The fourth-annual Asia Health Innovation Summit solidified the event's position as a premier gathering for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals in the region's health-innovation space. Aimed at driving bolder ideations and cross-sector collaborations, the event featured a full day of on-stage panel sessions with 35 speakers from Hong Kong and overseas, networking sessions for all attendees to directly connect, private roundtable sessions, as well as founder booths at the Startup Marketplace.

"Innovation is not just a goal," said Guillermo Ginesta, Managing Director of Brinc, "it is a necessity." He said Asia's healthcare systems are under pressure due to rapid population growth, aging demographics, and urbanization. "The future of healthcare in the region hinges on collaboration, innovation, and most importantly, action," he added. "At Brinc, we focus on empowering startups that can address these urgent needs."

In his keynote speech, Professor Dong Sun, JP,  Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the city was accelerating ahead to become an international innovation and technology centre, as well as a health and medical innovation hub — that was also renowned as one of the world's fundraising leaders for biotechnology companies.

As part of his opening speech, Invest HK's Head of Innovation & Technology Andy Wong emphasised Hong Kong's thriving ecosystem of startups, research institutes and talent. He also noted AI's emergence as a game-changer in healthtech, accelerating advances in drug discovery, surgical operations, gene editing, health services, and more.

The transformative potential of AI in health-innovation and healthcare was a highlight panel in the summit's agenda. It was also a key theme woven throughout the entire day of lively speaker discussions — that included trending topics such as harnessing Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area's startup ecosystem for global expansion, the importance of FemTech in transforming women's health, and the role of smart-ageing technology in the longevity industry.

Founders from companies — such as AILSI, Blissmi, Greater Bay Biotech Ltd, Ironmind.ai, OM HealthHub, Sol,  Well Being Digital (WBD101), and Zupe — highlighted the vast opportunities available within Hong Kong's startup ecosystem to build a healthier Asia. They also reiterated the city's solid R&D foundation, benefits of its strategic location within the Greater Bay Area, a supportive regulatory environment, and the fast-moving advancements in the local academic and research fields.

Amid the current market conditions, many speakers underlined that investment opportunities remain abundant, particularly for startups exploring new, innovative approaches. Accelerator programs, government grants, and strategic collaborations were highlighted as critical avenues for attracting funding and driving expansion success in the sector.

The 4th Asia Health Innovation Summit event concluded with closing remarks from Jayne Chan, Head of Startups, InvestHK. She reinforced Hong Kong's unique role in fostering collaborations and leading healthtech development in the Greater Bay Area, exemplified by the establishment of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong. "Its cultural and scientific synergy gives Hong Kong a distinctive advantage in fostering innovations that ultimately benefit the health and wellbeing of everyone," she said.

Brinc wishes to thank all panel participants of the Asia Healthcare Innovation Summit 2024 event:

Fostering Collaborative Innovation for a Healthier Asia

• Guillermo Ginesta, Managing Director, Brinc
• Anita Chau, Director, Ecosystem Development, Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Ltd.

Harnessing Hong Kong and GBA/SEA's Startup Ecosystem for Global Expansion

• Colin Ng, Founder & CEO, Greater Bay Biotech Ltd.
• Kow Ping, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Well Being Digital (WBD101)
• Bong Chan, Southern Region Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Leader/Lead Partner of Hong Kong Science Park Office, Deloitte China
  Moderator: Dr. Donna Brown, Associate Director, Biomedical Technology Cluster, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation

Breaking Barriers: The Role of FemTech in Transforming Women's Health

• Natasha King, Co-Founder, Blissmi
• Anca Griffiths, CEO & Co-Founder, OM HealthHub
• Grace Oh, Founder & CEO, Sol
  Moderator: Maaike Steinebach, Founder & CEO, FemTech Future Ltd.

Smart Ageing: The Role of Technology in Promoting Longevity

• Dr. Tony Wu, Co-Founder & CEO, Ninenovo Technology (Ringconn)
• Dr. Christine Yuan Huang, CEO & Founder, Quantum Life Ltd.
• Jacky Lio, Chief Medical Officer, Bowtie Life Insurance Co.
  Moderator: Dr. Jason Yin, Senior Analyst, Health, Economist Impact

From Strategy to Impact: Driving the Future of Healthcare with Digital Innovation

• Dr. Neeladri Verma, Manager, Health, Economist Impact
• Christopher Green, Chief Business Officer, Endiatx
• Dr. Khor Swee Kheng, CEO, Angsana Health Sdn Bhd
  Moderator: Manoj R. Dani, Founder & Director, Odyssey Consultants

Digital Wellness: Revolutionizing Wellbeing and Mental Health with Technology

• Jonathan Wan, CEO,  Ironmind.ai
• Dr. Jonathan Seah, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Zupe
• Dustin Ball, Partner, Asia Pacific Financial Services Leader, EY-Parthenon
  Moderator: Dee Cheung, Hong Kong Sales Manager, April International (Asia)

Market Update: Funding Strategies for Early-Stage Health-Tech Startups in Asia

• Emmanuel Hui, CEO, Tiger Jade Pebble Accelerator
• Adrian Lam, Managing Partner, Bioworld Ventures
• Philip Sin, Biotech Executive & Investor
  Moderator: Scarlett Chen, Managing Partner, Verge Healthtech Fund

AI Empowering Healthcare: Transformative Technologies in Asia

• Dr. Terence Tan, Lead, Healthcare/Life Sciences Startups Business Development, Asia Pacific & Japan, AWS
• Dr. Serena Yang, Founder & CEO, AILSI
• Dr. Frank Pun, Head of Hong Kong Office, Insilico
  Moderator: Chris Lloyd, Co-Founder, Healthcare Dialogues

Roundtable Hosts

• Castor Hui, Corporate Innovation Director, Brinc
• Angela Feng, Co-Founder, NESS Wellness

CONTACT: Merie Browne, merie.browne@brinc.io

With an expansive team across key regions including MENA, India, Singapore, China, and Japan, Brinc brings a decade of expertise in working closely with investors, startups, and industry mentors. By utilizing their strengths, Brinc and GWS will provide valuable resources to investors that strive to align their investment strategy with combating the climate crisis.

Since its founding, Brinc has invested in 241 companies across 48 countries and established itself as a crucial supporter of innovators, creating and running accelerator programs across a range of verticals including climate technology, food tech, medtech, and web3. Brinc's successful partnerships span large corporations, government bodies, and academic institutions, emphasizing its ability to scale and adapt to different ecosystems and needs. GWS continues to expand its network and increase focus on other verticals that tackle a host of obstacles as part of its commitment to a climate-friendly bioeconomy, and Brinc's data-driven and holistic approach is a natural fit to accelerate funding for game-changing companies.

