30 October 2025 | 9am-6pm | Shanghai, China
9:00 AM
Registration / Check-In
9:30 AM
Welcome Remarks & Introduction to SEIF Foundation and CM Platform
by Dr Min Zhou, CM Venture; Liangwei Yang, Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) Ltd.
The Innovation China Conference brings together leading investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners to explore the technologies shaping strategic emerging industries. The event serves as a platform for collaboration and an opportunity to showcase innovative solutions that will drive growth throughout the CM ecosystem.
9:40 AM
Keynote: China’s Economy Under the New Geopolitical Landscape
by Dr Yang Zhao, CICC Global Institute
Understanding China’s dynamic macroeconomy is essential to making informed investment decisions. Drawing upon recent market analyses, this discussion will examine how structural shifts, fiscal trends, and global interdependence are shaping China’s path toward innovation-led growth.
10:40 AM
Keynote: Intelligent Infrastructure: Leveraging Digital Twins and AI for Scalable Smart Building Operations
by Philippe Obry, Akila
This presentation will share the perspective of a foreign entrepreneur who has spent more than three decades building and growing a business in China. Reflecting on lessons learned from an evoloving market, Phillipe offers a unique view of Digital Twins and AI agents used to empower large-scale engineering and intelligent operation of smart buildings.
11:05 AM
Keynote: Navigating China’s Policy Shifts in Energy & Materials
by Calvin Ho, HSF
From new regulations, such as China’s recent measures on lithium battery exports, to broader initiatives to promote green manufacturing, policy continues to play a pivotal role in shaping global supply chains and investment trends. This presentation will explore China’s evolving policy environment and its impact on the energy and materials industries.
11:30 AM
11:55 AM
12:30 PM
Lunch & Walk along the Huangpu River
1:30 PM
2:00 PM
Keynote: AI & Industrial
by Jeffrey Gao, Boea Wisdom Technologies
Amid the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence into industrial systems, this keynote will explore how the convergence of AI and industry has become critical to competitiveness and transformation. Drawing on his perspectice as COO of Boea Wisdom Technologies, Jeffrey Gao will share insights into how this paradigm is redefining operational excellence and the future of intelligent manufacturing.
2:30 PM
Panel Discussion: The Future of Sustainability
This panel will explore how technological innovation, policy direction, and global market forces are shaping the future of strategic emerging industries. The discussion will highlight key trends driving industrial transformation, from digitization to cross-border collaboration and investment.
Moderator: Nick Sutton, Partner, Freeths
Panelists:
Matthew Harwood, Climate Investment
David Sorin, Taranis Carbon Ventures
Daniel Liu, APAC Food BU, Pepsico
Tian Xu, BoXu Tech
3:30 PM
Startup Presentation: The Journey of Bioplastic
by Dr Tao Sang, Shanghai Hanhe Advanced Biomaterials Co., Ltd.
Dr. Tao Sang, Founder and CEO of Shanghai Hanhe Advanced Biomaterials, will discuss innovative pathways for biomanufacturing advanced materials from non-food lignocellulosic feedstock. Combining academic insight and industrial application, his work highlights how biomanufacturing can drive sustainable material innovation and reduce reliance on traditional resources.
3:50 PM
Break & Tour of Startup Booths
4:30 PM
Keynote: How to Build a Successful CVC: Aliad’s Story
by Quentin Demarly, Aliad
Drawing on his experience leading Air Liquide’s corporate venture arm, Quentin Demarly will share practical insights on how to build a successful CVC, from strategic alignment to portfolio construction. His keynote highlights lessons from ALIAD’s journey in connecting industrial expertise with transformative innovation.
4:50 PM
Panel Discussion: Evolving CVC Models
Bringing together CM Venture’s LP and MNC partners, this panel discussion will explore how corporate venture capital models are adapting to today’s dynamic innovation landscape.
Moderator: Rob van der Meij, Capricorn Partners
Panelists:
Xiwen Qin, Henkel
Christine Tandon, MANN+HUMMEL Ventures
Peter Wozny, BTomorrow Ventures
Thomas Kostka, Altana Ventures
5:30 PM
CM Evergreen Fund Launch & Event Closing
by Dr Min Zhou, CM Venture; Peter Wozny, BTomorrow Ventures; Thomas Kostka, Altana
The event concludes with the launch of the CM Evergreen Fund, marking an important milestone in CM Venture’s long-term commitment to suppporting innovation-driven growth. This closing session celebrates collaboration between government, corporates, and investors, underscoring CM Venture’s vision of building a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures enduring partnerships.
6:00 PM –
8:00 PM
Wine & Hors d’Oeuvres
The China Innovation Conference (ICC) ‘Evergreen Decarbonization’ event will showcase startup booths on the 1st floor of the venue, where startups can meet with potential partners, investors or build new business leads.
Startups that have innovative products and solutions contributing to reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions for large industries are welcome to apply
The 2025 Innovation China Conference features longer networking sessions and an end-of-event session
Bring your namecards, e-cards and contact exchange formats, because with so many opportunities to rub shoulders with innovators, game-changers and changemakers, you’ll be needing them!
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JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ONE-DAY EVENT IN SHANGHAI
JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ONE-DAY EVENT IN SHANGHAI
