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Hong Kong Shopping Festival Returns in August with Bigger and Better 2nd Edition

– Spotlighting nearly 260 Brands and Opening the Way for Hong Kong SMEs to Thrive in Mainland E-commerce

The HKTDC returns with the second Hong Kong Shopping Festival in August, building on the initiatives in the 2024 Policy Address to help local SMEs expand into the Mainland China market through e-commerce channels
The Hong Kong Shopping Festival is the flagship event of the E-commerce Express, and has received an enthusiastic response, attracting nearly 260 brands presented by Hong Kong SMEs across seven major categories, providing them with practical opportunities to operate on key e-commerce platforms in the mainland
Fully supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government Paul Chan filmed a promotional video for the Hong Kong Shopping Festival.

The second Hong Kong Shopping Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will take place on Mainland e-commerce platforms from 1 to 31 August. Fully aligned with measures outlined in the 2024 Policy Address, the festival aims to support Hong Kong’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they expand into the Mainland e-commerce market. As the flagship event of HKTDC’s E-commerce Express, the Hong Kong Shopping Festival has attracted nearly 260 brands across seven major categories, including health supplements, food and beverages, home and living, personal care and cosmetics, apparel and accessories, smart gadgets, and products for the silver market. The festival features over 500 unique products and offers month-long discount promotions. With the full support of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a launch ceremony for the second Hong Kong Shopping Festival was held today. The Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government Paul Chan also filmed a promotional video for the campaign (video link: https://bit.ly/4mkvpec).

Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government said: “Building on the great success of the first edition of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival last year, this year’s event has attracted even more brands to participate. E-commerce is a major global trend in retail development. In 2024, the cross-border e-commerce market of the Mainland with vast potential reached over RMB17 trillion, presenting a golden opportunity for Hong Kong businesses to expand. In light of this, the government has been fully supporting industry upgrading and transformation through various measures to help enterprises establish online sales channels. The Hong Kong Shopping Festival serves as an ideal platform to showcase the city’s premium products to more Mainland consumers.”

Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, said: “New consumer trends are emerging in the Mainland market, reshaping buying habits and creating tremendous opportunities for Hong Kong businesses. While Hong Kong SMEs offer high-quality products, they need to understand the local business environment and e-commerce practices to successfully enter this vast market. As the flagship event of HKTDC’s E-commerce Express, the second Hong Kong Shopping Festival will partner with major e-commerce and social media platforms for promotion and include a series of training sessions focused on the Mainland e-commerce market. This initiative aims to help businesses effectively tap into opportunities in Mainland e-commerce and connect with their target customers.”

In November 2024, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) released a research study on the development of cross-border e-commerce for Hong Kong traders. HKTDC Director of Research, Irina Fan, said over 60% of surveyed Hong Kong businesses view the Mainland Chinese market as the most promising e-commerce market in the coming one to two years. To help Hong Kong businesses gain insights into the Mainland e-commerce market, HKTDC Research interviewed 2,200 Mainland consumers from different regions about their online shopping behavior and characteristics. Ms Fan said: “Mainland China is the world’s largest e-commerce market and has a well-developed e-commerce industry. Hong Kong businesses must gain a deep understanding of Mainland consumers’ online shopping behaviors, their preferences for Hong Kong products, and the factors they consider when choosing e-commerce platforms. Only then can they formulate appropriate business strategies and effectively capture opportunities in the Mainland e-commerce retail market.” The latest research report: Hong Kong Businesses Navigating Mainland China E-commerce Retail Market – Consumer Survey Results will be released on 7 August 2025.

The Hong Kong Shopping Festival aims to help Hong Kong businesses take advantage of the large customer base and traffic on Mainland e-commerce platforms, boosting their brand and product visibility while providing practical opportunities. Last year’s inaugural edition was very successful, with total views on e-commerce platforms, social media, and the event’s official website exceeding 90 million. This year, the HKTDC has enhanced the programme, enabling businesses to better seize market opportunities and speed up their expansion into the Mainland market.

To enhance support for Hong Kong SMEs and local brands entering the Mainland e-commerce market, this year’s Hong Kong Shopping Festival has introduced thematic seminars and one-on-one consultancy services. From late 2024 to June 2025, HKTDC has successfully organised a series of training sessions led by marketing experts, who shared practical insights on topics such as cross-border e-commerce, logistics, payment tools, marketing skills, and live-stream production. Additionally, nearly 50 one-on-one consulting meetings were held, where Mainland marketing experts offered tailored e-commerce strategies to individual participating companies based on the unique characteristics of their products.