Brinc will support GWS in a strategic expansion beyond alternative proteins to include essential sub-verticals such as Climate Adaptation, Advanced Materials, Circular Economy, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), Clean Energy, Mobility, and Agriculture. Leveraging Brinc's extensive networks across Asia Pacific, India, and the Middle East will enhance connections with startups, angel investors, and institutional investors outside North America. The strategic move aims to uncover and facilitate new investment opportunities, driving increased capital towards impactful climate technology sectors.

Moving forward, vetted GlassWall Members will now be able to participate in climate-friendly syndicated deals with attractive member terms through AngelList, while the EGC initiative within GlassWall Syndicate, which welcomes later-stage investors to the network, continues to expand as prominent firms explore robust opportunities with established potential co-investors to fund urgently needed climate-friendly solutions at Series B and beyond. GWS Members will continue to tap into the Member Benefits they have long enjoyed but the resources, deals, network, and exclusive access opportunities will expand greatly.

Macy Marriott, Executive Director of GlassWall Syndicate, commented, "Our team is more aware than ever of the importance and urgency around the challenges our world faces. We must continue building a platform that serves the unique needs of founders, investors, nonprofits, and other collaborators who drive transformational change. Just as the problems we're collectively tackling are ever-evolving, so are the needs of the people at the forefront. GWS has been and will continue to be a vital resource that increases capital availability and deployment through our streamlined, efficient, and community-focused network to drive us toward a more sustainable future. We are proud to have found our new home within the Brinc team, where we can soar to new heights and creatively champion the industry."

Manav Gupta, Founder and CEO of Brinc, stated, "We are pleased to welcome GlassWall Syndicate, an organization that reflects our deep commitment to nurturing impact investing. With our proven engagement in sectors like food, agriculture, and climate technology, we have empowered founders to turn ideas into scalable solutions that tackle worldwide challenges. By getting on board with GWS, we hope to amplify these efforts, ensuring critical projects receive the necessary funding and support and reinforcing our ongoing commitment to generate substantial, positive change across various industries."

GlassWall Syndicate welcomes individually accredited investors seeking to make investments as low as $1,000 all the way to growth-stage firms looking to invest upwards of US$100M in Series D deals. If you are an investor, prospective nonprofit partner, startup in the space, or wish to sponsor an event or initiative, you are encouraged to get in touch with GWS.

About GlassWall Syndicate

GlassWall Syndicate (GWS) is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit network in the global impact investing ecosystem that engages and empowers investors in the sustainability space by connecting them with game-changing companies, providing resources, and bringing together key players. This global collective is led by Macy Marriott and has led to millions in additional capital deployed into innovative companies in the landscape. The GWS team works daily with entrepreneurs and investors to build relationships that drive forward sustainable, scalable, disruptive companies.

Founded in 2017 and initially spearheaded by Stray Dog Capital, GWS is a nonprofit community of high-net-worth individual investors, leading VC and PE firms, and global partners that provide fit-for-purpose solutions to some of the challenges investors in the industry face by providing deal flow access, early-access industry data, exclusive reports, trend analysis, and insights along with exclusive educational opportunities, meaningful networking, global events, and connections with experts across the value chain. GWS is hyper-focused on partnerships that accelerate initiatives that are critically important to the success of the alternative protein industry and relevant adjacencies.

In June of last year, with the leading alternative protein think tank, The Good Food Institute as a Knowledge Partner, GWS launched the Emerging Growth Consortium (EGC) which serves as the first-ever body of later-stage investors in the space and has welcomed leading firms and organizations such as L Catterton, C2 Capital Partners, CSC Leasing, Davis Wright Tremaine, Material Innovation Initiative, BERA Partners, Plant Based Foods Association, Plant Futures, and numerous others leading the effort toward a more sustainable future.www.GlassWallSyndicate.org

About Brinc  

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 10 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on climate technology, agrifood technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, The Sandbox), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB, Hatcher+) have all run programs with Brinc. Recently Brinc announced plans to raise a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities. https://www.brinc.io/ 

"We are incredibly excited to welcome this diverse and talented group of innovators to our Spring 2024 program," stated Manav Gupta, CEO & Founder of Brinc. "Each startup brings a unique vision and solution that promises to redefine climate tech. There is a significant estimated shortfall in private venture investment for next-generation climate tech, amounting to as much as US$2 trillion. This funding gap needs to be addressed to achieve the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (Deloitte Insights, 2023). We remain committed to empowering these innovators with the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to scale their transformative solutions. Our goal is to continue building an ecosystem where technological innovation not only thrives but leads to meaningful global impact."

This cohort has access to a global network of industry leaders, investors, and experts, plus extensive support across fundraising, commercial, and technical objectives. A dedicated team at Brinc is working towards helping these climate-tech startups secure necessary capital and significantly improve their position for sustainable growth in climate tech's competitive landscape. These are just some elements of Brinc's comprehensive support framework, designed to provide end-to-end assistance in scaling these businesses for long-term success. For more information about Brinc's climate tech program and how to apply for future cohorts, please visit brinc.io/climate-tech-programs.

Brinc is proud to support the following businesses as they work to create sustainable and impactful solutions in climate tech:

1. Azul Bio (USA) is a biotechnological company dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for marine environments. Creating coral microbiome boosters (CMBs) to prevent coral reef extinction by 2050, it can provide corals immunity to ocean warming. CMB treatments are the only scalable and fast-acting method of protecting the world's coral reefs.
2. Clean Capture Tech (USA) focuses on advanced direct air capture technology using a novel adsorbent-based system. With an innovative engineering-centric approach to designing a low energy/cost direct air capture (DAC) system, its core innovation is a new contactor design that simultaneously optimizes for adsorbent capacity/productivity and best-in-class heat exchange efficiency for regeneration, resulting in <1,000kWh/ton efficiency.
3. Decomer Technology (USA/Estonia) is an agrifood startup developing novel water-soluble, edible and plant-based packaging materials. Its materials help to combine convenience with eco-friendliness and can be used for various use cases in the food, home and personal care, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. These materials are designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging, aiming to reduce environmental pollution and waste associated with non-biodegradable materials.
4. Gaia Refinery (Canada) is developing a technology that removes atmospheric and biogenic CO2 within one circular process. Gaia Refinery's technology is ¼ Direct Air Capture (DAC), ¾ Biomass Carbon Removal (BiCRS) – intentionally designed to maximize utilization of biomass resources and minimize the energy intensity of DAC. Gaia Refinery, through the development of its innovative IP, is showing how integration of these two technologies can act as a win-win - removing double the CO2, with far lower (1/10th) energy and cost burdens than either process on its own. 
5. MacroCarbon (Spain) is working to decarbonize the chemical industry by creating drop-in carbon feedstock replacements from macroalgae. They are developing farming and harvesting technologies to lower the cost of bio-based feedstocks for hard-to-decarbonize sectors by cultivating and processing sustainable, renewable floating seaweeds.
6. Naycel's (USA) approach employs photochemistry to convert carbon gasses into high-quality battery graphite materials, achieving lower environmental impact than mining or coke refining. By harnessing renewable energy, its process is both cost-effective and aligns with sustainable practices, offering an alternative to standard graphite production methods.
7. Re:meat (Sweden) provides a turnkey solution to overcome upscaling challenges in the cultivated meat industry. Specializing in enabling tech to make sustainable, affordable, high-quality cultivated meat a reality, Re:meat leverages industry collaboration and innovative approaches to unlock $1/kg cultivated beef.
8. Vycarb (USA) builds autonomous systems that measure, remove, and store CO2 in water. Their direct measurement technology automatically quantifies and self-optimizes the CO2 removal and storage process to local water conditions in real-time, creating safer, cheaper, more effective, and faster-scaling climate solutions.
9. Xcentric (Australia) has patented portable hardware for comprehensive, real-time soil analysis that provides a range of agronomically relevant data spanning carbon, and beyond. Carbon data emerges as an incidental yet valuable output alongside critical soil information required for efficient soil management practices. This data is collected significantly more often than the minimum frequencies stipulated by existing soil carbon credit methodologies. The frequent data collection not only bolsters the efficiency of soil management but also markedly increases accountability and transparency. X-Centric's hardware paves the way for sophisticated AI/ML models to provide industry-wide insights driving efficiency and sustainability to feed a growing population.

To learn more about Brinc's latest updates, sign up for our newsletter via the form here.

To hear from the array of industry leaders, founders and mentors in Brinc's ecosystem, subscribe to Brinc's Youtube channel for the latest episodes of the interview series, On the Brinc.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 10 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries and regions. Brinc accelerates startups focused on climate tech, CDR, food technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, web3, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more : www.brinc.io

Brinc Academy is founded on the vision of making entrepreneurial education accessible to all. With every enrollment, Brinc Academy will not only equip entrepreneurs with tools for success but also pledges to extend the cycle of opportunity through its partnership with B1G1. Through this platform, each enrollment supports initiatives for providing essentials like food, shelter, and education to communities in need.

"Brinc Academy is designed to empower founders with the skills, insights, and resources they need to confidently build and grow their startups," said Manav Gupta, Founder & CEO of Brinc. "We recognize that every founder's journey is unique, and our self-guided course allows them to learn at their own pace while accessing professional-level content on pitch refinement, fundraising, and more."

Brinc's accelerator programs have played a pivotal role in fueling a global startup revolution. However, with an ever-increasing number of founders submitting applications to their programs and a multitude of aspiring entrepreneurs seeking their guidance, Brinc recognizes the need to broaden their horizons.

In response to the overwhelming demand for resources and support, this initiative represents Brinc's dedication to democratize entrepreneurial education. Making their wealth of knowledge accessible to all ambitious entrepreneurs in emerging markets who possess the vision but lack the necessary means, the course's self-guided online format allows founders to learn at their own pace, fitting their studies around their existing commitments.

With a diverse range of modules covering essential startup topics, founders can delve into the material that is most relevant to their specific needs and revisit modules as desired. The platform empowers users to explore and learn on their terms, providing a basic level of understanding every founder needs without the pressure of immediate results.

Brinc Academy is built on Brinc's 10+ years of industry experience working directly with startups, mentors, and advisors, developing relevant content and resources specifically for budding entrepreneurs. Built for those at the idea-stage, Brinc Academy will guide users through the development of a minimum viable product (MVP) and help them understand the essentials of product-market fit.

Founders seeking to enroll in Brinc Academy can join through the Brinc website starting February 8, 2024 and enjoy a 40% discount for the month of February. The course is open to founders from around the world and offers a flexible enrollment process. Enroll once in Brinc Academy and enjoy lifetime access to continually updated entrepreneurial content and tools.

About Brinc:
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on climate tech, clean energy, food technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

The event began with opening remarks from Hon. Duncan Chiu, Hong Kong's Legislative Council Member - Technology & Innovation Constituency, and Andy Wong, Head of Innovation & Technology at Invest Hong Kong. They spoke about the ways in which Hong Kong is bolstering its position in the healthcare industry, emphasizing that it is an ideal time to found a tech company in Hong Kong – since the government is determined to support startups and accelerate innovation through new policies and initiatives.

The panel discussions delved into crucial subjects like commercialization strategies and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain in healthcare. The experts shed light on how generative AI can significantly reduce timeframes and improve safety measures and advocacy efforts. These insightful discussions highlighted the immense potential for innovation and advancements in the healthcare sector in Asia.

Representatives from the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology Limited, Our Hong Kong Foundation, IQVIA, and Cellomics International Limited, stressed the number of opportunities that exist in Hong Kong's ecosystem – from its solid R&D foundation to its world-class hospitals. They expressed their belief in the city's potential, citing regulatory frameworks, government support, big data and the unique role Hong Kong can play in the Greater Bay Area.

Healthcare industry leaders, including representatives from Moderna, Ogilvy Health Asia, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of innovation. Stressing the significance of collaboration with startups, clients, changemakers, academics, and policymakers to foster success and growth in the healthcare sector, they highlighted the benefits of embracing new technologies. These industry experts also shared valuable insights on the intricate nature of healthcare regulation.

In the face of current market conditions, many panelists stressed that there is still an extensive number of investment opportunities that can be pursued through innovative approaches and exploring alternative avenues. This includes tapping into accelerator programs, and government grants, which offer potential avenues for investment. By embracing creativity and actively seeking out these resources, businesses can uncover promising opportunities even in challenging times. The speakers also relayed valuable insights on investment trends, providing expert guidance tailored specifically to the needs of healthcare startups.

