Speakers

(by alphabetical order)

ZeKe Chung

General Manager, Dare Smart Energy Co., Ltd.

ZeKe Chung

General Manager, Dare Smart Energy Co., Ltd.

Zeke Chung is a leading expert in the new energy and battery industry with over 20 years of experience in battery R&D, industrialization, and intelligent energy systems. He holds a Master’s in New Energy from Tongji University and is recognized as an Expert by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). He previously served as Chief Battery Expert and Dean of the Solid-State Battery Research Institute at Geely Holding Group and VP of R&D for the Power Battery Business Unit at Sunwoda Group. His team has led 20+ major projects and holds 30+ patents spanning battery materials, solid-state technology, BMS, AI algorithms, and PACK design. A pioneer in large-scale battery production, Zeke played key roles in developing the world’s first 20Ah pouch power battery at EVOLT, the 6Ah hybrid high-rate cell (RMB 10 billion in sales), and the “Divine Shield” short blade battery. He earned ASIL-D functional safety certification in 2018 and received the Automotive Industry Pinnacle Award from the International Automotive Quality Standardization Association (IAQSA) in 2024.

Roderik Colen

CEO, Powall

Roderik Colen

CEO, Powall

Roderik is driving innovation in battery performance and sustainability through advanced nanocoating technology. With nearly two decades at Shell in senior international roles and a PhD from the Max Planck Institute in Germany, he combines deep energy-sector insight with scientific expertise. At Powall, he leads the industrial rollout of truly continuous atomic layer deposition (ALD) platform technolgy, a breakthrough that extends battery life, boosts efficiency, and reduces costs. Under his leadership, Powall is scaling a first of a kind from lab to market, positioning itself as a key enabler of the global energy transition.

Quentin Demarly

VC Investment Director, Air Liquide Ventures

Quentin Demarly

VC Investment Director, Air Liquide Ventures

With over a decade at Air Liquide and multiple board positions, Quentin brings extensive expertise in business development, innovation management, and advanced materials. Before joining ALIAD, he held roles in technical business development, innovation program management, and market analysis across France, the U.S., and China, driving technology transfer and new business creation in semiconductors, electronics, and advanced materials. Named a Global Corporate Venturing Rising Star 2025, Quentin combines strong strategic and analytical acumen with hands-on experience in venture investment, due diligence, and portfolio growth.

Jeffrey Gao

COO, BOEA-Wisdom Technologies

Jeffrey Gao

COO, BOEA-Wisdom Technologies

Jeffrey is COO of BOEA-Wisdom Technologies. His global experience across North America and Asia derives from his previous positions as COO at SAIHO Asset Management in Chengdu and SAINING Capital Management in Hong Kong, leading operations, risk management, and strategic initiatives. Previously, he was Vice President at Aspetuck Capital Management in New York and Associate at BMO Capital Markets in Chicago, following an early career as Technology Manager at IBM in Toronto. Jeffrey holds a Master’s in Finance from the Schulich School of Business and a Master’s in Computer Science from York University, along with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Jilin University. He is also a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM).

Dr. Matthew Harwood

MD Impact and LP Engagement, Climate Investment

Dr. Matthew Harwood

MD Impact and LP Engagement, Climate Investment

As MD of Impact and LP Engagement for Climate Investment, Matthew is responsible for developing the strategy of OGCI and measuring progress toward our vision of GHG reduction. Matthew’s career in Energy and Climate has spanned 30 years of working in Strategy, Sustainability and Operational roles across the value chain. Before joining CI, Matthew led the development of the Energy Transition strategy at McDermott and delivered the divestment of Lummus Technology as part of the company’s restructuring. At Johnson Matthey, Matthew led the development of the Hydrogen and Battery strategies and at Petrofac was responsible for launching business in Offshore Wind and Carbon Capture. Matthew also spent time in strategy and M&A roles in Iberdrola with a strong focus on renewables and the energy supply business. Matthew has a PhD in Atmospheric Science and is a chartered Engineer.

Calvin Ho

Partner, HSF

Calvin Ho

Partner, HSF

Calvin is a corporate and commercial lawyer specializing in the energy, natural resources, and transportation sectors. Calvin advises Asian and international clients in the energy, transport, and natural resources sectors on their complex cross-border acquisitions, disposals, project development, and financing projects. He regularly advises clients on complex multi-billion dollar transactions and major projects worldwide.