This year, Discount Month and live-streaming e-commerce will return with enhanced offering. Discount Month will take place from 1 to 31 August, with all Hong Kong businesses involved in the Hong Kong Shopping Festival offering discounts of up to 75%. This initiative not only helps businesses grow but also allows consumers to buy high-quality products from Hong Kong online. The official website of Hong Kong Shopping Festival will provide event details, live-streaming schedules and information about participating brands, products and discounts. In addition, HKTDC will promote the campaign through online and offline platforms, including Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Taobao, JD and others, to boost visits to the official website and, redirect them to the SMEs’ online stores.

HKTDC recently hosted the debut “Product Selection Showcase” which attracted over 40 popular KOLs and their teams from platforms like Taobao, JD.com, and Douyin to connect with participating brands offline in Hong Kong. They experienced the products firsthand, learned about the brand stories, shared highlights and live-stream previews. In early August, HKTDC’s invited Mainland key opinion leaders (KOLs), including Li Jiaqi, Lin Yilun and Hu Ke, will conduct 35 live-streaming sessions for more than 80 brands on major e-commerce platforms, in which nearly 20 live-streaming sessions will take place in Hong Kong for the first time, allowing Mainland consumers to fully experience shopping in Hong Kong. This arrangement will make live-streaming more appealing, enhance visibility for Hong Kong products and brands, and build consumer trust and interest, while providing a valuable live-streaming experience for participating businesses.

Mainland online marketing strategies are diverse and multifaceted. Beyond live-streaming, there are numerous ways to enhance brand exposure. Ryan Tse, President of the Hong Kong Health Food Association, Director of Vita Green Health Products Co., Ltd., Elijandy, Founder and Director of Cross International Ltd and Jones Ng, Founder of Chiwa Digital Media Capital Group Ltd. shared valuable insights in e-commerce marketing and promotion at the launch ceremony. Artist Samantha Ko Hoi Ling talked about her experiences in live-streaming and online shopping, further enhancing the effectiveness and exposure of the second Hong Kong Shopping Festival.

Hong Kong Shopping Festival: https://f1546.vrupup.com/s/1546/f/main.html#/

Media Enquiries
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Louise Song Tel: (852) 3428 5691 Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hk
Tiffany Leung Tel: (852) 3428 2361 Email: tleung@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Sharon Ha Tel: (852) 2584 4575 Email: sharon.mt.ha@hktdc.org
Katy Wong Tel: (852) 2584 4524 Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

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.

HKTDC boosts Hong Kong’s competitive edge in high-value services

– “Digital Trade Masterclass” spotlights digital financing, e-bills of lading and retail supply chain management

The HKTDC continues to help SMEs seize digital trade opportunities by co-hosting with the ICC DSI a masterclass on technologies such as electronic bills of lading and blockchain. More than 200 SMEs took part.
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, emphasised that Hong Kong is actively developing its digital trade ecosystem, with a focus on innovation, efficiency and international collaboration, to consolidate its competitive advantages. As digital trade becomes more common, the HKTDC will ensure Hong Kong businesses continue to thrive and enhance the city’s role as a leading supply chain hub.
Pamela Mar, Managing Director of ICC DSI, noted that by aligning its finance, trade and logistics sectors with global digital trade standards, Hong Kong can remain competitive and resilient on the world stage and is well-positioned to spearhead Asia’s digital-trade development.
Andy Lam, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, said that the Government is making reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records and is considering legislative amendments to remove the legal hurdles in the digitalisation of trade documents. The target is to submit the relevant legislative proposal to the Legislative Council next year to help industry develop technical solutions based on their actual needs.

Digitalisation is reshaping the global economy, and companies must embrace digital transformation to capitalise on new opportunities. The 2025-26 Budget announced that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government would make reference to the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) advocated by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and consider legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of trade documents. The legislative proposal will be submitted to the Legislative Council next year. The MLETR is a global standard advocated by the UNCITRAL to provide a legal framework for electronic trade documents. Aligning local legislation with standards of the MLETR is a major endeavour in promoting trade digitalisation. In line with these efforts, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the International Chamber of Commerce Digital Standards Initiative (ICC DSI) co-hosted the “Digital Trade Masterclass” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to examine the MLETR’s potential impact on Hong Kong’s cross-border trade. Industry experts shared practical insights on digital transformation, helping equip businesses with the information they need to enhance their high value-added service capabilities. More than 200 SMEs participated in the event.

