"Innovation China Conference – Evergreen Decarbonization" Marking the Launch of the Yangpu Green Low-Carbon Industry Innovation Platform
On May 13, 2025, the 12th “Innovation China Conference – Evergreen Decarbonization” took place at the Minghua Sugar Factory along Shanghai’s Yangpu Riverside. Organized by the Shanghai Strategic Emerging Industries Foundation (SEIF) and hosted by CM Venture Capital, the forum was supported by the Yangpu District Development and Reform Commission and the Yangpu District Commission of Science and Technology. Key Partners included Shanghai New Yangpu Property Co. Ltd, PepsiCo, Temasek Foundation, Tencent’s CarbonX Program, and sponsorships from Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) and Morrison Foerster. The event brought together over a hundred guests from government, academia, corporates, startups and investment institutions to explore pathways toward a green, low-carbon future.
Ge Dongbo, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, and Li Ying, Deputy Director of the Yangpu District People’s Congress and Head of the Green Low-Carbon Industry Chain, jointly inaugurated the “Yangpu Green Low-Carbon Industry Innovation Platform.”，In his opening remarks, Director Ge highlighted green development as a key driver of industrial transformation and called for stronger collaboration between innovation platforms and local governments. Director Li shared Yangpu District’s pioneering initiatives in cultivating green industry clusters and establishing a sustainable development demonstration zone. The two leaders unveiled the platform, which aims to serve as an innovation hub integrating green technology commercialization, partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, and investment support. This initiative marks a significant step in advancing Shanghai’s green and low-carbon industrial ecosystem.
A symbolic “Green Ecosystem Collaboration” watering ceremony followed, featuring key figures such as:
- Min Zhou, Founding Partner and CEO of CM Venture Capital, Director of the Shanghai Strategic Emerging Industries Foundation (SEIF);
- Peter Wozny, Legal Head of Btomorrow Ventures;
- Guowen Chen, Managing Director of Happiness Capital, Lee Kum Kee Group;
- Takamasa Wakagi, President and General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai);
- Li Li, Senior Investment Manager at BASF Venture Capital;
- Koji Komatsu, President & CEO of Yokogawa China Investment;
- Weiqing Liu, R&D Director of Arkema Greater China;
- Keith Wiggins, CEO of Econic;
- Chen Tong, Chairman and General Manager of Global Power Technology;
- Mingzhe Wang, CEO of Sengong;
- Wen Gang Yin, CEO of Zhongke Nantong Technology.
The symbolic “Green Sapling” watering ceremony embodied the forum’s spirit of collaborative innovation, marking the launch of the new platform at Yangpu Riverside Wisdom Square. Han Yafang, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai New Yangpu Property Co. Ltd, emphasized how this initiative reflects the district’s successful transition from its industrial past to its current role as a thriving center for smart technologies and sustainable development.
The forum delved into themes like “The Future of Decarbonization,” “AI Integration,” and “Corporate Industrial Collaboration,” featuring keynote speeches and panel discussions:
Zhang Jie, Executive Director of Macro Strategy & Asset Allocation at CICC, analyzed China’s economic revaluation under Trump’s tariff policies.
Dr. Min Zhou, Founder & Managing Partner of CM Venture Capital, outlined CM Venture Capital’s Evergreen Fund strategy, focusing on zero-carbon technologies and green materials.
Anthony DeOrsey, Research Head at Cleantech Group, explored AI’s role in clean energy and sustainable data center management.
Dr. Julie Xing, Executive Chairman of Mundipharma China, discussed AI’s applications in healthcare.
Fang Zixiao, AI Industry Analyst at CITIC Securities, examined trends in China’s AI data center sector.
The forum featured four panel discussions, delving into in-depth dialogues on key topics in green technology.
“AI in Materials Science” – Moderated by Jesse Chen of CM Venture Capital, featured experts like Isabelle Jiang, Managing Director of Vertex Ventures; Dr. Weidong Li, CTO of Innoaero; Dr. Jeffry Xia, Head of Catalyst Division, Deepverse; Dr. Shuming Zhang, Business Head, Deep Principle; and Jian Li, CEO, The One. The panel examined AI’s potential to accelerate advanced materials discovery, optimize R&D efficiency, and bridge the gap between lab innovation and industrial-scale deployment. Key challenges, including data quality limitations and interdisciplinary collaboration barriers, were also addressed.
“Emerging Climate Technology and Industrial Cooperation” – Moderated by Starry Jiang, Senior Strategy Manager for Carbon Neutrality at Tencent, connected with cross-industry leaders to explore scalable solutions for decarbonization through strategic partnerships. Featured panelists include Zhaolong Shi, Packaging & Science Team Head, L’Oréal; Han Qin, China Head of Venture Capital, BASF; Dr. Qingzhuo Wang, Co-Founder & COO, Nanjing Gasgene Biochemical Technology; and Keith Wiggins, CEO, Econic Technologies.
“PepsiCo Green Accelerator Program – Bridging Corporates & Startups for Sustainable Innovation” was hosted by Dr. Patrick Berbon, Founding Partner of CM Venture Capital. This session showcased how multinationals and startups can co-create scalable climate solutions through strategic partnerships. Featured speakers include Jade Zhu, Senior Manager, Sustainability Strategy; Yang Yifan, Senior Manager, Climate & Energy; and Helen Tang, Associate Finance Director, Sustainability Planning, of PepsiCo, together with Wang Kehan, Co-Founder & CFO, Shenzhen Powered Technology Co. Ltd and Stéphane Vernede, CEO, Enwise.
The closing rountable “Keys to Successful M&A – Strategies for Cross-Border Deals” saw Allan Chan, Partner & CFO of CM Venture Capital, moderate a session that brought together top M&A experts to dissect critical success factors in today’s complex dealmaking landscape. Featured speakers include Qiang Fu, Managing Director & Co-Head of M&A, Greater China, Deutsche Bank; Long Qin, Director of TMT Investment Banking, China Securities; Chuan Sun, Managing Partner (Shanghai), Morrison Foerster; and Lei Wang, Partner, Jingtian & Gongcheng (Shanghai).
Alongside the forum, the Minghua Sugar Factory hosted an interactive exhibition featuring 11 pioneering companies and organizations at the forefront of sustainable innovation:
Energy Transition: Enwise, Powered Carbon
Circular Solutions: Econic, Greenore Technology
Hard Tech: Detecmicro, Thingple
Advanced Materials: Yuanchu Technology Co.,Ltd., Zhongke Nantong Technology Co.,Ltd
Finance & Law: CICC, Morrison & Foerster
Urban Innovation: Yangpu Riverside Development
The forum concluded with Dr. Min Zhou (CM Venture Capital) and Mr. Takamasa Wakagi (Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai)) highlighting the power of cross-sector collaboration to accelerate green tech innovation and achieve a zero-carbon future. They reaffirmed their commitment to driving systemic change through strategic partnerships between governments, businesses, and investors.