Thank you to our panel participants:
A View from Hong Kong - Ecosystem Opportunities
Andy Liu, Cellomics Holdings
Carmen Li, IQVIA
Dr. Gina Jiang, Hong Kong Institute of BioTechnology
Dr. Jane Lee, Our Hong Kong Foundation

Gaining Speed & Agility to Deliver Successful Health Innovation
Dr. Donna Brown, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation
Joyce Lee, Moderna
Pierre Robinet, Ogilvy Health Asia

How AI is shaping Healthcare: Applications, Issues, and Regulatory Approaches
Dr. Aldrin Yim, Codex Genetics
Akina Ho, AllStarsWomen DAO
Dr. Frank Pun, Insilico Medicine
Pierre Robinet, Ogilvy Health Asia

The Road to Commercialization - Building an Effective Commercialization Strategy
Jessica Fong, Prenetics
Mitul Lakhani, AIA GROUP
Philip Sin, Belief BioMed
Dr. Q. Y. Ma, Time Medical

Investment Trends - Attracting Investors During a Bear Market
Dr. Amit Kakar, Novo Holdings Asia
Andrew Pang, Ally Bridge Group
Furuzonfar Zehni, Fresco Capital
Yolanda Yang, ABC International

The Regulation on Health Technology – What's Next?
Dario Heymann, Galen Growth
David Swain, Essex Bio-Technology
Emma Holcroft, IMUNIS
Dr. Swee Kheng Khor, Angsana Health

Startup Help - Ask the Experts Anything
Adrian Lam, Bioworld Ventures
Carolyn Wright, RTHK
Emmanuel Hui, Tiger Jade Pebble Accelerator
Joseph Ho, Brinc

Impact of Blockchain Technology in Healthcare
Dr. Marten Brelen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Sarah Mok, Brinc
Varun Panjwani, MetaCare
William Yeung, MediConCen

Reimagining the Healthcare Workplace to Attract and Retain Talent
Angela Feng, Ness Wellness
Dee Cheung, Alea
Ivan Li, Prenetics
Kara Cheung, Amgen

About Brinc
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on climate tech, clean energy, food technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

The partners will leverage Brinc's global venture accelerator network to find new entrepreneurs, and Hatcher+'s AI-powered FAAST platform to identify the best innovators and new technologies, worldwide. The partnership will then tap into the collective expertise of their teams and use their proven mentoring capabilities to help foster innovation, build capabilities, and launch the next generation of sustainable businesses. Selection is already underway for the first group of ten startups, with the first investments scheduled for December, 2023.

As sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent global priority, the need for investments within this space has become abundantly clear to asset managers across the globe. Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, stated that "The next 1,000 unicorns will be businesses developing green hydrogen, green agriculture, green steel, and green cement," highlighting the immense potential of sustainable ventures – potential that Brinc has recognized and spearheaded for years with their accelerator programs.

"Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges, and it is crucial that we support and invest in startups that are developing sustainable solutions," expressed Manav Gupta, Brinc Founder & CEO. "We believe that Hatcher+, through its CarbonNation X initiative, can play a vital role in nurturing and scaling the next generation of ventures and have a significant positive impact on the environment."

John Sharp, Managing Partner at Hatcher+ agreed, stating, "We are thrilled to be joining forces with Brinc to leverage our collective expertise, resources, data, and technologies to support startups in the Climate Tech, Green Energy, Sustainable Construction, and AgriFood sectors. The combination of Brinc's global network and history of building successful businesses, and our highly-scalable, AI-powered FAAST platform, will enable a level of scalability not seen before in the area of sustainability startups. I believe this collaboration could be transformative for environmental innovation and lead to a new level of investment in sustainability at what is a critical time for our planet."

Applications for Brinc's Spring 2024 Climate Tech accelerator programs are now open; to find out more and to apply, please visit: https://www.brinc.io/climate-tech-programs/

For more information on the CarbonNation X initiative, please visit: https://carbonnation.hatcher.com/

About Brinc
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on climate tech, clean energy, food technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

About Hatcher+
Hatcher+ develops advanced software and AI-based data models that support fast fund creation, AI-powered deal analysis, intelligent capital deployment, and real-time management and administration of alternative investments and strategies. The Hatcher+ CarbonNation® initiative focuses on the use of AI, data, and machine learning to enable scalable investment strategies and solutions in the area of greentech and sustainability. With its unique approach, CarbonNation® aims to empower investors to align their investments with their community values, creating a significant positive impact on a global scale by identifying groundbreaking climate-tech technologies with the ability to solve complex problems such as climate change and decarbonization, and create new businesses in the fields of green agriculture, green concrete, commercial building emissions management, decarbonization, water filtration, and space-based climate and energy solutions.

HONG KONG, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a leading global venture accelerator, is excited to announce the debut cohort of its Climate Tech accelerator, where four startups kick off its Summer 2023 program.

The inaugural Climate Tech cohort comprises a select group of innovative ventures addressing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) globally. The entrepreneurs behind these startups will embark on an intensive three-month program that features a specifically tailored curriculum customized for this focused cohort. They will also receive fundraising support, scale-up guidance, and network introductions to follow-on investors, expert mentors, and industry corporates.

Supporters of Brinc's debut Climate Tech program include key stakeholders in this space: Artesian, Carbon Business Council, CO2CRC, Direct Air Capture Coalition, PML Applications; plus others.

Manav Gupta, Founder and CEO of Brinc, said: "While areas such as mobility and transportation have received the most attention from climate tech investment, Brinc is turning the focus to where we can make the biggest impact as early-stage investors. The inaugural Climate Tech cohort and program focus specifically on CDR; and while there is certainly a long road ahead in combating this pressing global issue, Brinc has prioritized our focus and efforts in this arena. Brinc is excited to launch our Climate Tech program and I'm thrilled to witness the innovation and passion these companies bring to the table."

Introducing Brinc's Summer 2023 cohort to debut its Climate Tech Program:

Airhive (United Kingdom) – is building a breakthrough geochemical direct air capture (DAC) technology to accelerate carbon removal. Its modular DAC system, based on a fluidised, nano-structured sorbent, achieves market-leading capture speed, energy efficiency and affordability.

CarbonBridge (United States) – harnesses carbon dioxide and clean hydrogen to produce eco-friendly methanol through an innovative microbial conversion process. This groundbreaking approach not only reduces energy consumption but also enables a cost-effective production process that competes favorably with mainstream methanol derived from fossil fuels.

Formwork IO (Hong Kong) – employs a circular economy approach, utilizing waste carbon dioxide and materials as binders to reduce cement usage and create carbon-negative concrete. This innovative mineralization technique involves the permanent storage of carbon dioxide through carbonation, ensuring a sustainable solution. As a pioneering player in the Asian market, where more than 70% of cement is produced, Formwork IO has the flexibility to tailor its process to various applications.

Poas Bioenergy (Costa Rica) – employs an innovative and adaptable reactor system to transform agricultural waste, such as coffee and pineapple residue, into valuable resources. With a focus on sustainability, its technology enables the production of biochar and energy (syngas) in a modular and efficient manner. This circular economy solution not only addresses waste management but also holds promise for generating clean, local energy.