As an international financial and trading centre and a leading re-export hub, Hong Kong is able to capitalise on its unique advantages to reinforce connectivity, serving as a bridge linking the mainland and global markets. It provides high-standard professional services, robust financial infrastructure and an innovative environment for international trade. The HKTDC works closely with the HKSAR Government to highlight the city’s strength in delivering high value-added services across the trade supply chain.

Speaking at the event, Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, said that with the changing trade landscape, there was no better time to reinforce Hong Kong’s competitive advantages. “Hong Kong is actively developing its digital trade ecosystem, with a focus on innovation, efficiency and international collaboration, to consolidate its competitive advantages. As digital trade becomes more common, we are committed to making sure Hong Kong businesses continue to thrive. It is also a great opportunity to reinforce our city’s role as a leading supply chain hub. The HKTDC is dedicated to helping businesses leverage innovative technologies to equip businesses to be future-ready. Our Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) examines trends in global trade and supply chains, innovation and digitalisation, while our support programmes, including Transformation Sandbox, help enterprises scale up their capabilities in key areas, including digital transformation and supply chain solutions, to empower SMEs and start-ups to benefit from digital trade.”

Pamela Mar, Managing Director of the ICC DSI, believes Hong Kong, as an international trade and logistics hub already aligned with global standards, will lead Asia’s future digital trade development by remaining competitive and resilient amid a shifting global landscape. “Finance, trade and logistics make up over 45 % of Hong Kong’s economy, so accelerating digitalisation in these sectors will have a positive economy-wide impact.”, said Pamela Mar. “Hong Kong is well-positioned to become a leader in this space by aligning global standards and building on its strength as a trusted hub. The adoption of MLETR is a vital step, providing legal certainty for electronic documents like bills of lading, while streamlining processes and enhancing traceability. But legal reform is only the beginning — even greater gains lie in the private sector stepping up its digital transformation, which can be enhanced by Web3 technologies.”

Andy Lam, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, said, “The HKSAR Government is committed to fostering an efficient business environment and maintaining the international competitiveness of Hong Kong. Facilitating the digitalisation of trade documents is part of this strategy. We anticipate that the industry would actively provide feedback and allow the Government to formulate a legal framework that is in line with the needs of the industry, on which basis the industry may propose different technical solutions. On the other hand, the Government is also pressing ahead with Phase 3 of the Trade Single Window, which will not only facilitate the industry in their submission of business-to-government trade documents such as import and export declarations, but will also connect with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)’s Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) to facilitate banks in accessing relevant data to process trade financing.”

Industry experts discuss challenges in trade digital transformation
Accelerating digital transformation across every link of the supply chain introduces unique challenges. At the Masterclass, the conference brought together specialists in digital trade finance, electronic bills of lading, digital freight and logistics, and digital retail supply chain management to share their practical experience and insights working on digital transformation.

Kenise Sin, Senior Data Analyst in the Financial Infrastructure Department at the HKMA, explained: “SMEs’ access to trade finance has long been hindered by different pain points in the process. For instance, the heavy reliance on paper-based documents has led to inefficiencies and difficulties in tracking and verifying the transactions.” She added that HKMA aims to formulate a digitalisation roadmap for sea, road and air transportation cargo data by the end of this year, integrating cargo data sources across jurisdictions with the HKMA’s CDI, to enhance data sharing. In the coming two years, the HKMA will also work with the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the Transport and Logistics Bureau as well as pilot banks to leverage cargo data and CDI to improve digital trade finance.

Erik Kwok, Head of Technology and Operations at Air8 — which develops a supply chain finance platform for cross-border trade — echoed these concerns: “Many small to medium-sized exporters struggle to secure funding due to inadequate data for credit assessments, hindering their ability to compete globally. These obstacles are compounded by insufficient support for risk management strategies, leaving SMEs vulnerable in a rapidly evolving market.”

