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20 Start-ups Showcase at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion in VivaTech 2025

– Presenting Cutting-Edge Solutions and Innovations and Fostering Global Collaborations through Seminars and Networking Events

– The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will bring together 20 start-ups to participate in Viva Technology 2025 in Paris.
– The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will showcase the cutting-edge solutions and innovations in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, HealthTech, Sustainable and ClimateTech, FinTech, and more.
– A series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception will enhance international cooperation and highlight Hong Kong’s vibrant start-up and technology ecosystem.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with Strategic Partner, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, and supporting organisations including Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong Cyberport, will stage the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2025 in Paris, Europe’s biggest start-up and tech event from 11 to 14 June 2025. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will feature 20 start-ups, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, HealthTech, Sustainable and ClimateTech, and FinTech, and host a series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception to attract global investors and buyers, fostering international collaboration and showcasing Hong Kong’s dynamic start-up and technology ecosystem.

VivaTech connects start-ups, tech leaders, corporates, and investors to drive innovation and business collaboration. The HKTDC’s Hong Kong Tech Pavilion helps local start-ups and tech firms enter global markets while promoting Hong Kong’s unique advantages and reinforcing its status as a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub.

Chris Lo, HKTDC’s Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel, said: “The HKTDC actively supports start-up development through a wide range of activities and support services to enhance their competitiveness and expand global reach. These include launching Hong Kong Tech Pavilions at major overseas tech events and organising events like the HKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) and Start-up Express in Hong Kong. This year’s VivaTech focuses on AI, healthtech, climatetech, and sustainability, areas that align closely with the development of Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will provide a valuable platform for showcasing innovation, attracting investment, and expanding into the European market while raising international awareness of Hong Kong start-ups.”

Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem is one of the most vibrant in Asia, with strengths in R&D capabilities, advanced technological infrastructure, robust legal system, and world-class intellectual property protection regime. As a business hub and international trading centre in Asia, Hong Kong provides a strategic platform for connecting innovation, expertise, and patents with global capital. Its strategic location within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) with access to over 86 million consumers, makes Hong Kong an ideal gateway to the entire GBA and also Asia and the world.

During VivaTech, the HKTDC will host a series of events including seminars, pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception. On 11 June, the seminar Hong Kong: Fast-Growing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub will feature speakers Josephine Chan, Senior Manager, New Ventures Development of HKSTP, Florian Lang, Founder and CEO APAC of Libertify, and Benny Cheng, Founder & CEO of Insight Capital, who will discuss the advantages and prospects of Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem.

Hong Kong Start-ups Pitching to Global Investors
On 12 June, start-ups at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will also pitch their cutting-edge solutions and innovative products to global investors. Start-ups focus on AI, Robotics and FinTech, such as Pantheon Lab, which uses deep-learning technology to create software applications for developing quality and self-generated visual content, Robocore, a leading developer of applications for robotic platforms, and Midas Analytics, a data consulting company based on artificial intelligence and big data technologies, will present their groundbreaking innovations. Start-ups focusing on Health Tech, Sustainable & Climate Tech, such as Braillic, specialising in Augmented Reality (AR) guided surgical navigation system, HairCoSys, which developed a hair and scalp AI health diagnosis platform, and OKOsix, which developed world’s first plastic-free multifunctional bio-based material, will showcase their innovations advancing human well-being and a more sustainable future.

On 13 June, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, will attend the Workshop and Networking Reception – From Hong Kong to the World: Embarking on the New Journey of Innovation and deliver a keynote speech. Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, together with Sandbox VR, Orcauboat, and viAct, will share how Hong Kong start-ups succeed on an international stage. Yang Ming, CEO of Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited will share the advantages of choosing Hong Kong as springboard for global expansion. The followed panel discussion will be moderated by Christopher Lai, Director, France, Spain & Portugal of HKTDC. Cindy Chow, Chapman Lee, Director of Imsight Technology Co., Limited, Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder & CEO of Point Fit Technology Limited, and Jean-Baptiste Roy, Founding Partner of Asia Sports Tech, will explore the advantages of Hong Kong start-up ecosystem from both investor and start-up perspective and how to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to seize new opportunities.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is located at Hall 1 Booth F48, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The 9th edition of VivaTech is expected to attract over 165,000 visitors, 3,500 exhibitors, 13,500 start-ups, and 3,200 investors. Industry leaders from around the world will share unique insights, making the event the highlight of the global tech ecosystem.

Websites: https://vivatechnology.com/partners/hong-kong-tech-pavilion

Media enquiries
For enquiries, please contact HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong

Tel: (852) 2584 4524

Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Survey shows calm before tariff storm in Q1

The latest Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index (GBAI) jointly published by Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today indicated broad-based improvement in business sentiment in the region for the first quarter of 2025.

The GBAI “current performance” index for business activity rose to 53.5 in Q1 from 50.7 prior – the highest since Q2-2024. Six of the eight index components rose quarter-on-quarter, and all previous sub-50 underperformers rallied back above the neutral mark, namely “capacity utilisation” (+3.2pts), “raw material inventory” (+9.0pts), “financing scale” (+3.2pts) and “profits” (+3.1pts).

The GBAI “expectations” index for business activity improved in tandem with its “current performance” counterpart, to 54.3 in Q1 from 52.9 in Q4-2024. Encouragingly, seven of eight expectation sub-indices rose quarter-on-quarter, led by a 3.1 percentage point increase in “profits” and a 2.8 percentage point increase in “raw material inventory”.

All the city sub-indices, be it “current performance” or “expectations”, rose quarter-on-quarter, with Shenzhen being the only exception. Hong Kong extended its rising “current performance” streak to four straight quarters, to 53.5; its “expectations” index jumped to 56.9 – bested only by Guangzhou – from 50.8 prior. Guangzhou’s current and expectation prints stood at 60.3 and 58.0, respectively, the highest among cities.