For more information about Brinc's Climate Tech accelerator, how to apply, or learn more about the Summer 2023 cohort startups, please contact Brinc's Climate Tech team via the interest form.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on climate tech, clean energy, food technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc

HONG KONG, May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a leading venture accelerator with a focus on sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation, announces the launch of Co-Founder, an AI-powered Google Chrome extension to guide pre-A-through growth stage businesses to understand blind spots and accelerate through personal & company developmental milestones.

Co-Founder, currently in its Alpha phase, is a functional large language model (LLM) with tailored prompts based on a startup's stage of development. Co-Founder allows founders to identify and ask the right questions to get the right responses to further deep-dive into topics they may lack familiarity with, and utilize their new 'Co-Founder' as an external support system. Prompts include guidance on building business processes and streamlining workflow stages, when to seek investment and how to successfully go through the process of closing a round, defining clear go-to-market strategies across products and services, target persona development, assessing cash flow needs, how to seek direction on common legal pitfalls and much more.

Powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT technology, Co-Founder will also leverage Brinc's own LLM developed through proprietary (but anonymized) data sources of data from the 1000s of companies Brinc has had the privilege of working with over the last decade. Utilizing Brinc's years of experience working with startup founders, investment & corporate partners, and business mentors, Co-Founder is uniquely positioned to help early and growth-stage businesses navigate their industries better and provide relevant, tailored insights. Founders looking for a Co-Founder can apply to join the Alpha testing here.

Brinc's plan with the upcoming Beta release (planned for broader distribution later this year) is to also include additional features to enhance prompts based on other public data sources, taking advantage of resources that Brinc has curated with mentors and investors in various business domains, improved data searches including multimedia resources, and other value-adds such as suggestions for other supporting services, and the drafting of documents such as pitch decks including key data to support decision making by institutional venture capitalists and redacted legal templates based on founders' requirements. The Beta phase will also incorporate user feedback through a native voting system to prioritize the launch of new features as well as improvements in the functionality and usability of the Alpha product.

Co-Founder signifies Brinc's latest initiative to support aspiring entrepreneurs by harnessing AI's capabilities in data organization, filtering, and natural language processing, along with Brinc's extensive experience in impactful startup development. Brinc's goal is to broaden the volume of companies it can support through Co-Founder and give impactful businesses the tools and guidance that can help identify blind spots and make the difference in success or failure at various stages of development.

"AI has already demonstrated the capacity to provide exponential improvement in both personal and business lives by allowing time back to focus on what's important," said Manav Gupta, Founder and CEO of Brinc. "Infusing cutting-edge tools into startup acceleration aligns with Brinc's mission, and we will continue to explore ways to facilitate smoother and more impactful entrepreneurial journeys. With Co-Founder, we hope founders and businesses at different stages of development can easily find answers to their most pressing questions."

Founders interested in trialing the current Alpha version of Co-Founder can apply for access here.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 15+ multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, climate tech, clean energy, food technology, and Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. Brinc is also raising a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs & Corporates with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc

HONG KONG, April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a leading venture accelerator with a global sustainability mandate; and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), a Singapore government agency championing enterprise development, will together launch the Food Technology Program (The Program) to provide the tools, expertise, and commercial network necessary to help Singapore-based food technology startups successfully enter the mainland China market. The Program is under EnterpriseSG's Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative in China, which partners with accelerators in major innovation hubs to connect Singaporean startups with overseas business and technology communities.

The Program is specifically designed for startups that have a focus on plant-based meat or dairy, novel ingredients, nutraceuticals or food as medicine, food safety, shelf life stability, or sustainable packaging. These commercially-ready food technology startups will receive support through a combination of educational content, network access, and advisory services.

Delivered virtually, The Program will be run on a rolling basis, with startups participating in cohorts of two-to-three per intake to allow for hands-on, tailored support. Applications for The Program are now open, with the first cohort expected to start in May 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Over 12 weeks, participants will be able to leverage Brinc and EnterpriseSG's extensive networks in the food technology industry, meeting potential commercial partners including mainland China-based food brands, hospitality groups, restaurants, and grocery stores. Participants will also learn core educational content including go-to-market and commercialization best practices in the context of mainland China, with a particular focus on importability, regulation, pricing, market sizing, and customer discovery.

To further support startups with their market entry, participants will be given the opportunity to work out of Brinc's Shanghai office to connect directly with potential customers and partners. They will also be provided access to Brinc and EnterpriseSG's networks of regional investors both during and after The Program.

The mentors and partners supporting the program have a strong track record of helping foreign food brands enter mainland China and commercialize through online and offline distribution channels. They have worked with leading and emerging food brands such as Danone, Tindle, and Cacaolat.

While this is a non-investment program, participating startups will have access to Brinc and EnterpriseSG's network of regional investors during and after the program.

There is a growing curiosity around alternative protein in mainland China, driven by the government's push to diversify the country's protein sources through increased government funding in support of alternative protein development, and recent diseases and responses to them, which have made consumers more open to plant-based and cultivated alternatives.

Notable domestic startups within the alternative protein space include Brinc portfolio companies CellX and Haofood. More recently, foreign players have also entered the market to capitalize on a US$1.96 billion protein market, including Hong Kong's Green Monday and industry leaders such as Beyond Meat and Eat Just.

"We anticipate that a large number of foreign food technology companies will turn their attention towards mainland China to access its massive consumer population." Manav Gupta, Founder and CEO of Brinc, said. "In order to be successful in the region, we believe it is essential for companies to craft a strategy rooted in a deep understanding of local consumer behavior, taste preferences, and sensory expectations. Furthermore, it's paramount that companies bring something different to the table and prioritize appropriate sales channels to reach their target customers. There's a lot of nuance to this, which is why this program is designed to bridge any gaps in understanding and optimize chances for regional success. We've long admired Enterprise Singapore's relentless dedication to providing food technology startups with the infrastructure, capital, and network to scale beyond the Singaporean market, and are excited about partnering with them to bring this program to life."

Eugene Toh, Director of Food Manufacturing and Agritech at Enterprise Singapore, said "Singapore has been working with like-minded partners in the agri-food industry to tackle global challenges together through innovation, investment and internationalization. As the need for sustainable and innovative food solutions grows, we seek to increase access to market opportunities and identify the right collaborations for Singapore-based food technology startups to scale beyond Singapore. We are happy to partner Brinc on this regional market accelerator program and encourage startups looking to establish a presence in the Chinese market to tap this program."

Brinc launched Asia's first Food Tech accelerator and their flagship food technology accelerator program in 2018 to accelerate cutting-edge, early-stage companies emerging out of APAC, North America and Europe. Today Brinc has a portfolio of over 50 food companies, and is on target to make an additional 20 to 30 food technology investments in 2023.