Another guest speaker, Candy Chan, Product Manager at IQAX, outlined how digitalising bills of lading can save both time and costs, boosting the efficiency of the entire trade ecosystem. She said many banks, freight forwarders, and customs systems still operate on fragmented digital platforms and lack interoperability. Blockchain, she argued, can bridge these silos: “Each trading partner has unique operational needs when adopting blockchain networks in digital platforms. In cross-border trade, trading and shipping documents are exchanged, and digitalised documents within a blockchain network can solve trust issues within and across networks, backed by MLETR.”

Photo download: http://bit.ly/4lNB4t9

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

Johnny Tsui	Tel: (852) 2584 4395	Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.org
Winnie Kan	Tel: (852) 2584 4055	Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat	Tel: (852) 2584 4554	Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

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

IP Roundtable and International Publishing Forum held at Hong Kong Book Fair today

Strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a regional IP trading centre

The 35th HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair opened yesterday alongside the 8th HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and the 5th HKTDC World of Snacks. The three events, which have attracted more than 770 exhibitors, are running until 22 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

To reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre, the HKTDC is hosting a series of onsite sales and cultural activities during the fairs. Notably, today’s IP Roundtable and International Publishing Forum provide a platform for industry professionals from 12 countries and regions to explore market trends and exchange insights. Both events are sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attracting an audience of over 220 publishing professionals and enthusiasts and further strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a regional IP trading centre.

Organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS), the IP Roundtable ran under the theme “A Forward-Looking Copyright Framework – How to Balance Interests Between Innovation and IP Protection”, focusing on how different regions are developing forward-looking copyright frameworks in response to the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). This year’s event introduced a new business matching session that facilitated over 70 meetings to promote copyright trading and generate commercial opportunities for participants. The event opened with welcome remarks from Jenny Koo, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, followed by opening remarks from Dr Sharon Wong, Executive Director, HKRRLS, who also moderated the discussion session.

The panel discussion featured five distinguished speakers from the UAE, Belgium, Singapore, Japan and the United Kingdom, including Majd Hassan Al Shehhi, Director of The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA); Sarah Tran, Head of Regional Policy and Public Affairs of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO); Andrew Fong, CEO of the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS); Toshimichi Ishijima, Secretary General of the Japan Academic Association for Copyright Clearance (JAC); and James Bennett, Head of Rightsholder Relations of The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA).

Majd Hassan Al Shehhi, Director of ERRA, said: “The Hong Kong Book Fair brings together publishers from different places. Unlike other international book fairs that focus on B2B [business-to-business], the Hong Kong Book Fair serves as a B2C [business-to-consumer] platform. I am very happy to participate in the IP Roundtable as it provides an invaluable platform for industry professionals to gain insights into the publishing and IP sectors and explore new business opportunities.” She added that Hong Kong’s robust IP protection system and world-class professional services make the city well positioned to act as a regional IP trading centre, viewing it as a great example.

The HKTDC joined with the Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited to organise the International Publishing Forum today, running under the theme “AI and Publishing”. The event opened with remarks by Anita Wan, Convenor of the Book Fair Committee of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited. Featured speakers included Xin Guangwei, former Editor-in-Chief of People’s Publishing House; Qu Hongbin, Director and President of Guomai Culture Media Co., Ltd; and Wayne Press, Global Product Director of Oxford University Press. The Q&A session that followed, moderated by Chan Ka-yeung, Director of City University of Hong Kong Press, was lively and in-depth, exploring how the publishing industry can respond to the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.

Photo download: http://bit.ly/3TKAZKI

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Media enquiries
Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu Tel: (852) 3428 5690 Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Salina Cheng Tel: (852) 3428 2362 Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan Tel: (852) 2584 4525 Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272 Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, World of Snacks
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Stanley So Tel: (852)2584 4049 Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.org
Jane Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4137 Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

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

Valuufy partners with Mainichi Future Creation Lab, Supporting New Approaches to Business Sustainability

Alliance Delivers ‘Nanaho Yoshi’ to Transform Sustainability Data into Competitive Advantage

Valuufy, a pioneering value measurement startup, and Mainichi Future Creation Lab, the innovation hub of the Mainichi Shimbun Group, have announced a strategic partnership that turns sustainability reporting into actionable business intelligence. The collaboration combines Valuufy’s data-driven ValuuCompass™ platform with Mainichi’s trusted media platform to provide companies with new approaches to their business sustainability strategy.