This showed that GBA companies weathered the initial rounds of US tariff hikes (10%+10%) well, in part thanks to the DeepSeek breakthrough lifting market sentiment as well as the rising prospect of more policy stimulus from China’s policymakers. However, respondents’ more-upbeat outlook in February-March (when the Q1 survey was conducted) likely did not prepare them for recent events – US’ announcement of sweeping and sizeable reciprocal tariff hikes on China and most other countries.

Kelvin Lau, Senior Economist, Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered, said: “Given the urgency to stabilise market sentiment following the tariff-induced sell-off, the likelihood of China cutting the reserve requirement ratio and/or policy rate (7-day reverse repo rate) in April has materially increased. We expect that both monetary and fiscal policies on the Mainland will stay supportive. Meanwhile, Hong Kong would need to ramp up short-term support to SMEs and continue to diversify its trade to facilitate more non-US trade corridors. Our next survey, to be conducted in May-June, should provide a better view of the readiness of GBA businesses to live with high tariffs.”

More consumption boosts welcomed
Looking ahead, 41% of respondents saw a positive impact from the consumption boosting initiatives announced by China in January. Meanwhile, 38% said the consumer goods trade-in programme would bring positive impact on their business. When asked what else the government could do to expand the consumption-supportive measures, the most popular suggestion was “relax market access for private sector and foreign investment to help boost services consumption”.

Wing Chu, Principal Economist (Greater China Research Team), HKTDC, said: “Boosting domestic demand is one of the government’s top priorities, as highlighted in the Government Work Report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in March. More than 50% of respondents have indicated that they are either already well positioned to tap into the mainland consumer market or are currently expanding or planning to expand their operations to do so. Additional supportive measures from the government could further bolster their businesses.”

About the GBAI
The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.

Related materials
Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index Report: https://www.sc.com/hk/gba/gba-index-report/
HKTDC Research: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTk4MDY0MTYwOQ

Media enquiries

Corporate Affairs DepartmentStandard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Flora Chiu
Tel: (852) 3843 2285
Email: flora.chiu@sc.com

Communications & Public Affairs DepartmentHKTDC
Katy Wong	Clayton Lauw
Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Tel: (852) 2584 4472
Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Hong Kong products highly rated by ASEAN e-shoppers

– Singaporean, Thai and Malaysian consumers spend the most

Hong Kong businesses are well placed to make good on the government’s budget commitment to step up e-commerce trade with the ASEAN bloc, according to new research from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). In particular, the findings show that the extension of the E-Commerce Easy initiative may be of huge benefit to Hong Kong’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Titled ASEAN eCommerce opportunities: Insights on Consumer Behaviours and Positioning of Hong Kong Products, the research shows that Hong Kong brands and products are already particularly valued in six key ASEAN markets – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – with every indication that this positive perception will lead to significant growth in future trade.

Previewed today, the full report will be released on 19 March during a dedicated session at this year’s HKTDC MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse events at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

HK electronic, fashion, cosmetic products popular in ASEAN
Among the key findings of the research is the high level of popularity Hong Kong brands and products enjoy among ASEAN-6 e-consumers. In fact, some 70% of online shoppers within the six-nation grouping indicated they had bought at least one Hong Kong-sourced product within the past 12 months.

This preference was particularly pronounced among younger consumers, with the 18-29-year-old demographic indicating the highest regard for goods of Hong Kong origin.

In terms of the factors behind the appeal of Hong Kong brands and products for ASEAN consumers, the research identified three primary reasons. Firstly – and most compellingly – some 35% of respondents perceived Hong Kong-sourced goods as less costly and better value for money than those from other sources.

Secondly, a significant proportion of respondents (33%) stated that they particularly valued Hong Kong-sourced items for the way they seamlessly and successfully blended Asian and Western elements. A further 32% indicated that the stylish nature of the online inventory of Hong Kong-sourced items was the attribute they valued most highly.

In terms of Hong Kong e-commerce categories with the highest level of appeal for ASEAN-6 purchasers, consumer electronic items topped the list, winning favour with 70% of respondents. Taking the number-two spot was Hong Kong-sourced fashion items (38%), while coming a close third was the city’s online range of cosmetic/personal care products (34%).

Singaporean, Thai and Malaysian e-shoppers spend the most
The survey also found e-shoppers from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia spent the most per purchase on Hong Kong goods. Take Hong Kong-sourced consumer electronics as an example, Singapore e-shoppers on average spent US$371 per purchase, followed by those in Thailand (US$276).

In terms of individual ASEAN markets, it was Thailand that showed the greatest partiality to Hong Kong e-commerce items, with 81% of the relevant survey respondents having purchased such an item within the past 12 months.

In second place was Indonesia, with 73% of respondents having ordered a Hong Kong item online within the last year. Slightly below this, in third place, was the Philippines, with 69% of the country’s respondents having made a related purchase over the past 12 months.

In terms of age demographics, respondents aged 30-49 had the highest average spending per purchase.

Separately, an average of 76% of those 18-29 year-olds across all ASEAN-6 markets had purchased a Hong Kong-sourced item online within the past 12 months. Among the 30-49 segment, the corresponding figure fell marginally to 72%, before falling further – to 52% – for online shoppers aged 50 or above. Reassuringly, even in this older category, a slender majority still manifested a preference for buying from the city via an online channel.

Commenting on the significance of the survey, Irina Fan, Director of HKTDC Research, said: “It’s encouraging that the first study of its kind should show just how willing ASEAN consumers are to purchase Hong Kong brands and products via a variety of online channels. In line with our findings, Hong Kong SMEs should particularly bear in mind the high regard consumers in Thailand and Indonesia have for Hong Kong-sourced products.”

