TORONTO, BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Building on an existing partnership, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and China Canada Angels Alliance (CCAA) are strengthening ties between Ontario-based businesses and the Chinese investment community.
Through a new agreement signed today, OCE and CCAA will partner with Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park (ZHSP), a high-tech innovation centre in Beijing, often referred to as China's Silicon Valley, and River Capital, an investment fund based in China. Joining representatives of the four partner organizations were Premier Kathleen Wynne, Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure and Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade.
"We are pleased to be able to strengthen our partnerships in China through this new agreement," said Dr. Tom Corr, President and CEO of Ontario Centres of Excellence. "By connecting with the hub of high tech activity in China and new investment opportunities, even more Ontario companies will have access to the tremendous opportunities the lucrative Chinese market possesses."
OCE and CCAA are currently partners in the successful China Angels Mentorship Program (CAMP) that has seen 10 Ontario companies benefit from investments of more than $2 million as well as mentoring and training on how to access the Chinese market. The companies were in China for a two week training session and also attended the signing ceremony.
"The CAMP initiative has already brought many companies to the attention of investors resulting in deals," said Mr. Zhishuo (Peter) Liu, Founder and President of CCAA. "With technology being such a priority today, the addition of these two partners will bring greater success for entrepreneurs and investors alike."
Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park is home to more than 10,000 innovative enterprises.
"Ontario has some exciting technologies to share with the world and we are excited to be able to bring our expertise to this partnership to help them develop and grow," said Huang Lei, Deputy Chief of International Cooperation of ZHSP.
"There are a lot of promising companies in Ontario and joining this successful partnership is going to give us a chance to meet and invest in companies that we might not have otherwise known about," said Tong (Tony) Wang of River Capital.
About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. (www.oce-ontario.org)
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario's global competitiveness. OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario's industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, domestic and foreign investors, and government ministries. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices, innovation, entrepreneurship and research, OCE invests in such areas as advanced health, information and communications technology, digital media, advanced materials and manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, transportation, energy, and the environment including water and mining. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda as a member of the province's Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE), which helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs and industry rapidly grow their company and create jobs. Learn more at www.onebusiness.ca
SOURCE Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc.
Image with caption: "Representatives of Ontario Centres of Excellence, Canada China Angels Alliance, River Capital and Zhongguancun Haidian Science Park sign a new partnership agreement in Beijing on Nov. 12 joined by Premier Kathleen Wynne, Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure and Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. Also present were 10 Ontario Tech companies participating in the China Angels Mentorship Program. (CNW Group/Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151113_C2910_PHOTO_EN_544625.jpg
Media contact: Stuart Green, Manager, Media Relations, Ontario Centres of Excellence, 416-861-1092 x 1022, [email protected]
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