Startups interested in applying can visit the program webpage to find out more information, or apply online.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, climate tech, clean energy, food technology, and Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore), fast-growing companies (Animoca Brands, The Sandbox, DayDayCook), and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc

HONG KONG, March 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a global venture accelerator committed to creating a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future; and Rho Impact, an ESG advisory and software company with roots dating back to 2012, have commenced a strategic alliance to help selected Brinc startups quantify their potential climate impact and influence on global emissions levels.

Rho Impact will lead a workshop for Brinc's climate tech and food tech startups covering essentials of impact measurement methodologies. In particular, Rho's team of experts will provide a review of their tool, CRANE (carbon reduction assessment for new enterprises), and support startups on preparing custom technology modules as needed.

The European Union's recent regulations around impact assessment represent one example of a growing trend of stricter criteria for impact reporting by VC investors. Despite uncertainties inherent to the process, startups who can clearly identify and quantify their potential for GHG emissions reduction at scale have a storytelling advantage when fundraising.

There is an inherent challenge for startups compared to public companies due to assessment being more forward-looking. Nevertheless, it's critical that startups understand how significant their climate impact can be if wildly successful and set appropriate benchmarks as compared to alternatives.

Manav Gupta, CEO and Founder of Brinc, said "If a company can properly frame the goals they are working towards, they are more likely to achieve them. Furthermore, successful startups will eventually become public companies subject to clear GHG accounting and reporting standards and need to be able to track their operations internally and validate the output with external auditors. We believe in introducing these guidelines and relevant tools early to set companies and teams on the right track for long-term financial security, and to maximize their carbon reduction potential."

Noah Miller, Founder and Head of Advisory Services, at Rho Impact said "Any startup that can quantify the impact they'll have on customer outcomes and society at large will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace, as both investors and customers alike are seeking greater sophistication, granularity, and auditability for both their impact narrative and numbers."

Startups involved in Brinc's 12-week Climate Tech accelerator program - which will run for the first time in spring 2023 - will also receive investment of US$150,000, one-on-one tailored support from a global community of mentors, and networking opportunities with potential follow-on investors and corporates.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, climate tech, clean energy, food technology, and Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore) and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc

About Rho Impact

Rho Impact's mission is to empower every organization to make an impact. They deliver software and services to accelerate the adoption and implementation of ESG and Impact programs around the world.  With roots dating back to 2012, Rho Impact combines the art and science of ESG and Impact planning, tracking, and reporting through purpose-built tools such as Gemini and CRANEtool.org along with hands-on advisory services.  Rho Impact partners with some of the world's leading impact-focused organizations and contributes to a variety of open access tools, frameworks, and non-profits. For more information, please visit www.rhoimpact.com

HONG KONG, March 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a global venture accelerator committed to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future, has commenced a strategic partnership with PML Applications, the commercial subsidiary of world-renowned marine research organization Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML).

PML Applications has expertise in ocean carbon removal (Ocean CDR), and providing independent monitoring and analysis to ensure new technologies and solutions in this growing area are developed in a responsible, evidence-led, and environmentally sustainable. Startups in Brinc's inaugural Climate Tech accelerator program, starting in spring 2023, stand to benefit from their expertise and network of global partners.

Relevant companies in the accelerator program will receive mentorship from a tailored selection of PML Applications' team, drawn from a pool of experts in both PML and PML Applications, and the opportunity to receive additional support such as a comprehensive environmental assessment. The startups will also have the chance to work with PML Applications during the program to formalize a proposal that covers potential capabilities such as onsite field trials, lab tests, and modeling support.

Field trials can be conducted, as required, to test technologies on a small scale. Climate Tech accelerator participants will have the benefit of PML Applications' experience leading efforts for commercial customers involving design and logistical planning, monitoring, data interpretation, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) calculation. Land-based, coastal and offshore capabilities will also be on offer, as determined by case. This is designed to simplify permit acquisition and ease regulatory headaches for relevant startups, as well as provide technical support and third-party validation.

The most recent IPCC report estimates that at least five to ten gigatons of carbon removal annually will be required by 2050. The ocean plays a vital role in the natural carbon cycle and could potentially be used for carbon removal using scalable industrial processes. It is estimated that the ocean also offers additional space compared to the inherent limitation faced by land-intensive approaches. A variety of Ocean CDR approaches exist, but all face uncertainties in terms of ecological risk, and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) at scale. In particular, companies must design solutions for 1,000-year permanence and long-term operational durability.

Alongside the aforementioned support from PML Applications, all startups that participate in Brinc's 12-week Climate Tech accelerator program will receive an investment of US$150,000 and one-on-one tailored support from a global community of mentors, follow-on investors, and corporates.

Brinc CEO & Founder Manav Gupta said "Ocean CDR has vast untapped potential, but still faces a variety of hurdles. We are excited to work with PML Applications to help startups validate their technologies in the field with as simplified a permitting process as possible, robust environmental assessments, and support on their MRV protocol. We need to collaborate across sectors in order to help startups scale."

Tim Fileman, Head of the Centre for Coastal Technologies at PML Applications, said "There is a great deal of interest in the growing Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal sector, but it's vital that new technologies and solutions are underpinned with a strong foundation of scientific evidence and are able to deliver in a genuinely sustainable manner. PML Applications has a wealth of knowledge in this area - drawing on the expertise of the world-renowned Plymouth Marine Laboratory - and we're delighted to be working with Brinc to ensure startups are supported with the right guidance and insight."

Interested startups can fill out the application form at https://airtable.com/shrNhCPnCTOKCr1HZ to be notified when the next batch of prospective participants will be reviewed. Those interested in supporting the program in another capacity can submit their details via the same link or contact climatetech@brinc.io.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, climate tech, clean energy, food technology, and Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore) and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc

About PML Applications

Experts in the fields of marine biology, biofouling and corrosion, advanced marine technologies and remote sensing, PML Applications works with some of the world's biggest names in shipping, offshore energy, aquaculture and environmental services.

Its Centres of Excellence in Marine Biofouling and Corrosion, Coastal Technologies, Geospatial Applications and Environmental Solutions have built a reputation for independence and impartiality, with world-class testing facilities and expertise dedicated to bridging the gap between research and real-world practical solutions.

Learn more about PML Applications

HONG KONG and LONDON, Feb. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a leading global venture accelerator, and Zilliqa, a high-performance, high-security and low-fee layer-1 blockchain protocol, have signed an agreement to enhance startup acceleration in the Web3 space.

The agreement will see Zilliqa host sessions during each cohort to share industry knowledge and to introduce their capabilities and service offerings to Brinc's accelerator participants. Brinc's portfolio companies in Web3, and other Brinc startups seeking to leverage decentralized applications (dApps) and blockchain-based features, will also have direct access to Zilliqa for blockchain strategy and development support, in addition to funding or investment.