Ms Fan added: “In terms of product categories, it’s clearly particularly good news for Hong Kong companies in the consumer electronics sector, an area that has long been one of the city’s key strengths.”

Full report revealed at eTailingPulse
The HKTDC is organising the MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next Wednesday, 19 March. The full ASEAN e-Commerce opportunities: Insights on Consumer Behaviours and Positioning of Hong Kong Products report will be unveiled at an eTailingPulse panel discussion, where business leaders will share insights from their successful experiences in the ASEAN e-commerce market.

The panel is among nearly 30 sessions at the two Pulse events, which bring together more than 65 global elites from diverse industry sectors, including influential marketing experts, economists, retail giants, brand strategists, advertising and PR professionals and e-commerce leaders.

Themed Inspiring Possibilities, the events aim to turn visionary ideas into actionable strategies and spark cross-disciplinary collaboration. This year’s event will spotlight six key marketing topics: leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovative marketing strategies; integrating art, music and culture into brand marketing to explore new frontiers; embracing neurodiversity to foster more inclusive marketing perspectives; opportunities in the ASEAN and halal markets; addressing the challenges and possibilities of global industry transformation in light of the rising trend of single-person households; and empowering the “she economy” through innovative AI solutions to enhance the market competitiveness of e-commerce platforms.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore forward-thinking market dynamics, emerging trends, innovative marketing strategies and compelling success stories.

HKTDC support SMEs tapping into e-commerce
The HKTDC has been supporting SMEs to tap into the tremendous business opportunities brought by the rapidly developing e-commerce market. The HKTDC Design Gallery online store will extend to Singapore and Malaysia in 2025/26, followed by Thailand in a subsequent phase. Hong Kong suppliers will be able to sell their products to the ASEAN region through this online channel in the form of cross-border e-commerce. The range of products to be offered in the initial stage includes gifts, housewares, bags, baby/kids’ products and eco-friendly products.

This year, the HKTDC is also launching a year-long programme called E-Commerce Express to address the pain points faced by local SMEs when developing cross-border e-commerce businesses in the mainland. The programme will involve the HKTDC, together with major e-commerce or social media platforms, arranging a series of thematic training seminars and research sharing sessions.

Appendix
– E-commerce Easy: The E-commerce Easy initiative was set up by the Hong Kong SAR Government in July 2024 to help fund local businesses as they seek to serve potential mainland clients via a range of e-commerce channels. In the 2024 Policy Address, the Government announced it would expand the scheme to cover ASEAN-10 markets within 2025, with Hong Kong companies looking to access the bloc via online sales platforms eligible for subsidies of up to HK$1 million.
– Methodology: HKTDC Research conducted an online survey of 1,846 online shoppers in June and July 2024 covering the six ASEAN-6 markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. There were roughly 300 respondents from each country. Typically, respondents were aged 18 to 60, resided within selected major metropolitan areas, made online purchases at least once a month, and were mid- to high-annual income earners.

References
HKTDC Research website: https://research.hktdc.com/en/

Photo download: https://bit.ly/41zMoAf

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Jane Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4137	Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Katy Wong	Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Exceptional Presence of 24 Hong Kong Innovators Mesmerised Mobile World Congress Audience

– Hong Kong tech companies looking to supply Europe markets with innovative solutions and
– inspirational exchanges in terms of tech and talent

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) joined the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in highlighting achievements of 24 tech companies and corporations at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, marking it the largest delegation to date joining the world’s biggest mobile industry event.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion continues its journey overseas from recent appearance at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and engages the premises of Europe, covering the latest solutions in key sectors including Advanced Electronics & Robotics; AI & Data; and Digital Transformation. Ranging from AI-integrated products to automation services, these technological excellence brewed optimism in extending to new frontiers, and gain traction from industry leaders, potential partners, and inspired investors. (Please refer to Appendix 1 for the full list of participants.)

A partnership agreement signed between HKSTP and 22@Network Barcelona, and a Memorandum of Understanding signed between HKTDC and Barcelona City Council, both witnessed by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) of HKSAR Government, will be urging conversations in promoting collective efforts between the cities for a sustainable I&T future.

Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, commented: “The world’s premier mobile event makes an unrivalledopportunity to forge impactful connections – an important stage for each local tech company to play a role in the European and global markets and accelerate the adoption of transformative solutions. We look forward with excitement to witnessing new opportunities for innovation on both sides emerge at this year’s conference.”

Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC added: “The HKTDC is committed to showcasing Hong Kong’s dynamic technological prowess on the global stage. We are proud to present 24 outstanding Hong Kong start-ups and tech ventures at the Mobile World Congress, an important global arena showcasing the latest mobile communications advances. Moreover, we are happy to renew our partnership with Barcelona City Council and continuously strengthen cooperation in promoting trade and investment between the two cities. The HKTDC also continues to work closely with the city council to help Hong Kong tech start-ups gain exposure in the Spanish market”

As one of the top emerging startup ecosystems, Hong Kong ranks third global after Madrid and Barcelona, and companies from the EU make up the largest foreign business community in Hong Kong, totalling 1,640 according to government data in 2024, and Technology is highly active contributing to this figure, suggesting spotlight in I&T collaborations between the regions is encouraged. Sharing the notion, HKSTP will be joining Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) to co-organise a seminar in London, following further on the traction for potential investors, partners, and high-calibre talents to thrive in Hong Kong.

