financial and project management expertise with his passion for the life science and early stage startup sectors to advise and invest in early stage companies. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and Science (Genetics, Accounting and Finance) at Melbourne University, he joined the Macquarie Group, spending 13 years in investment banking, funds management, private equity and project management working in Melbourne, Seoul, Moscow, Almaty, and London. During this time, he advised Australian businesses on capital raising strategies, and took increasingly active asset management and strategic development roles, leading ultimately to the leadership of investment activities for a A$1billion investment fund in Russia, the establishment of a start-up company in Kazakhstan and executive roles in a pre-revenue project in the Philippines.
Dr. Garry Willinge
Dr. Garry Willinge is involved in management consulting, corporate advisory, M&A, capital markets and leadership development, with clients and partners across Asia (esp. China, Hong Kong and Taiwan), USA, South America, UK & Australia. He is an entrepreneur, angel investor and has equity interests in companies across a number of sectors around the world. Living and working in and out of Hong Kong for almost 20 years, initially as head of IBM Global Services at IBM China/Hong Kong Limited until 2005, he is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors and chairman of the AICD Hong Kong Executive Advisory Committee.
WHO SHOULD COME?
OUR MISSION IS DESIGNED FOR LEADING-EDGE AUSTRALIAN
HEALTH-TECH ENTREPRENEURS, START-UPS, SCALE-UPS AND
ESTABLISHED COMPANIES IN FOUR PRIORITY AREAS:
WELLNESS
Health supplements
Wearable technology
Mental Health apps
Digital Health solutions
Holistic health innovations
PREVENTION
Diagnostic tools
AI-driven diagnostics
Medical devices
Pharmaceuticals
Injury prevention
CURE
Life sciences
Drug discovery
Complex therapies
Biotech advancements
Immunotherapy solutions
CARE
Postoperative recovery
Aged care assistance
Patient monitoring
Medication administration
AI and robotics
HERE’S WHAT PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING…
CHRISTOPHER BOYER
Director and CBO, Tessara Therapeutics Pty Ltd
“David and his team more than delivered on their promise to introduce our company to opportunities in Hong Kong and China. In a busy few days, we met several potential investors, commercial partners and various other regional facilitators, very much engaged in our story and ready to do business. The doors are open, the interest is strong, the industry infrastructure is astounding, the incentives are compelling, the commercial opportunities are real, and the time is now to catch the wave of investment in HK biotech. David leveraged his local networks and deep relationship capital to pull this all together in an action-packed schedule of meetings, presentations and pitch sessions in front of major investors pre-screened for their focus in early-stage biotech. I can hardly imagine a more efficient way for our company to break into the Chinese market.”
GAVIN COOTE
Chairman, Futureproof
“The broad cross-section of business relationships introduced to the delegates through a well-planned program provided a pragmatic view on doing business in the region and fast tracked opportunities to expand business interests in a very short time frame; which otherwise may take years to cultivate. The hand-picked delegates and counter parties which included CEOs, investors, corporate advisers, trade officials and regional technology luminaries fostered a high tempo, well informed and quality experience to accelerate business expansion and decision making. Highly recommend making the commitment.”
BARRY DOYLE
Flomatrix
“The trip far exceeded my expectations – from the organisation of the itinerary and hospitality shown to us by the local network, right through to the quality and number of influential connections and investment opportunities awaiting us in HK, everything was really excellent. David is also remarkably well connected in HK which was very clear when on the ground there.”
SHANE MULLER
Founder and Visionary, Safe Watch
“I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in a Health-Tech Mission to Hong Kong as part of a delegation arranged by David Thomas. He clearly has authentic and key connections within the Hong Kong region and did an amazing job to set up a packed mission with maximum exposure to the right connections. Having been part of this, I would not recommend a business seek to expand or seek investment partners on their own in Hong Kong – but instead, gain leverage by partnering with David and his team. I’d recommend this to any aligned company seeking investment, expansion and strategic connections within the region!”
BERNIE ROMANIN
CEO, GMDX Genomics
“David facilitated and managed group sessions with potential investors very well ensuring we all got to spend time with each investor group in attendance. The 2 investor roundtable sessions were jam packed but we were able to connect with everyone. We have over 30 potential investors to follow-up. The social engagements and evening networking sessions were high-class and also very beneficial. We have established several very valuable introductions that will be pivotal in our plans to expand our business into Asia.”
PENELOPE LANE
CEO, ESFAM Biotech
“The introductions and insights to Hong Kong, business, culture, government policy and networks were valuable. It was a purposeful, rapid and efficient program that provided a higher level and deeper dive into securing investment from HK and beyond. I have many leads and opportunities to follow up for our business as a result. For business leaders seeking an efficient insight and overview of a region this mission is recommended, and I look forward to keeping in touch with David and his team as the leads generated on the mission mature.”
MEET YOUR MISSION LEADER
DAVID THOMAS
He has motivated global business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to explore the vast growth potential of modern China and build long-term, mutually valuable relationships.
Why David is the ‘master’ key to Asian access:
- His family background in Hong Kong brings a rare cultural sensitivity and connection which builds trust and confidence with influential leaders
- His ‘black book’ of long-term trusted relationships assures fast access to the right people in Asia
- His lifetime commitment to helping Australians succeed in Asia brings confident mission leadership that delivers success
- His international team of multi-disciplinary specialists, including a deeply experienced Hong Kong team, ensure the highest standard of mission execution