The partnership builds on compelling market data: Japan hosts 56% of the world’s companies over 200 years old, organizations that have consistently outperformed competitors by managing stakeholder relationships strategically. These companies recognized that focusing only on financial indicators such as shareholder value creates vulnerabilities, while organizations that effectively manage relationships and risks across customers, employees, partners, shareholders, society, and nature achieve superior long-term performance and market resilience.

“Japan’s business longevity demonstrates that systematic stakeholder insights and management creates competitive advantages,” said Kyle Barnes, CEO of Valuufy. “Our partnership with Mainichi Future Creation Lab makes these practices measurable and actionable. ValuuCompass provides companies with the stakeholder intelligence and risk visibility needed to navigate today’s complex business environment.”

Stakeholder Intelligence Platform

ValuuCompass functions as both a transparency tool and management platform, enabling organizations to track and optimize their stakeholder ecosystem. The methodology builds on ‘sanpo yoshi’, the centuries-old principle practiced by Ohmi merchants ensuring business benefits the seller, buyer, and society. Valuufy has expanded this wisdom into ‘nanaho yoshi’ or ‘seven-way satisfaction’ for modern business complexity.

ValuuCompass reveals how stakeholder relationship health connects to business resilience. Organizations can identify specific risks such as employee turnover costs, customer defection patterns, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regulatory backlash before these issues impact operations. The platform also helps companies avoid reputation risks by identifying gaps between public sustainability communications and actual performance.

ValuuCompass has demonstrated market validation through implementations with a major Japanese financial institution and one of the “Magnificent Seven” technology leaders, providing stakeholder relationship intelligence, portfolio risk assessment, and competitive benchmarking capabilities across different markets and business cultures.

“ValuuCompass shows companies both the value they’re creating and the risks they need to manage across all stakeholder relationships,” Barnes stated. “This dual capability—value identification and risk early warning—gives organizations visibility into their business ecosystem that conventional frameworks miss.”

The ValuuCompass methodology synthesizes over 1,200 metrics from 45 global frameworks into actionable business intelligence. The partnership addresses growing corporate frustration with existing frameworks that cannot benchmark performance across competitors, industries, or regions while failing to connect stakeholder impacts to long-term business success.

“Japanese businesses have long understood that lasting success requires creating value for society alongside shareholders,” said Tamotsu Takatsuka, CEO of Mainichi Future Creation Lab. “This partnership translates that understanding into concrete metrics that today’s business leaders can implement while providing the stakeholder intelligence needed for effective risk management.”

Market Applications

The platform serves organizations facing various sustainability challenges: mature sustainability teams seeking to demonstrate measurable impact, investment firms requiring better portfolio guidance and risk assessment, and companies identifying value creation opportunities through stakeholder relationship optimization. For investors specifically, ValuuCompass provides stakeholder value assessment and risk intelligence that conventional due diligence processes cannot capture, quantifying how stakeholder relationship deterioration translates into financial impact.

The collaboration will begin with content examining case studies of Japanese companies that embody sustainable business models and feature dialogue with executives and thought leaders on the future of business sustainability and value creation. The partnership will also explore additional collaborative opportunities to advance sustainability standards and business practices in Japan and globally, while identifying opportunities for expanded strategic initiatives. Following Valuufy’s feature in Mainichi Weekly Economist in May, additional content will explore how Japan’s traditional business values connect with next-generation sustainability thinking.

Organizations wishing to learn how ValuuCompass can help them with their risk and value assessment or investment evaluations can contact learnmore@valuufy.com or visit www.valuufy.com.

About Valuufy
Founded in Kyoto and built on a decade’s research at Doshisha University’s Value Research Center, Valuufy translates stakeholder relationship management into measurable business value. The company provides stakeholder assessment, competitive benchmarking, and strategic improvement roadmaps that help organizations create value while managing risks. ValuuCompass synthesizes over 1,200 sustainability metrics from 45 global frameworks into actionable insights across seven stakeholder groups, providing data on relationship health, value potential, risk exposure, and improvement pathways.

About Mainichi Future Creation Lab
Established in 2017 as the innovation hub within the Mainichi Shimbun Group, one of Japan’s largest media groups encompassing newspapers, magazines, and digital publications with nationwide reach, Mainichi Future Creation Lab identifies and accelerates breakthrough solutions to pressing social challenges. The group’s publications include the Mainichi Shimbun daily newspaper and Weekly Economist magazine, among other media properties. The Lab invests in startups and operates acceleration programs while supporting government startup initiatives and municipal innovation projects.