Thomas Kostka

Head of Corporate Venturing, Altana

Thomas Kostka

Head of Corporate Venturing, Altana

Thomas brings 25+ years of cross-disciplinary expertise spanning startups, corporate innovation, and venture capital. Holding a PhD in Chemistry, he has co-founded startups in the US and Germany, and runs his own consultancy. His deep industry experience includes over a decade at Henkel, where he led R&D teams, strategic initiatives, and new business development before serving as Senior Investment Manager for Adhesive Technologies. Since 2020, Thomas has directed corporate venturing at ALTANA, a global leader in specialty chemical, while actively supporting the deep tech ecosystem as a board member for three startups.

Daniel Liu

R&D Packaging Director, APAC Foods BU Pepsico

Daniel Liu

R&D Packaging Director, APAC Foods BU Pepsico

Daniel has nearly two decades of experience driving packaging innovation for leading global food and consumer brands. As R&D Packaging Development Director, APAC Foods at PepsiCo, based in Shanghai, he oversees packaging strategy and development across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and ANZ. Daniel leads the design and implementation of innovative, sustainable, and cost-efficient packaging solutions for the snacks and nutrition categories. He previously served as R&D Director at Kraft Heinz China (2017–2024) and R&D Packaging Development Manager at Unilever China (2006–2017), where he led cross-functional teams delivering impactful product and packaging innovations across diverse markets. He holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Material Science from Tongji University.

Philippe Obry

Vice President, Akila

Philippe Obry

Vice President, Akila

Philippe is a French-born industry leader with over 40 years of experience in innovation, 3D simulation, and digital transformation across Europe and Asia. As VP of Akila, he drives the company’s technology and R&D strategy, expanding its global footprint across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Under his leadership, Akila is advancing the practical use of digital twins and AI for efficient, low-carbon, high-performance management of built assets. He has forged key partnerships with firms such as NVIDIA and Deloitte to promote digital and sustainable transformation in the built environment. Previously, Philippe served as Chief Engineer and Director of Innovation at Dassault Systèmes and as EVP of Innovation at AKKA Technologies, where he founded the AKKA research division. He is also French Foreign Trade Advisor, promoting international innovation. Philippe holds a Master’s in Engineering from the University of Toulouse.

Xinwen Qin

Head of Startup Innovation APAC, Henkel

Xinwen Qin

Head of Startup Innovation APAC, Henkel

Xinwen Qin is an innovation and venture professional specializing in open innovation, startup partnerships, and technology acceleration across Asia-Pacific. She currently leads Startup Innovation APAC at Henkel, based in Shanghai, where she identifies emerging technologies and drives collaborations with cutting-edge startups for Henkel Adhesive Technologies. Previously, Xinwen served as Director at Plug and Play China (2021–2025), leading open innovation and investment initiatives in food & beverage, cosmetics, biotech, health, and agtech, helping bridge global startups with corporate partners and investors. She holds a Master’s in Animal Physiology from Wageningen University & Research and a Bachelor’s in Animal Sciences from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University.

Dr. Tao Sang

CEO & Founder, Shanghai Hanhe Advanced Biomaterials Co., Ltd.

Dr. Tao Sang

CEO & Founder, Shanghai Hanhe Advanced Biomaterials Co., Ltd.

Dr. Tao Sang is the Founder and CEO of Shanghai Hanhe Advanced Biomaterials Co., Ltd. and a leading scientist in plant biology and biomanufacturing. With a career spanning academia and industry, he has pioneered research on using non-food lignocellulosic feedstock to produce advanced biomaterials. Dr. Sang earned his Ph.D. in Plant Biology from The Ohio State University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. He later served as a Professor at Michigan State University (1996–2011) and currently holds a professorship at the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His discussion will focus on “Biomanufacture of Advanced Materials with Non-Food Lignocellulosic Feedstock.”

David Sorin

Managing Director, Taranis Carbon Ventures

David Sorin

Managing Director, Taranis Carbon Ventures

As Managing Director for Taranis Carbon Ventures, David leads investments in carbon circularity, leveraging 25 years of expertise in management and consultancy roles, with a focus on sustainable innovation. Before joining Taranis, David was a Partner at E-CUBE Strategy Consultants, a Paris-based strategy consulting boutique focused on energy and decarbonization, where he advised corporations on sustainable innovation and investments. David spent nearly a decade developing Solvay Group’s first internal startup, piloting it from R&D to commercialization. Earlier in his career, he served as Purchasing director at Danone and as a consultant with the global strategy firm Oliver Wyman. He holds a MSc in Engineering and Economics from École Centrale de Paris.

