Infiniti Lab opens: A new home for entrepreneurs
• Infiniti Lab officially opens to nurture Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit
• Propels startup companies toward their pursuit of innovation for smart cities
• Thought leaders to inspire Hong Kong’s entrepreneur community
• Related Story: Infiniti partners with Nest® in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (August 25, 2015) – Infiniti has launched its brand new entrepreneurship initiative – the Founder Series – in Hong Kong. It is a three-pronged initiative comprised of three elements:
• Infiniti Lab, a co-working space tailored to entrepreneurs and situated on the first floor of Infiniti’s flagship showroom in Hong Kong
• The Infiniti Accelerator, a startup development program driven by Nest®, Hong Kong’s leading early-stage investment company
• The Infiniti Speaker Series, a thought-leadership program involving global and local speakers
Infiniti’s aim is to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong.
“The Infiniti brand has always had an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, aiming to deliver a new concept of premium automotive ownership where a personal and rewarding driving experience is part of the Infiniti ownership experience,” said Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Company Limited. “In this spirit, Infiniti has developed many world first technologies bringing the latest innovations to our customers. As a reflection of this entrepreneurial and innovative mindset, we are establishing the Founder Series to support creative entrepreneurs who share the same mindset and vision.”
Nicholas W. Yang, JP, Member of Executive Council, Hong Kong SAR Government, participated inthe Infiniti Lab opening ceremony.
“I am most excited to see another major entry to the growing Hong Kong’s innovation and entrepreneur eco-system,” said Yang. “Infiniti is a top-notch global brand name built on innovation and technology. I look forward to seeing world-class achievements from the startups of Infiniti Lab and the Infiniti Accelerator.”
Infiniti Accelerator: Smart Cities
Driven by Nest, startup companies worked on innovative ideas around Smart Cities. The application process started in June this year. When applications closed on August 15, 145 startup companies from around the world had applied to the program.
Up to eight startups will be selected to join the Accelerator and receive support from Infiniti and Nest®. This support includes mentorship by specialists in the areas of Smart Cities, hardware, manufacturing, transportation, technology and marketing. The startups selected to join the Infiniti Accelerator will have access to the Infiniti Lab, and at the end of the 12-week program they will have the opportunity to pitch their business for further funding at an investor Demo Day.
“We are excited to be partnering with one of the world’s most exciting car companies,” said Simon Squibb, CEO of Nest®. “In Asia, Hong Kong has a head start in figuring what makes a city smart, and this program will develop technologies that will make the cities of the future cleaner, more efficient, and ultimately more intelligent. The Infiniti Lab will give founders access to an incredible facility in the heart of Hong Kong that will also allow them rub shoulders with key players in smart technology.”
For more information, visit:
Infiniti Lab
The Infiniti Lab is co-working space on the first floor of Infiniti’s flagship showroom in Hong Kong. Starting from mid-September, the Infiniti Lab will be home for the eight startups selected to join the Infiniti Accelerator program, as well as the venue for hosting the Infiniti Speaker Series. “The Infiniti Lab is an exciting new home for entrepreneur talent,” said Dane Fisher, managing director of Asia and Oceania at Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd. “It is a purpose-built venue to house the Infiniti Accelerator and its startups during their 12-week program, providing them easy access to the talent and expertise within Infiniti as well as the wider business community. In achieving this we will be able to support the startups to quickly develop their business proposition allowing them scale rapidly, which is hugely exciting for all of us.”
In addition, the opening of Infiniti Lab will provide space for a rotating roster of startup companies to showcase their projects in Hong Kong. It will also create opportunities for commercial partners to display concepts and products, which will drive innovation and constructive interactions within the Hong Kong business community.
Infiniti Speaker Series
In the last element of this three-pronged initiative, Infiniti will invite entrepreneurs and business leaders to join the Infiniti Speaker Series to share their insights and experience with the Accelerator program’s participants and the wider entrepreneur community. Some of the confirmed speakers are Simon Long, Founder and CEO of innovative lending platform WeLend; Clive Jackson, Founder and CEO of on-demand jet charter service Victor; and Timothy Oulton, Founder and Creative Director of Timothy Oulton.
“As a brand we want to embody entrepreneurship, and there is no better place to start this journey than the dynamic and well-developed urban infrastructure hub known as Hong Kong,” said Fisher. “These programs will inspire, motivate and educate not only the startups but our staff, which will help develop and explore new business models that can change our business and that of our customers for the better. We are proud to be part of this ecosystem and support the entrepreneurs as they make their ideas reality.”
For more information about the Infiniti Lab program and upcoming activities, please visit infinitihklab.com/.
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