Guillermo Ginesta, Managing Director at Brinc, said "Brinc's partnership with Zilliqa will open new doors and potential sources of revenue to participants in our programs for years to come. We are excited to work with Zilliqa as a leading player in the decentralized world as we believe they can take our startups to the next level."

Matt Dyer, CEO of Zilliqa, said "We are delighted to partner with Brinc to support the incoming ZK Advancer cohorts over the coming years. Brinc has built a reputation for thinking big and innovating, all while maintaining an ethos that emphasizes equitability and sustainability - an approach that aligns with our own ambition and value system at Zilliqa. Through this collaboration with Brinc, I am confident that together, we can help develop and support the next wave of vanguard companies set to shape our future."

If you're interested in connecting with Brinc's startups or becoming a program partner, please contact zkadvancer@brinc.io.

Interested startups can find out more about the ZK Advancer accelerator and fill out the interest form at https://www.brinc.io/accelerators-interest-form/ to be notified when applications for the next cohort open.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and has operated over 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, clean energy and food technology, and Internet of Things (IoT), all within a sustainability mandate.

Brinc has a portfolio of 150+ companies with founders from over 38 countries. Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore) and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc launched a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc

About Zilliqa 

Zilliqa is a high-performance, high-security and low-fee layer-1 blockchain. Founded in 2017, Zilliqa was developed by a team of global business and industry experts, experienced scientists, leading engineers, financial services specialists, and venture creators. Committed to developing innovative and scalable blockchain solutions with a user-centric approach, Zilliqa is driven by the mission to catalyse and transform digital infrastructures across global communities and industries. Zilliqa's technology has served as the backbone for use cases across the arts, asset securitisation, content creators and the influencer economy, decentralised and open finance, digital advertising, financial services, incentivised marketing, and sports.

Press Contacts
Brinc global contact: press@brinc.io 
Zilliqa contact: press@zilliqa.com

-  Alongside direct air capture, Brinc will provide mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities to founders focusing on other permanent removal approaches, utilization opportunities, and enabling technologies

-  Applications to Brinc's Climate Tech Accelerator Program are open now until January 29, 2023

HONG KONG, Jan. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a global venture accelerator committed to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future, and CO2CRC, a world-leading carbon capture, utilization and storage research organization, announce their strategic collaboration to support global deployment of direct air capture (DAC) at CO2CRC's Otway International Test Centre (OITC) located in south-west Victoria, Australia.

The collaboration is part of Brinc's newest 12-week fully-remote Climate Tech Accelerator Program. Scheduled to launch in early 2023, the program focuses on carbon removal technologies and aims to aid the most promising startups in the space from around the world.

From chosen program participants, the top relevant startups will receive support from Brinc to access the OITC to validate their DAC technology over the course of at least a two-month period. Moreover, they will have the option to begin testing during the program or access support up to 12 months after completion. Additionally, Brinc will serve as a pipeline to validate interest in the OITC and streamline access for other eligible startups from the applicant pool.

The program will target startups with a working prototype of their carbon removal technology looking for tailored support in scaling up. This includes connections to relevant mentors and industry experts to address challenges such as IP, supply chain, refining their business model and go-to-market strategies, techno-economic/financial/impact modeling, and pitch preparation. Subsequent to the program, startups will receive ongoing support from Brinc's portfolio team and be connected to a global network of investors.

Strategic alignment with organizations such as CO2CRC are critical to help startups accelerate commercialization through third-party validation, onsite access for prototype development, and product requirement insights. The OITC offers infrastructure for DAC field testing such as state-of-the-art monitoring systems to ensure safe and permanent storage of CO2 and seven purpose-drilled wells.

DAC, a technology that removes carbon dioxide from the air, is one approach to combating climate change that Brinc has committed to supporting. Brinc also anticipates including permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions (such as mineralization, ocean CDR, biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS), and biotech CDR) in the program, along with utilization startups (those focused on aviation fuels and building materials), and enabling technologies (such as measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) tools).

DAC is a promising innovation as its limited resource requirements mean plants can be sited almost anywhere. Furthermore, in terms of carbon credit quality, DAC with geological storage can provide permanent removal alongside a MRV process that provides a high-integrity carbon credit. It is estimated that 0.5–5 Gt CO2 per year is a sustainable global removal potential for DAC by 2050.

The OITC has the potential to become a DAC testing and demonstration hub, which would lower barriers to entry through shared infrastructure and accelerate technology deployment by providing verification of key performance metrics in field operations. As a third party, CO2CRC would also be able to audit the approach used by these companies and support their evaluation and certification process. Startups in early technology development, or interested in validating their technology in an alternate geography, stand to benefit from a simplified permitting process. Additionally, startups expanding out of the lab can operate at OITC at the scales necessary to be eligible for submission to the US$100M Carbon Removal X Prize.

Manav Gupta, CEO and Founder of Brinc, said: "Gigaton-scale carbon removal is necessary to reach net zero targets by 2050. There is an urgent need to scale up efforts to reach this goal. Brinc's new Climate Tech accelerator program is focused on supporting emerging technologies with the resources and a global network to do so. We look forward to seeing what applicants propose to combat this omnipresent issue."

Dr. Matthias Raab, CEO of CO2CRC, said: "CO2CRC's Otway International Test Centre is dedicated to demonstrating the environmental integrity of low-emission technologies, such as DAC with geological storage. This exciting partnership will accelerate the development of an essential technology for a net zero future."

Both Brinc and CO2CRC are active members of the DAC Coalition and committed to increasing global collaboration and deployment to reach gigaton-scale carbon removal.

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 13 multidisciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, robotics, climate tech, clean energy, food technology, and Internet of Things (IoT) with a view to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future.

Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web3-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organizations (Hong Kong Science Park, NEOM, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore) and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc 

About CO2CRC

CO2CRC is Australia's leading carbon capture, utilisation and storage research organisation with over 19 years of experience safely capturing, storing and monitoring CO₂. In collaboration with internationally respected industry, academic and government partners CO2CRC delivers low emission technology solutions to the world.

CO2CRC has a successful track record of supporting and developing novel and cost-effective capture and utilization technologies. CO2CRC's Otway International Test Centre (OITC) is dedicated to delivering innovative research, products and services designed to improve the cost-effectiveness and demonstrate the environmental integrity of CCUS technologies and methodologies including direct air capture (DAC).