Photo download: https://tinyurl.com/2v93bpcr

Photo 1: Hong Kong Tech Pavilion saw the presence of (from left) Paula Kant, Head of Investment Promotion of InvestHK; Chris Lo, Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel of HKTDC; Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP; Susana Prado, President of 22@Network Barcelona; Shirley Yung, Special Represenattive for HK Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Union, Brussels ETO; Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSAR Government; Jordi Valls Riera, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council; Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC; Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport; and Whitney Chan, Senior Systems Manager of Digital Policy Office of HKSAR Government.

Photo 2: MoU signed between the HKTDC and Barcelona City Council was represented by Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC (left) and Jordi Valls Riera, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council (right), and witnessed by Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSAR Government (middle).

Photo 3: A Partnership agreement signed by Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (left in front) and Susana Prado, President of 22@Network Barcelona (right in front) was witnessed by Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSAR Government (left in the back) and Jordi Valls Riera, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council (right in the back) in forming an alliance to foster growth of both the I&T communities.

Photo 4-5: Derek Chim, Head of Startups Ecosystem and Development of HKSTP (first on the left of Photo 4) joined in sharing Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem at the 4YFN25, an occasion that connects international innovators, and celebrates achievement and aim to “Create Better.”

Photo 6: 24 Hong Kong tech companies and corporations at Mobile World Congress 2025 Barcelona, Spain.

Photo 7-10: Showcases of Hong Kong tech companies engaging the local audience.

Note:
– Non-HKSTP park companies marked with (*).

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 as a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 14 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,200 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

The growing ecosystem serves at an international I&T hub in Asia, offers comprehensive support including R&D infrastructure, investment expertise, partnership networks, talent traction and more, in accelerating ideation, and commercialising innovation for technology ventures, all with the I&T journey built around key locations across Hong Kong and branched towards the GBA and further to continuously contribute to the development of I&T making a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

About Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.

For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media Contact:Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Sam Yan
Tel: +852 2629 6743
Email: sam.yan@hkstp.org

The Hoffman Agency
Daphne Chan
Tel: +852 5960 7926
Email: dchan@hoffman.com

Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Katy Wong
Tel: +852 2584 4524
Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.com

Raconteur
Betsy Tse
Tel: +852 9742 7338
Email: betsytse@reconteur.hk

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show opens today showcasing global innovative designs

– New exhibition zone highlights creative craftsmanship from around the world; results of two major design competitions announced today

The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show launches today (4 March) and runs until 8 March, showcasing a wide range of designs incorporating creative and cultural elements
The debut “Young Jewellery Designer Arena” showcases the creativity and craftsmanship of up-and-coming talents
The results of two major jewellery design competitions are revealed today. The International Jewellery Design Excellence Award features 80 worldwide award-winning pieces competing for the “Champion of the Champions”. The design that clinched both the Best of Show Award in the Open Group and the Craftsmanship & Technology Award in the Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition was a beautifully crafted ring inspired by Monet’s “Water Lilies”

The 41st Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opens today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and runs for five consecutive days, closing on 8 March. It runs concurrently with the 11th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show which opened on Sunday (2 March) at AsiaWorld-Expo and finishes on 6 March. This year’s twin jewellery shows have attracted some 4,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and regions, showcasing a spectrum of jewellery raw materials, finished products and technological tools, helping to create an international one-stop jewellery trading platform.

Leading the trend with innovative and fashionable designs
The jewellery industry is increasingly focusing on fashionable styles, with innovative designs becoming key to helping products stand out in the market. For many years, the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has provided an excellent platform for exhibitors to showcase their boundless creativity and exquisite craftsmanship. This year, Hong Kong exhibitor OSI Vitoria Jewelry (Booth: CEC GH-E08) introduces a floral necklace featuring a 62-carat emerald surrounded by more than 3,400 spinels, sapphires and diamonds, depicting the dazzling moment of fireworks lighting up the sky. Japanese exhibitor Jewelry of Raden & Urushi (Booth: CEC 1CON-016) presents a dragon-shaped brooch and pendant made of 18K gold, Akoya pearls, diamonds and mother-of-pearl, with intricate craftsmanship that imbues the design with life. Australian exhibitor Autore Pearls Pty Ltd (Booth: CEC GH-C32) showcases a vivid snake-shaped necklace that echoes the Year of the Snake, adorned with pearls, diamonds and gemstones. In the newly added Gold Jewellery Zone, Malaysian exhibitor Chl Innovation Industries Sdn Bhd (Booth: CEC 3E-D15) exhibits a durian pendant with distinctive local charm.

Many exhibitors keep their fingers on the pulse of jewellery trends and launch creative products incorporated with traditional cultural elements. Hong Kong exhibitor Zuri Jewelry Company Limited (Booth: CEC 1E-C18) capitalised on Hong Kong’s “panda economy” to introduce its “Panda and Bamboo” jewellery collection. Changzhou Yi’an Jewelry Co., Ltd (Booth: CEC 1CON-029) from Mainland China harnesses filigree inlay technique, an almost-lost craft that is part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, to create 18K gold wheatears – a piece that won the Best Design Award in the 2019 Tiangong Awards.

A new addition to this year’s show is the Young Jewellery Designer Arena, showcasing the creations and craftsmanship of up-and-coming talents to global buyers. The event also features 18 national, regional and industry pavilions, including the UK Pavilion led by British Jewellery & Giftware International with sophisticated jewellery pieces from eight British designers.

Two major jewellery design competitions discover and nurture new talents
The HKTDC has always put great emphasis on discovering and nurturing emerging talents to further elevate the standard of jewellery design. This year, it has once again joined hands with The Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association of Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association and the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China Ltd to organise the 7th International Jewellery Design Excellence (IJDE) Award and the 26th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition (HKJDC) to identify new talents. The award ceremonies for the two competitions were held this morning and the winning entries will be on display at the Hall 1D and 1E Concourse throughout the International Jewellery Show.