Nick Sutton

Partner, Freeths

Nick Sutton

Partner, Freeths

Nick is a Partner at Freeths and an experienced commercial litigator specializing in insurance law. With over 15 years in dispute resolution, including a decade at a UK Top 20, Legal 500 Tier 3 firm, he advises a wide range of clients across the private and public sectors. Nick has represented major corporates such as John Lewis Partnership, DHL Supply Chain, Direct Line Group, and Chubb Insurance, as well as government bodies including the Ministry of Defence and Department for Education. Acting for both policyholders and insurers, he brings strategic insight to complex disputes and has recovered millions for clients through litigation and negotiation. His expertise covers insurance coverage, D&O liability, professional negligence, product liability, and commercial contract disputes.

Christine Tandon

Global Director, MANN+HUMMEL Ventures

Christine Tandon

Global Director, MANN+HUMMEL Ventures

Christine is a Corporate Venture Capital and Business Development executive with over two decades of experience bridging engineering, entrepreneurship, and investment. As Global Director of MANN+HUMMEL Ventures, she leads global venture initiatives focused on filtration, sustainability, and industrial innovation, while serving as a board observer to several startups in the company’s portfolio. Christine is also Co-Founder and Board Member of APC Technologies, Inc., and Founder of Intuiti, LLC, where she supports creatives and early-stage ventures across sectors including life sciences, consumer tech, biotech, fintech, and AI-driven analytics. She holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Rob van der Meij

Managing Partner, Capricorn Partners

Rob van der Meij

Managing Partner, Capricorn Partners

Rob is a chemical engineer and entrepreneur with extensive leadership experience in the chemicals, energy, and water technology sectors. He began his career in business management roles at Akzo Nobel and Shell Chemicals, and later became a founder and CEO of KiOR in the United States. Rob has since led multiple start-ups in chemical and water innovation, combining deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen. As a partner at Capricorn Partners, he invests in and advises early-stage companies focused on sustainable technologies, serving on the boards of several start-ups across Europe and the United States. Rob holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Delft University of Technology, completed the Business Administration Program at the Amsterdam School of Finance, and furthered his executive education at Nyenrode Business University.

Peter Wozny

Head of Legal, BTomorrow Ventures

Peter Wozny

Head of Legal, BTomorrow Ventures

Peter is a Venture Capital specialist and joined BTV in 2020 with over 10 years of private practice experience in the corporate teams of international law firms, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Brown Rudnick LLP. In 2022 and 2023 he was awarded In-House Counsel of the Year with the SME UK Legal Awards. Outside of VC, he is deeply committed to community engagement and serves as Legal Director to several UK based charities, including LIFEbeat, Facing History and Ourselves, and the National HIV Story Trust. Peter is also the Co-Chair of B United, BAT’s LGBT+ global employee resource group.

Tian Xu

CEO & Founder, BoXu Tech

Tian Xu

CEO & Founder, BoXu Tech

Mr. Tian Xu is the Founder and CEO of Boxu Technology, a leading AI-driven ESG and carbon-neutral digital solutions provider. He served as COO of MioTech, Asia Pacific’s largest ESG data provider, and Co-President of YuanZhi Technology Group. He previously held senior finance leadership roles at Pinduoduo, where he led its NASDAQ listing, as well as at Baidu, Alibaba, ABB, and KPMG. Mr. Xu is a CPA and CMA, and a guest mentor and ESG trainer for leading institutions including MIT Sloan, Shanghai National Accounting Institute, and the Hong Kong ESG Association. His international experience spans ESG, carbon neutrality, AI-driven sustainability practices, e-commerce, ESG disclosure, cloud commuting, manufacturing, and trade. Mr. Xu holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, a Master’s degree from Renmin University of China, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Central University of Finance and Economics.

Liangwei Yang

General Manager Planning and Business Development, Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) Ltd.

Liangwei Yang

General Manager Planning and Business Development, Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) Ltd.

Mr Yang is the General Manager of the Planning and Business Development Department of Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) Ltd. As an esteemed partner of the Strategic Emerging Industries Foundation, Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) has 10 branches and over 60 investment companies in China alone. Its businesses trade and invest in a wide range of industries including metal resources, chemicals, food and consumption, power infrastructure, and development. Mr Yang is responsible for leading the corporation's focus in Digital Transformation, Energy Transformation, and Sustainability.

Dr. Yang Zhao

Managing Director, CICC Global Institute

Dr. Yang Zhao

Managing Director, CICC Global Institute

Dr. Zhao is a senior analyst at CICC Global Institute (CGI), specializing in China’s economy and public policy. He began his career as an assistant professor at Fudan and Xiamen Universities before joining the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (2009–2011). He later served as an economist at CICC and Chief China Economist at Nomura. Since 2021, Dr. Zhao has published extensively on China’s long-term economic trends and received best paper awards from both the Economic Research Journal and the Chinese Institutional Economics Association.

