FinNode China - Venture capital markets in Greater China
Finnish companies and innovation organizations are more and more searching for local funding sources in China because Finland based VC's often lack relevant contacts and networks in China. The idea here is to identify and connect relevant VC's on mainland China and HK with various Finnish players. Focus should be in such VC's who fund innovative small growth companies from Finland/Europe to capture markets in China/Asia.
The greatly improved relations resulting in numerous cooperation agreements relating to trade relationships between mainland China and Taiwan over the past years has put Taiwan in a special relationship with respect to market entry to mainland China. Taiwanese companies have a big presence in mainland China and many foreign companies are considering entry to the China market through Taiwan, often together with a Taiwanese partner. This means that Taiwanese VC companies are also involved companies and investments in mainland China, and would be of potential interest to the Finnish players as well. We have therefore included Taiwanese VC companies in the scope together with mainland China and Hong Kong.
Goal and strategic compliance
One of the crucial aspects for a growth company is access to risk capital which is required for growth. There are several types of venture capital companies with different focus areas and modes of operation. The number of Venture Capital companies in Finland is limited and not all are familiar with or willing to take risks in foreign countries. One market with great interest to Finnish companies is Greater China. Finland already has a proportionally large presence in China with many companies and operations established. However, there seems to be a lack of information about Venture Capital companies that are interested in funding innovative small growth companies from Finland/Europe. Identifying relevant VC’ on mainland China, HK and Taiwan. would greatly benefit the Finnish players. Knowing the guidelines and requirements of the VC¨s would also help the Finnish players in preparation in order to wake the interest of the VC companies, thus increasing their change of success.
Content
Project manager: Kaj Forsell (Finpro Taipei), project manager (Tekes) & team: tbc
Main Tasks: This project consists of 3 main tasks:
1.Basic study on the market as a whole in order to indentify the VC companies operating on the China market:
The basic study is to be conducted via database/desk study and research reports on the Venture Capital market trough e.g. think-tanks and research institutions.
1.Detailed study of the companies:
Identify the VC companies that fit the criteria set for the study, i.e. interested in investing in innovative growth companies from Finland/Europe.
Identify which Finnish players could/should be connected with the VC companies.
1.Dissemination of findings of the project:
The findings from the survey are to be presented to Finnish parties at relevant occasion: e.g. seminar/workshop, signal session.
Schedule: The progress will be informed to Helsinki/Finland from time to time.
•Joint project plan formulation and review: Finnode offices of concern and counterparts in Finland, February 2012
•Basic study on the market: Finnode China, March – June 2012
•Detailed study and report writing: Finnode China, June – September 2012
•Final report ready: Finnode China, October 2011
•Project result dissemination: Finnode offices of concern, October – December 2012
Deliverable: reports, presentation of project’s results at seminar/workshop, signal session.
Schedule:
Feb – Sept 2012
Kaj Forsell
Finpro Korea
+81 90 5392 5256
