(22 March 2017) For Italian start-up to be successful, they need to be in a dynamic environment, a large and diversified consumer market and advanced but affordable production systems. Business is increasingly borderless and starting a business often requires looking beyond national borders to test ideas on a broader market. The "STARTIT.Asia" programme was founded on this principle. The programme that allows new Italian start-ups to grow faster by utilising Hong Kong’s potential. The programme - designed by the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and Macao, and the Hong-Kong based People & Projects Ltd consulting firm - will allow five Italian start-ups that have been selected by an evaluation committee of technology, banking systems and internationalisation experts to fly to Hong Kong to pitch their business ideas. The prize is the opportunity to work in Hong Kong’s Science and Technology park, the largest and most efficient incubator of the city. The Italian Consul to Hong Kong Antonello De Riu stated: "over the past three or four years we realised that Italians who established themselves in Hong Kong were not only employees of large Italian groups or companies, but also young start-ups who wanted to settle here for the opportunities Hong Kong offers. This city is not only the ideal bridge to China and other Asian markets with high growth potential, but it also offers a diversified and mature financial market that can ensure easier access to credit for those with brilliant business ideas. It is precisely to support Italian start-ups who are willing to globalise their activities and to prove themselves in these markets that we have designed a specific support programme for our start-ups ". Italian start-ups will have the opportunity to test the Hong Kong market and to visit advanced production areas for the tech sector in China. (Red)

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG’S POTENTIAL

The STARTIT.Asia programme will allow a selection of Italian start-up companies to access Hong Kong’s business climate, taking advantage of its potential in order to launch their own business ideas. "The five selected Italian companies will travel to Hong Kong for an immersive week and whose programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, the largest incubator in the city," explained Anna Romagnoli, General Secretary of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao. At the end of the programme, each start-up is given the opportunity to pitch their idea they developed thanks to the help of local contacts to an evaluation committee. The idea with a greater chance of success will be selected by a committee composed of experts from Italy and Hong Kong. The winner will be given the opportunity to stay for a period of 6 months at the Hong Kong Science Technology Park. "The programme is developed in a way that ensures that the business proposal is a good fit in Hong Kong’s business environment and have a better chance of success," said Anna Romagnoli, who has already supported many Italian companies in Hong Kong. Applications must be sent via WeTransfer to info@startit.asia by April 5th.