Dr. Min Zhou

CEO, CM Venture Capital, SEIF Foundation Director

Dr. Min Zhou

CEO, CM Venture Capital, SEIF Foundation Director

Dr. Min Zhou is the co-founder and CEO of CM Venture Capital, a Shanghai-based VC firm focused on new materials, advanced manufacturing, digital industrial, energy and environment. She brings over 20 years of cross-border venture capital experience in deep technology across China and the US. She previously served as Senior Scientist at US-based Rockwell Scientific and later as VP of Investment at Unilever Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank. Dr. Zhou is also the Chairman of Thingple Technologies, a Shanghai-based specialist in digital transformation solutions for the process manufacturing industry. She holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Materials Science from Tsinghua University.

INNOVATION CHINA CONFERENCE

Team

Xavier Wong

Marketing & Communications Director

Xavier Wong

Marketing & Communications Director

With over 25 years in the fast-paced advertising, creative, marketing & comms industry, Xavier's experience spans across top Fortune 500 companies. He was the Global Creative Director for Huawei from 2015-2021, overseeing 170 foreign markets and establishing its global brand identity. During his tenure, Huawei exceeded US$100bn in annual revenue, despite political crosswinds. Xavier had creative leadership roles at WPP and Omnicom groups: Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi, FCB & DDB, supporting global brands such as Exxon Mobil, KFC, Coca Cola and more. He's served at a Singapore top property developer, CDL – a US$1bn company – strategizing its marketing goals. He was also the COO/Executive Producer for an east/west media platform RADII, to transform and build its content/brand strengths. A trail of creative awards follow him; from New York Festivals, London Advertising Festivals, US One Show and more. Many own expertise on one industry facet – rarely has any served so richly on agency/client sides, across east/west cultures, with a unique focus on technological innovation in the midst of constantly shifting global policies.

Mason Yin

Investment Associate

Mason Yin

Investment Associate

At CM Ventures, Mason researches and explores the fields of new energy and semiconductor materials. Mason graduated from the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry & Environmental Engineering. He also obtained a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Cornell University in the U.S. As an undergrad, he participated in material research and published multiple SCI papers, accumulating extensive experience in material research and expertise in chemical processes, environmental engineering, and materials.

Jesse Chen

Investment Associate

Jesse Chen

Investment Associate

Kathy Li

IR & Ecosystem Manager

Kathy Li

IR & Ecosystem Manager

Kathy graduated from The University of Western Australia and has entrepreneurial experience. She also has experience in private equity, deal sourcing, deal execution and underwriting.

Fiona Fu

Finance Manager

Fiona Fu

Finance Manager

Fiona Fu joined CM Venture in December 2020 starting as an administrative cashier, gradually advancing through the ranks. Prior, she was a tax accountant at Sinian Food for 3 years. She directly supports the enablement of financial goals for the company and she believes in the importance of efficiency, honesty, and integrity as core values. Her career philosophy is to complete every job with honesty and efficiency. She believes that real results are achieved by being down-to-earth and taking each step diligently. In her free time, her passion for life takes her hiking across China, enjoying different cultures and lifestyles.

Joy Chen

Accounting

Joy Chen

Accounting

Joy was formerly a financial supervisor in a tech startup, helping it grow from its earliest stages to profitability. She is always focused on innovation and improvement, exploring new financial management methods and tools. She attends industry conferences and training regularly to stay skilled and up-to-date with the latest policies.

Daisy Zhou

Administration

Daisy Zhou

Administration

Innovation China Conference

创新中国

Speakers

(by alphabetical order)

ZeKe Chung

Roderik Colen

Quentin Demarly

Jeffrey Gao

Dr. Matthew Harwood

Calvin Ho

Thomas Kostka

Daniel Liu

Philippe Obry

Xinwen Qin

Dr. Tao Sang

David Sorin

Nick Sutton

Christine Tandon

Rob van der Meij

Peter Wozny

Tian Xu

Liangwei Yang

Dr. Yang Zhao

Dr. Min Zhou

INNOVATION CHINA CONFERENCE

Team

Xavier Wong

Mason Yin

Jesse Chen

Kathy Li

Fiona Fu

Joy Chen

Daisy Zhou

about us

about icc

contact us

past events

Event info

Sponsors

Presenting companies

Speakers

(by alphabetical order)

INNOVATION CHINA CONFERENCE

Team

— 30 Oct 2025｜10月30日2025—

Registration

— 30 Oct 2025｜10月30日2025—

Registration