Learn more about CO2CRC

• DayDayCook and Brinc join forces to invest US$10 million over the next three years through the Good Food Accelerator Program. Applications for the next cohort open on July 21, 2022.
• DayDayCook and Brinc share a dedicated mission to tackle global food sustainability goals by developing sustainable food systems and addressing food security issues in China and Asia.
• Prominent advisors and professional mentors from the food technology industry joining this program include: Patrick Kwok (Nishimoto Wismettac Group), Alex Pestalozzi (Mueller Asia), Sonalie Figueiras (Green Queen), Chris Pipe (Nestle China), Christina Gaw (Gaw Capital) and Liu Xing (Sequoia Capital).
• DayDayCook, founded by banker-turned-entrepreneur Norma Chu, is a burgeoning, content-to-commerce innovative food brand, with 80 million active users and more than 18 million paid customers globally.
• Brinc, the global venture accelerator founded by Manav Gupta, has also invested US$500,000 in DayDayCook's pre-IPO funding round to bolster its long-term commitment to their new partnership.

HONG KONG, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinc, a leading venture accelerator with a global sustainability mandate, and DayDayCook, a leading content-to-commerce Asian culinary platform, announce a commitment of US$10 million to invest in food technology companies that are developing the sustainable, animal-free, global food ecosystem and scaling commercialization in Greater China and Asia. DayDayCook and Brinc will invest in and support 45 companies over the next three years through the Good Food Accelerator Program, operated by Brinc. This alliance is further bolstered by Brinc's US$500,000 investment in DayDayCook, solidifying a long-term collaborative effort to support game-changing startups.

Applications for the Good Food Accelerator Program open on July 21, 2022. Startups accepted into the program will receive an initial investment of a minimum of US$200,000 and will have access to Brinc and DayDayCook's network of later-stage investors during and post-program for potential follow-on funding.

The key investment themes of the program include Alternative Protein, Functional and Novel Ingredients, Sustainable Packaging, Food Supply Chain Innovation, and consumer Agritech solutions. Companies with commercial-ready products and services that are actively contributing toward global food sustainability goals will be prioritised.

The program will be delivered completely virtually and will accept applications from commercially-ready startups located in or looking to enter the Greater China or Asian market. Interested startups can apply online here: http://www.brinc.io/good-food-accelerator/.

The core directive of the Good Food Accelerator Program is to help food tech companies meaningfully commercialise in Greater China and Asia, leveraging the online and offline distribution channels of DayDayCook's core business as well as Brinc and DayDayCook's combined network of food corporations, hospitality groups and investors in the region. With Brinc bringing eight years of accelerator program design and operational experience to strengthen the Good Food Accelerator, selected startups will also have access to DayDayCook's commercial team during the program to explore opportunities for business collaboration.

According to GFI APAC, Asia's leading alternative-protein think tank, strong year-on-year investor growth for the APAC alt-protein market is marked by a 92% surge: from US$162 million in 2020 to US$312 million in 2021. This has concurrently paved the way for the region's startups to grow in global prominence — making them a strong force alongside North America's alt-protein companies, which have fully dominated the market this past decade. In particular, the adoption of alternative proteins will be crucial for China, where, due to the rapid increase in demand for meat, the country is expected to experience a meat deficit of more than 53 million tonnes between 2021 and 2030.

Manav Gupta, founder and CEO of Brinc, said: "China's five-year agricultural development plan sets out an agenda to establish a sustainable food supply system nationwide. Brinc's Food Tech accelerator expertise, investor and mentor network along with DayDayCook's wide reach, commercial network and distribution reach in Mainland China will take us a bold step closer towards attaining this goal. We are excited to support more founders who are looking to scale alternate protein products and deep technologies from around the globe to the world's most populous market while further developing a growing food tech ecosystem across Mainland China and the Greater Bay Area. Addressing deep-rooted inefficiencies in our regional and global food systems, creating a sustainable food supply chain, plus tackling food security issues all in all help mitigate against the growing effects of climate change — which is the need of the hour and our lifetimes."

Norma Chu, founder and CEO of DayDayCook, said: "The Good Food Accelerator Program's mission is to build a leading food tech ecosystem in Hong Kong. We are thrilled to partner with Brinc to welcome our second cohort of startups, to accelerate their growth, and to kickstart a stream of commercially-viable products and innovative solutions. By sourcing innovative startups from the Greater Bay Area, Southeast Asia and areas beyond, the program will make a global splash as it carries out Hong Kong's ambition of transforming into a key innovation hub for food tech talents worldwide."

DayDayCook launched the Good Food Accelerator Program in partnership with the incubation division of Hong Kong Cyberport in December 2021. The seven startups selected in the launch cohort included five Hong Kong companies — AllKlear Health, Breer, Farmacy, Geb Import Technology, Good Food Tech — plus  70/30 Food Science & Tech (Shanghai) and Alchemy (Singapore). 

Brinc has been a key global food innovation player since launching its first food technology program in 2018 — Asia's first at the time. Today, having launched AgriFood, AgriTech and Food Tech Programs in Brazil, Hong Kong and Mainland China, Brinc has more than 50 AgriFood Tech portfolio companies all building a more sustainable food future. Highly notable examples of Brinc-accelerated startups that have impacted the global stage include Avant Meats (Hong Kong), CellX (Mainland China), Exponential Foods (Mexico), Galy (USA), Haofood (Mainland China), Orbillion Bio (USA) and Phuture Foods (Singapore).

About DayDayCook

Founded in 2012, DayDayCook is a direct-to-consumer company that focuses on innovative and healthy meal solutions with a fast-growing retail footprint in China and a strong online presence globally.

DDC has launched ready-to-heat (RTH), ready-to-cook (RTC) and plant-based food products, which bring convenience and quality food products to young food lovers. The group builds brand recognition through culinary and lifestyle content across major social media and e-commerce platforms, resulting in an aggregate of over 3 billion video views and over 10 million orders worldwide. www.daydaycook.com

About Brinc

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration, operating 18 multidisciplinary accelerator programs in seven countries. Brinc accelerates startups focused on Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, connected hardware, drones, robotics, clean energy and food technology, all within a sustainability mandate. Brinc's goal is to empower founders to accelerate humanity's transition to a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable future.

Brinc has a portfolio of 200+ companies with founders from more than 38 countries. Brinc also supports corporations with investment services, distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, as well as venture-building Web 3.0-enabled businesses. Global corporations (Manulife, Huawei, Schneider Electric, Puma, Batelco, Merck, Omantel, Linrun Group, Zhihui Park), government organisations (Hong Kong Science Park, MBRIF, Guangdong Soft-tech Park), tertiary institutions (HK City University, National University of Singapore) and leading venture funds (Artesian, LeverVC, Tamkeen, EDB) have all run programs with Brinc. In 2021, Brinc announced a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities.

Learn more about Brinc: www.brinc.io and Brinc's commitment to developing sustainable systems.