About the award
The Magnolia Award was established by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Govt in 1989. It was named after the city’s official flower, and is one of the highest honors given to foreign talent for outstanding contributions to Shanghai’s economic & social development. It also symbolizes the government’s appreciation to foreign institutions and talents based in long-term in China.
On 23 Nov 2024, Dr Patrick Berbon, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of CM Venture, accepted the award at the official Shanghai Magnolia Award Ceremony, held at The Grand Halls on Shanghai’s North Bund. Officials from the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and delegates from the Joint Conference on Foreign Recognition & Evaluation presented Dr Berbon with a medal & certificate.
Kong Fu’an, director-general of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office represented leaders & member units of the Joint Conference for the Review of Foreign Awards, presented a medal and certificate to Dr. Pactrick. Dr. Zhou Min, the co-founder of CM Venture, and Yangpu District Foreign Affairs Office, jointly witnessed the award ceremony for the Magnolia Silver Award.
About Dr Patrick Berbon
Dr Berbon, a French national, studied Materials Science & Engineering at Tsinghua University in 1993, where he met Dr Zhou Min. In 2010, they founded CM Venture Capital in Yangpu, Shanghai, focusing on startup investments in hardtech fields, such as advanced materials and smart manufacturing. Dr Berbon’s award not only recognizes his long-term contributions, but also acknowledges CM Venture’s efforts in promoting technological innovation & economic development in Shanghai.
Earlier this year, Mr Takamasa Wakaki, Chairman and General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai), partner of the CM Venture ecosystem, also kindly presented Dr Berbon with a Magnolia flower to commemorate his 2024 Shanghai Magnolia Award nomination.
The recognition by the city government serves as an inspiration for us to deepen our passion in hardtech innovation and entrepreneurship, together with our not-for-profit organization, Shanghai Emerging Industries Development Foundation (SEIF). We aim to further integrate the tech VC and public welfare ecosystems in Shanghai/China. Looking ahead, Dr Patrick Berbon and CM Venture Capital will continue to collaborate with ecosystem partners, serving as a bridge between China and the West, to make greater contributions to technological innovation and economic development in Shanghai, and beyond.
