Toronto-Shenzhen Forum and Gala Set to Spark Relationships
Between Tech Heavyweights from Shenzhen and Toronto-based Makers, Academics, and Innovators
The Canada Confederation of Shenzhen Associations (CCSA) and the Sino-Canada International Innovation Centre (Sci Innovation Centre) are pleased to announce the launch of the Toronto-Shenzhen International Innovative Cultural Festival to take place on Friday, September 29, 2017 in Toronto.

The one day event will bring together heavyweight Chinese and Canadian tech delegates to stimulate partnerships between Shenzhen and Toronto area innovators and businesses. The Shenzhen-based delegation will include, ZTE (Telecommunications/IT), Neptunus (biotech/healthcare), CASC (aerospace power), BYD (battery/energy tech), BGI (biotech), AEE (multi-rotor UAV systems/ unmanned aircrafts), Getwell (health tech), and Hytera (ICT) who are interested in R&D collaboration, seeking customers and distributors, sourcing novel technologies, and academic collaboration to further their innovation initiatives. The schedule includes the RAMP (Research and Marketing Partners) Program and Forum, Global Promotion Event of Shenzhen, exhibitions, networking and a gala dinner and performances in the evening at the Fairmont Royal York. The Festival has Toronto Region Board of Trade as a key partner. The delegation will also visit Toronto City Hall, MaRS and The University of Toronto prior to the forum.

“We are thrilled to be taking concrete steps toward the CCSA’s mission of creating opportunities for common development between Toronto and Shenzhen in honour of both city’s histories of championing entrepreneurial passion.” says Jenny Qi, Chair of the Canada Confederation of Shenzhen Associates.

In September 2016, the CCSA was instrumental in promoting innovation and collaboration between Toronto and Shenzhen starting with the First International Overseas Chinese Innovation and Creative Leader Conference. By November 2016, the Toronto municipal government and the Shenzhen municipal government signed the agreement on international exchange cities officially designating Toronto and Shenzhen as reciprocal “International Friendly Cities”.

This year saw the first China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition, Toronto Division, co-organized by the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, the City of Toronto and the Consulate-General of the PRC in Toronto, and provision of awards totalling $1.76 million CDN. Ten (10) Toronto teams participated in the Grand Finale in Shenzhen with three (3) teams taking third prize in the Industrial Final division. In April 2017, the Ontario Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, Mr. Reza Moridi, led a delegation who participated in the Ontario-Shenzhen Innovation Collaboration Forum and in May, the Sci Innovation Centre was established.  It is supported by Shenzhen government and is amongst six other overseas innovation centres of Shenzhen.

“We are honoured to welcome the Shenzhen delegation to Toronto to continue deepening the friendship between our two cities,” says Toronto Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong, “we hope the Festival will spark new partnerships to keep Toronto businesses on the forefront of technical innovation.”

The Sci Innovation Centre supports start-ups with funding, mentoring, training and legal consultation as well as provides work spaces and offers a series of educational programs. Focusing on various sectors including Information Technology, Clean Technology, Electronic Technology, Biological Technology and Advanced Manufacturing, the Sci Innovation Centre is dedicated to creating an international collaboration between Toronto area and Shenzhen entrepreneurs and companies to transform ideas into market viability.  From access to innovation funds in association with private and public investors and municipal governments, a workplace exchange program, a Commercialization Accelerator Program (China) to the Research and Marketing Partner Program (Canada), Sci Innovation Centre aims to create a global, interconnected innovation ecosystem.

The RAMP Program company delegates participating in the International Innovative Cultural Festival on September 29th include Senior VPs from: BYD Co Ltd., which is primarily engaged in computer components and the automotive industry as well as the development of new energy products such as electric vehicles; ZTE Corporation, a global leader in telecommunications and information technology; Neptunus, which focuses on pharmaceutical and food manufacturing and pharmaceutical commercial distribution businesses; Hytera, a privately-run company and leading global provider of innovative Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) communications solutions that improve organization efficiency; BGI Genomics, which provides a wide range of next generation sequencing services and a broad portfolio of genetic tests for medical institutions, research institutions and other public and private partners; AEE Technology, a leading global provider of recording equipment, multi-rotor UAV systems and unmanned aircrafts; CASC, which specializes in the R&D and manufacturing of aerospace power and new energy power technologies; Getwell Co., which provides end-to-end solution healthcare and sports platforms, as well as Presidents and Board Members from several financial investment groups including the Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Collaboration.

The Toronto-Shenzhen International Innovative Cultural Festival provides an opportunity to increase cooperation in the area of innovation, high-tech, commerce and international trade between Toronto and Shenzhen. Members of the Government of Canada, the Provincial Government of Ontario, Wei, HE, Consul General, Consulate - General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, and Denzil Minnan-Wong, Deputy Mayor of Toronto will be in attendance. Ms. Wu, Yihuan, the Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen, will lead the Shenzhen delegation.

About Canada Confederation of Shenzhen Associations:
The CCSA is a non-profit organization founded by the Shenzhen Association of Canada, the Shenzhen International Commerce Association of Canada, the Shenzhen Overseas Student Association of Canada and the Shenzhen Charity Foundation of Canada. It aims to promote multi-faceted cooperation between the Chinese and Canadian governments in terms of economic, technological, trade, commerce, culture and education. It is one of the most influential Chinese communities in Canada with more than 1200 members and is focused on providing entrepreneur support, incubation and investment services to start-ups in Canada. http://www.ccsaweb.com/

About Sino-Canada International Innovation Centre:
The Sci Innovation Centre was established in May 2017. It fosters an integrated innovation ecosystem to support collaboration between Chinese and Canadian entrepreneurs and companies. It supports start-ups with funding, mentoring, training, legal consulting and co-working spaces as well as a series of programs.

The Toronto-Shenzhen International Innovative Cultural Festival will take place on Friday, September 29, 2017 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Niki Wu 647-998-3683 or Su Su 416-854-9661...

Eventbrite Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2017-toronto-shenzhen-international-innovative-cultural-festival-gala-dinner-tickets-37459577605


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