Held for the first time since the pandemic, the 2025 IJDE Award received an enthusiastic response with 80 award-winning entries from nine countries and regions competing for the highest honour – the “Champion of the Champions”. The entries were assessed by an esteemed panel of judges with Lawrence Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show Fair Organising Committee, serving as chief judge and other members including representatives from L’ECOLE, School of Jewelry and the De Beers Group, among others. (See Table 1 for the list of selected winning entries from the 7th IJDE Award.)

The theme for this year’s HKJDC was “Lasting Brilliance“, encouraging participants to showcase the enduring allure of jewellery through their creations. The competition was divided into an Open Group and Student Group and received a total of 86 entries. The judging panel, made up of six professionals from diverse fields such as jewellery and design, selected the winning entries after careful consideration. (See Table 2 for the list of selected winning entries from the 26th HKJDC.)

Series of events enhance industry networking
A jewellery networking reception is being held tonight to boost connections among participants, welcoming jewellery industry representatives and both local and international buyers. Salina Yan, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, will be the Guest of Honour. In addition, three jewellery parades will be held during the show, echoing its “Symphony of Sparkles” theme with displays of exquisite jewellery pieces. Over the course of the twin jewellery shows, more than 30 industry seminars, parades and other activities are being organised to further facilitate industry exchange.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3QI66F3

Media enquiries
Please contact HKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:

Sharon Ha	Tel: (852) 2584 4575	Email: sharon.mt.ha@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4272	Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw	Tel: (852) 2584 4472	Email: clayton.y.lawuw@hktdc.org

HKTDC strengthens local competitiveness and global connections

– Driving innovation, nurturing a new generation of SMEs
– reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a resilient international business hub

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today announced its work focus for the 2025/26 fiscal year, which aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s competitive advantages and intensify efforts to promote Hong Kong as a resilient international business hub. Embracing opportunities arising from global development trends, the HKTDC continues to create new opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.

HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter K N Lam said: “Just two months into 2025, the HKTDC has already held a number of major events, such as the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in January and three trade fairs, which attracted strong participation from attendees, buyers and exhibitors from around the world, a herald of a year of vibrant business activity.”

“Looking ahead, the HKTDC will strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a resilient and connected international business hub, intensify efforts to promote our city’s advantages to the global business community and promote further integration of Hong Kong into the national development framework, which highlighting Hong Kong’s unique role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Furthermore, we will drive innovation and sustainable development to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness, and nurture a new generation of SMEs and start-ups.”

In 2024, the HKTDC hosted over 40 large-scale exhibitions and conferences in Hong Kong, attracting buyers, exhibitors and attendees from over 190 countries and regions, further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as the premier hub for exhibitions and conferences in Asia. Particularly noteworthy was the increased participation from Mainland China and emerging markets, such as ASEAN and the Middle East, as well as the traditional markets of Europe and North America, with all showing robust growth compared to 2023.

In the 2025/26 fiscal year, the HKTDC will intensify efforts to actively promote Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities to Mainland China and the global business community, further solidifying Hong Kong’s crucial role as a key global hub for two-way investment and trade.

HKTDC’s 2025/2026 major work focuses are:
1. Reinforce Hong Kong’s unique role as a resilient and connected business hub globally, and strengthen its integration into national development and role as superconnector and super value-adder
Strengthen Hong Kong’s integration into national development

– Stage targeted fundraising salons in Mainland China to entice mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong;
– Organise the second edition of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival in August and launch the E-Commerce Express to help SMEs deepen their understanding of mainland e-commerce and online platforms through a series of specialised training seminars and one-on-one advisory services;
– Active participation in mainland fairs, including setting up Hong Kong Image Pavilions at key mainland expos to promote Hong Kong’s advantages; organising a Hong Kong Day networking event at the China International Import Expo targeting key buyers and enriching the Style Hong Kong Pavilion offerings at the China International Consumer Products Expo to create more collaboration opportunities.

– Organise sectoral outbound mission
:1) A GoGBA mission to Dongguan will be organised to help SMEs in the food processing and medical devices sectors to stay competitive amid an evolving manufacturing landscape with innovative technologies;
2) An e-tailing mission to e-commerce hotspot Zhejiang to help SMEs understand the latest developments; and
3) A Fashion Go Places mission to Guangzhou and Dongguan to connect Hong Kong fashion industry players with partners in fashion tech and beyond.

Reinforce Hong Kong’s role as superconnector and super value-adder
– Build partnerships with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) government agencies and industry multipliers to attract more RCEP businesses to leverage HKTDC trade fairs to connect with international buyers;
– Launch the Hong Kong Risk Management Squad to help mainland and ASEAN companies with plans for global expansion to mitigate business risks;
– Introduce the ASEAN Lifestyle Pioneer Series to increase SMEs’ market exposure in the region and facilitate opportunities;
– Stage Think Business, Think Hong Kong campaign in Italy to spotlight Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages, including its service offerings; and
– Organise missions, including to:
1) ASEAN to explore opportunities in the food and health supplement industry; and
2) Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with an Infrastructure Development and Real Estate-related Services (IRES) delegation to capture opportunities arising from infrastructure expansion in the Middle East.

2. Fortify Hong Kong’s competitiveness by embracing innovation and sustainable development, to support the national new quality productive forces strategy, and seize opportunities arising from global trends
Support the national new quality productive forces strategy

– Strengthen the content of and recruitment for exhibitions and conferences:
1) Establish InnoEX as an international I&T exchange platform for Asia;
2) Recruit more agritech and foodtech firms sought after by investors, to join AFF Deal-making;
3) Explore collaboration with local research centres to coorganise thematic sessions at the Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) to facilitate industry collaboration;
4) Collaborate with Hong Kong Baptist University’s Chinese Medicine Hospital and Belt & Road Alliance for Traditional Chinese Medicine at ASGH to examine Hong Kong’s role in Traditional Chinese Medicine’s globalisation;
5) Explore opportunities in the low-altitude economy at the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) and InnoEX;
6) Launch the SmartHK Tech Series to showcase Hong Kong’s I&T strengths across the GBA and at mainland I&T fairs; and
7) Focus on PropTech for Building for the Future campaign, especially in the mainland, to highlight Hong Kong’s strengths in PropTech and smart city development.

– Strengthen connections and collaboration with InnoHK, the Innovation and Technology Commission cluster:
1) Strengthen ties with the Health@InnoHK cluster to better understand their business matching needs and facilitate connections with relevant business partners and investors;
2) Partner with InnoHK research centres, local universities and incubators for the International Trade Fastpass SmartBiz Series to highlight the benefits of adopting innovative tech solutions.

Seize opportunities arising from global trends
– Sustainable development:
1) Launch the Hong Kong Green Team to highlight Hong Kong’s green strengths and capabilities in Hong Kong and ASEAN;
2) Invite sustainable fashion brands to promote circular fashion and a greener industry at CENTRESTAGE; and
3) Work with ESG-related multipliers to provide sustainability workshops and ESG certification courses for Transformation Sandbox (T-box) members.

Medical health and the silver economy:
1) Organise biotech missions to Europe and the US in partnership with industry multipliers to help start-ups grow and transform;
2) Invite partners and investors with expertise in geriatric medicine and elderly care to introduce ageing-related innovations at ASGH to facilitate collaboration and tech commercialisation;
3) Enhance the product line-up at Food Expo to showcase healthy food and supplements targeting the silver market; and
4) Create a thematic cluster on hktdc.com Sourcing to further highlight Optical Fair exhibitors targeting the silver market.

– Islamic business opportunities:
1) Collaborate with the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong to feature local halal food manufacturers at Food Expo PRO;
2) Strengthen participation of pavilions of countries with a large halal market to enrich the variety of halal products at Food Expo PRO.

3. Build the next generation of connected and future-ready SMEs and start-ups, and fast-track SMEs’ digital transformation
Build the next generation of connected and future-ready SMEs and start-ups

– Talent matching: Leverage events, such as InnoEX and Entrepreneur Day (E-Day), to offer talent matching sessions for start-ups and I&T companies.

– Strengthen collaboration with institutions:
1) Partner with the Hong Kong Productivity Council to inform Global Tech Summit participants about the latest tech in Industry 4.0 and showcase related solutions at E-Day to help SMEs, start-ups become future-ready;
2) Partner with academic institutions and youth and community organisations to engage young individuals at our fairs to equip them with the knowledge and skills in digital transformation and sustainability;
3) Launch the CV Clinic at the Education & Careers Expo by partnering with recruitment agencies to help the younger generation with their job search; and
4) Collaborate with local universities to leverage ASGH for their entrepreneurship events and as a showcase for their biomed projects.

Fast-track SMEs’ digital transformation
– Debut an AI productivity workshop series at InnoEX to help SMEs harness the power of AI tools to boost productivity;
– Host dedicated sessions at MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse to educate brands on short video features on the mainland’s social media platforms;
– Collaborate with leading AI service providers to provide T-box members with practical AI applications.

Media enquiries
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Agnes Wat Tel: (852) 2584 4554 Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org
Sam Ho Tel: (852) 2584 4569 Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

GoDaddy Airo: An AI-Powered Revolutionary Solution for Asian Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

GoDaddy, a global leader in empowering entrepreneurs, unveiled GoDaddy Airo®, an innovative AI-powered experience set to transform small and medium-sized businesses sector. This groundbreaking new AI-powered experience enables entrepreneurs to establish a comprehensive online presence within minutes, bridging the gap between vision and digital reality.

Selina Bieber, Vice President for International Markets at GoDaddy, emphasized the new experience’s significance, “GoDaddy Airo® provides accessible AI-powered tools for Asian entrepreneurs and business owners to realize the benefits of using AI technology to help build and grow their digital brands together effortlessly.”

The AI-driven features include instant brand creation, digital marketing tools, Search Engine Optimization, and a user-friendly interface that allows navigation of advanced features without technical expertise. GoDaddy Airo® generates custom logos, websites, and email addresses in moments, develops targeted social media calendar aligned with local events, and enhances online visibility with built-in email marketing campaigns.

Many small business owners feel they face challenges in leveraging new technologies, primarily due to high implementation costs and lack of in-house technical expertise. GoDaddy Airo® eliminates these obstacles by providing cost-effective solutions accessible to businesses of all sizes, an intuitive design requiring no specialized skills, and comprehensive support and resources to confidently embrace AI technology and realize its benefits to their business operations.

With the purchase of a domain name, GoDaddy Airo® leverages the power of AI to make it easy to start a business and take it to the next level with a user-friendly online interface that requires no technical expertise.

Key features include:

Logo Creation – Building a compelling visual identity is essential for any business but can be time-consuming and expensive. With GoDaddy Airo® entrepreneurs can generate unique, professional logos in minutes, providing a solid brand image without needing design expertise.  
Instant Website Development – One of the platform’s standout features is its ability to generate complete websites instantly. Entrepreneurs can publish a functional site with personalized content within minutes, simplifying digital presence creation without technical skills.  
Automated Search Engine Optimization – GoDaddy helps businesses enhance their search rankings by providing suggestions to optimize their websites with targeted keywords and descriptions. AI analyses and recommends improvements, increasing visibility in search engine results and helping small businesses attract more customers.  
Professional Email Services – A company domain-based email not only builds customer trust but also promotes the brand with every message sent. Additionally, it is backed by advanced email security through Microsoft 365, with features such as proactive protection, email backup, archiving, and seamless migration.

“GoDaddy Airo® can offer business owners new opportunities, while saving valuable time, so they can focus on building their brand, engaging with their customers and growing,” added Bieber.

For more information on how GoDaddy Airo® can help your business, visit.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by enabling them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Issued on behalf of GoDaddy.

For more information, contact:
Fekra Communications
info@fekracomms.com

foundit Insights Tracker: Malaysia and Philippines Thrive with 85% and 75% Retail Hiring Growth, Singapore Steadies Ahead

foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), a leading jobs and talent platform, has released the annual foundit Insights Tracker (fit) report, offering comprehensive insights into hiring trends across Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. This in-depth analysis sheds light on the evolving employment landscapes in these dynamic Southeast Asian economies.

The tracker analyses labour market trends in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, offering key insights into hiring dynamics across these job markets.

A closer look at the hiring trends shows that the Philippines recorded a robust 20% YoY growth in hiring primarily driven by its expansion of retail, logistics, and BPO sectors. Malaysia also experienced a 10% rise in hiring activities, while Singapore saw an 11% drop, reflecting a slowdown, especially in industries like IT and BFSI.

Commenting on these findings, V Suresh, CEO of foundit, said, “The evolving employment landscape across Southeast Asia is shaped by key factors such as digital adoption, workplace dynamics, and shifting compensation strategies. Malaysia has leveraged its digital momentum, particularly in retail and hospitality, to drive substantial hiring growth. Similarly, the Philippines has capitalised on consumer demand to expand its retail sector. Meanwhile, in Singapore, technology and efficiency are redefining industry roles. Overall, businesses that strike a balance between technology-driven strategies and employee well-being will be best positioned to navigate these shifts and sustain long-term growth.”

Malaysia recorded the highest YoY growth in Retail hiring at 85%, followed by the Philippines at 75%, where growth was driven by rapid expansion of retail outlets and rising middle-class consumption. Meanwhile, Singapore’s retail industry experienced a 9% YoY decline in hiring activities, which reflects the maturity of its online shopping business.

A sector-specific analysis showed that substantial investments, visa-free policies and spending on digital advertising across borders made by the Malaysian government led to the 42% YoY growth in hiring in the hospitality sector. Meanwhile, growing infrastructural investments, rising tourism, and the use of smart hospitality technology like digital booking systems enabled the Philippines to achieve a notable 30% growth.

Singapore’s hospitality industry saw a 15% decline in recruitment annually, reflecting a slowdown in workforce demand within the sector. This low performance might be attributed to limited promotional initiatives, tighter visa norms and technological shifts such as jobs being outsourced to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.

Functional outlook analysis across sectors indicated that Malaysia saw a 25% annual increase in roles across Software, Hardware, and Telecom. This resilience reflects the high demand for experts in AI, machine learning, and cloud computing, aligning with the global digitalisation trend as companies place a higher priority on technology for long-term growth and sustainability. In contrast, Singapore experienced a sharp 45% decline in tech roles, and Philippines faced challenges at -8% YoY.

Hiring activity in the Marketing & Communications industry saw an upward annual trend in both the Philippines and Malaysia, reaching 43% and 36%, respectively. Digital campaigns, the growth of social media, SEO & SEM, and expanding e-commerce technology have propelled this surge. In contrast, Singapore’s Marketing & Communications sector faced a 9% decline in hiring demand, primarily due to reduced budgets for traditional marketing roles.

A notable shift was observed in HR & Administration roles, with the Philippines experiencing remarkable growth of 47% over the last year. This was driven by the expansion of industries such as Retail, Outsourcing, and Infrastructure sectors, as companies prioritised scaling their HR functions to manage workforce growth, streamline operations, and enhance employee engagement. At the same time, HR roles in Malaysia grew by 28%, while Singapore saw a 12% decline, most likely due to organisations in the country shifting towards automation and outsourcing of administrative functions to optimise costs.

About foundit Insights Tracker

The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) offers a detailed perspective on hiring patterns in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, focusing on the demand for specific skills, available positions, and salary ranges in the market. This analysis provides essential insights for job seekers and employers navigating the evolving employment landscape.

Period for the Report

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) data is December 2023 vs. December 2024, offering a comprehensive view of hiring trends in these key Asian markets.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME) is Asia’s leading jobs & talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. In addition to a powerful AI-powered job search, foundit offers e-learning, assessments, and services related to resume creation, interview preparation, and professional networking. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 120 million job seekers across 18 countries in connecting them with the right job opportunities and upskilling. foundit is now also the Official Talent Partner of the Badminton World Federation across 20 key world tour events.

Over the last two decades, the company has been a leader in the world of recruitment solutions and has launched a cutting-edge solution to give recruiters access to passive candidates in addition to active ones. With the use of advanced technology, foundit is seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches and offer precision hiring. Additionally, foundit has been recognised as a Great Place To Work, reflecting its dedication to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture.

For Media Contacts:
Namrata Sharma| Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com | +6581383034

Venturi Partners invests USD 25M in footwear brand JQR

Venturi Partners, a leading consumer fund in India and Southeast Asia, today announced a $25 million investment in JQR (Just Quick Run), a rapidly emerging brand in the affordable footwear segment. This marks the first venture capital funding for JQR, with Venturi acquiring an undisclosed minority stake.

Founded in 2014, JQR is today, a highly trusted brand in India’s $12 billion mid and economy priced footwear segment. With vertically integrated manufacturing, in-house design capabilities and strong offline distribution, JQR consistently delivers high quality products at affordable price points.

Rishika Chandan, Managing Director of Venturi Partners, commented: “We are very excited to partner with JQR. The footwear industry is seeing strong support from government policies, and we believe there is a significant gap in the price segment that JQR operates in. India’s consumer market continues to have a dearth of high-quality, affordable brands, and our mission at Venturi is to identify and scale such businesses across categories. JQR has impressed us with its product quality, design aesthetic, in-house manufacturing, and well-established distribution network. We look forward to working closely with the founders to accelerate their growth trajectory.”

This funding will allow JQR to further expand its offline presence to new markets as well as launch its online channel, and further enhance its product offerings to meet India’s rising demand for affordable, high-quality sneakers.

The promoter brothers of JQR, Rinku, Sunil and Manish Garg commented: “The partnership with Venturi Partners marks an exciting milestone in JQR’s journey. The investment will not only allow us to accelerate our growth and deliver value to our consumers, but, with their support and expertise, we are also confident that JQR will emerge as the leading brand in its category and deliver strong value to all stakeholders.”

This investment is part of Venturi Partners’ broader strategy to empower audacious brands across sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) amongst others. Venturi Partners aims to support JQR not just with funding but also with strategic expertise, helping the company scale efficiently while staying true to its core brand identity. Venturi’s existing portfolio includes Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, DALI, and K-12 Techno.

About Venturi Partners:

Founded in 2020, Venturi Partners is an Asia-focused investment platform that enables consumer-facing businesses build disruptive brands in India and Southeast Asia. The firm provides growth funding to consumer-centric, purpose-driven brands, with a focus on retail, education, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods, that have a shared desire to create a positive impact on the world. Venturi has built a unique investment platform for families wanting to participate in the long-term consumer growth trends in Asia. The platform is built around shared values and long-term partnerships, and aims to bring operational value-add to entrepreneurs building tomorrow’s leading brands in Asia.

For more information, please visit www.venturi.partners

About JQR:

Founded in 2013, JQR Sports Shoes is a symbol of quality footwear in India. Known as the “People’s Brand,” the company has dedicated themselves to serving every Indian with shoes that redefine comfort, style, and durability. In 2015, the brand launched India’s first fluorescent shoes. Over the years, JQR’s unwavering commitment to innovation has made the firm a leader in the footwear industry.

Media Contacts
Adfactors PR:
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034

GoDaddy: Boost Your Business at the New Year with Digital Tools to Help Drive E-Commerce Growth and Marketing Success

As the new year gets started, small businesses owners are gearing up for the year to come. To help businesses get started early on to drive their sales growth throughout the year, GoDaddy offers a suite of AI-powered tools designed to help small businesses get found online, streamline e-commerce, optimize marketing strategies, and boost customer engagement in a competitive market.

A New Year, A New Opportunity

As 2025 gets started, businesses have an opportunity to prepare themselves to make the most of digital opportunities to help their business grow. Small business owners are shown to be more open to using artificial intelligence where they believe it will help impact their businesses. GoDaddy’s Entrepreneurship survey global results showed that 68% said they will use artificial intelligence in marketing and 55% said they would use it in business planning and strategy. GoDaddy Airo™, an AI-powered experience, is designed to save small business owners time in establishing their online presence and attract new customers by realizing the benefits of using AI technologies to help their business be more efficient and drive growth.

Build a Strong Digital Presence for 2025

As businesses transition into the new year, setting a solid digital strategy is crucial. Having a professional website tailored for a business can help to raise business visibility and online reach as more people go online first to check where to eat, where to shop and where to visit. With GoDaddy Airo’s customizable experience included with any new domain purchase, along with a new domain, a business can then instantly build a website, logo and more.

Additionally, GoDaddy’s digital marketing tool allows businesses to create personalized, targeted marketing campaigns. Businesses can engage with customers by offering exclusive discounts, promoting limited time offers, and creating festive promotions to help drive new customer conversions.

GoDaddy’s SEO tools help businesses optimize their websites for local search, ensuring that they rank higher on search engines and attract more potential customers. These tools can help businesses directly connect with their target audience and integrate with driving sales via social channels, which when integrated together with a website, strengthens a business’ overall digital presence.

Tailored Promotion Strategies for Businesses

Holiday seasons are often a key period for businesses to connect with customers to help drive sales and build revenue. GoDaddy’s tools are designed to help local businesses tap into the full potential of shopping seasons during the year, including peak shopping times. GoDaddy Websites + Marketing with online store makes it easy for businesses to set up an online store as a part of their website with localized payment options, multi-currency support, and a user-friendly design. This enables businesses to cater to diverse audiences and meet their customers’ needs throughout the year and especially during busy festive periods.

“With increased interest in building websites and selling online, it’s important for businesses to recognize their specific customer needs,” says Selina Bieber, Vice President for International Markets at GoDaddy. “The GoDaddy Airo AI-powered experience, helps small businesses get online quickly with a professional website and integrates with social media platforms, helping small business owners create a digital presence without spending hours working on it,” she adds.

Leverage Data with Analytics to Drive Results

Understanding customer behavior and trends can be key to successful customer engagement strategies. GoDaddy’s website analytics offer valuable insights, helping businesses track user activity, measuring campaign performance, and adjust strategies in real-time. By using these insights, business owners can optimize their websites and promotional offers to better cater to their audience’s needs.With GoDaddy’s digital tools and solutions, businesses can build a robust digital presence while also gain efficiencies by streamlining their operations by automating invoicing, managing inventory, and offering a mobile-friendly shopping experience. These tools allow entrepreneurs to focus on engaging with their customers and growing their business, while GoDaddy supports the technical aspects of presenting their digital presence.

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo™, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Issued on behalf of GoDaddy.

For more information, contact:
Fekra Communications
info@fekracomms.com