Contact Information:
Valuufy Inc
news@valuufy.com

Media Inquiries:
Mainichi Future Creation Lab
mirailab@mainichi.co.jp

CleverTap Launches “Promos” The Industry-First All-In-One Rewards Management Platform

CleverTap, the all-in-one customer engagement platform, today announced the launch of Promos — an industry-first, customer rewards management platform built to redefine how brands create, manage, distribute, and optimize rewards, promotions and loyalty programs. Powered by technology from rehook.ai (now part of CleverTap), Promos offers a comprehensive, API-first solution for managing every facet of customer incentives—from coupons and loyalty points to cashback, vouchers, and gamified rewards. By replacing a system of fragmented tools, Promos empowers marketers with a seamless, scalable, and deeply integrated alternative for driving retention, repeat purchases, and maximizing customer lifetime value.

Marketers today are often forced to rely on fragmented systems—piecing together rewards and loyalty programs, CDPs, messaging platforms, and analytics—just to deliver a single, end-to-end campaign. These disconnected workflows slow teams down, lead to inconsistent data, and cause marketers to miss critical moments for engagement, resulting in delayed rewards, irrelevant offers, and loyalty programs that fail to deliver. Promos changes that. It embeds rewards management directly into CleverTap’s engagement engine, giving brands a single platform to segment users, automate campaigns, personalize, deliver real-time incentives, and measure effectiveness effortlessly.

With Promos, marketers can now launch behavior-triggered rewards in minutes, optimize campaigns on the fly, and deliver offers that feel timely, relevant, and personalized—ultimately improving ROI and deepening brand-consumer relationships.

Anand Jain, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, CleverTap, said, – “CleverTap Promos rewrites the rewards management playbook. Rather than tallying one-off redemptions, we’re forging lasting customer relationships—making every point, perk, and offer a personalized, memorable moment rooted in trust and authenticity. By uniting reward programs, engagement, and intelligence on a single platform, Promos truly propels our mission to becoming industry’s first end-to-end retention platform for modern marketers.”

Akhil Suhag, Co-founder and CEO, rehook.ai, added, – “Rewards and loyalty management shouldn’t force marketers to navigate a maze of siloed systems. Promos lets brands oversee loyalty, incentives, and engagement from one unified hub. This speeds up execution, clearing operational clutter and turning customer retention into a compounding engine for sustainable growth. I’m excited for marketers to experience its power and convenience firsthand.”

Learn more or request a live demo here.

About CleverTap

CleverTap is the leading all-in-one customer engagement platform that helps brands unlock limitless customer lifetime value. CleverTap is trusted by over 2000 brands like Decathlon, Domino’s, Levis, Jio, Emirates NBD, Puma, Croma (A Tata Enterprise), Swiggy, SonyLIV, Axis Bank, AirAsia, TD Bank, Ooredoo, and Tesco to help build personalized experiences for all their customers. The platform is powered by TesseractDB™ – the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering speed and cost efficiency at scale.

Backed by top-tier investors such as Accel, Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, CDPQ and 360 One, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, with presence across Seattle, London, São Paulo, Bogota, Mexico, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Singapore, Vietnam, and Jakarta.

For more information, visit clevertap.com or follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clevertap/
X: https://twitter.com/CleverTap

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap’s belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in the actual outcome being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release.

Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction.

For more information:

ADITYA SANYAL
Director, Digital Marketing, CleverTap
+91 9177110080
aditya.sanyal@clevertap.com

ASHMIT CHAUDHARY
Associate Consultant, Archetype
+91 8850752121
ashmit.chaudhary@archetype.co

Viva Technology 2025: Hong Kong Tech Pavilion Empowers Startups to Expand into European Market

– Impressive Results Showcase Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Strength

Viva Technology 2025 concluded successfully last Saturday with the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, effectively supporting local start-ups in entering the European market.
A series of events, including seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception and business matching, provided a robust platform for start-ups to demonstrate Hong Kong’s innovation and technology capabilities.
The participating start-ups achieved successful outcomes, including Point Fit Technology, a Hong Kong healthtech start-up, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Kinomap, a French indoor training platform.

Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2025 in Paris, Europe’s biggest start-up and tech event, concluded last Saturday. 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, set up the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion. The Pavilion promoted 20 Hong Kong start-ups to investors and buyers, and hosted seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception, inviting representatives from various enterprises and organisations to analyse trends in Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem. Business matching meetings were also arranged to help start-ups explore opportunities in the European market.

Hong Kong tech ventures were the recipients of VivaTech awards including Ailytics Limited, which developed AI-Powered Video Surveillance Systems (AI-VSS) for operations, was awarded among the Top 30 of VivaTech Innovations of the Year Award and was also selected as one of the Top 5 winners of the Startup Challenge organised by Électricité de France (EDF). Imsight Technology, OKOsix, and Vismed Training were nominated as finalists in the VivaTech Tech for Change Award, recognising their positive impact respectively in cancer diagnostics, biomaterial composition, and medical training and care. Braillic Limited, specialising in Augmented Reality (AR) guided surgical navigation systems, was nominated in the Top 12 AI Tech Trail. AQUMON and Midas Analytics, which developed AI-driven wealth management and data analysis solutions, were nominated as the Top 12 FinTech Trail.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion also achieved notable success. Point Fit Technology, a healthtech start-up signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kinomap, a French indoor training platform. Point Fit’s sweat sensor continuously monitors muscle fatigue without invasive blood tests, will integrate their sweat biomarker data into Kinomap’s platform. This will enhance indoor training experiences and expand Point Fit’s sales channels through Kinomap’s global partner network. During VivaTech, Point Fit Technology’s research attracted international interest. Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder & CEO of Point Fit Technology Limited, said: “Apart from signing an MoU with Kinomap, we also linked up with a top European football club, and secured key partners that will help us to further penetrate the European market.”

Founded in Singapore with an international office in Hong Kong, Ailytics’ AI-VSS products are used to enhance safety and maximise productivity by leveraging existing cameras. The company is in discussion with EDF and will conduct a trial run at EDF’s new power plants in France. Wei Zhuang Tan, CEO, Ailytics said: “We received enormous resources and support in Hong Kong, especially from HKTDC and HKSTP to expand into the international market. Through joining the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech, we have met customers and partners and have a deeper understanding about the requirements of French companies.”

Midas Analytics, which introduced its newly launched Asia Market Intelligence platform and AI Agent at VivaTech, drew strong interest from investors, analysts, and strategic partners. Founder Michele De Flippo said: “We have connected with a high-caliber audience that included institutional investors, corporate venture leaders, innovation executives from major banks and consulting firms, and decision-makers from government ecosystems. Through curated business matching sessions organised by the HKTDC and meeting with high-calibre audience, we identified multiple potential partners and expansion opportunities. The interest reinforced both the commercial potential of Midas Analytics and the clear demand in Europe for better visibility into fast-changing Asian markets.”

Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, attended the workshop and networking reception themed under “From Hong Kong to the World: Embarking on the New Journey of Innovation” last Friday. Highlighting that Hong Kong being an ideal gateway for global enterprises to enter the Mainland market, Professor Sun said the HKSAR Government has been actively attracting overseas and the Mainland I&T enterprises to set up or expand their businesses in Hong Kong. Companies choosing HK for the international headquarters exemplify Hong Kong’s important role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” between Mainland China and the rest of the world, serving as a two-way springboard for attracting overseas enterprises and helping Mainland enterprises to “go global”.

The subsequent discussions explored the strengths of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem, and how to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages to seize new opportunities. Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, together viAct, Sandbox VR, and Orcauboat founders, shared their success stories leveraging Hong Kong as the platform for global expansion. Chapman Lee, Director of Imsight Technology Co., Limited, highlighted the strengths of Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities and access to international investment.

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 by Startup Genome, a research institute, during VivaTech 2025, Hong Kong entered the Top 40 ranking for the first time. The ecosystem jumped 20 positions to 27th in the 2025 ranking.

The HKTDC continues to lead Hong Kong businesses in participating in major international tech exhibitions, helping local start-ups expand overseas and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation and technology hub. Following the Consumer Electronic Show 2025 in Las Vegas and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year, HKTDC once again organised the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at VivaTech in Paris, providing an effective platform for start-ups to showcase innovations, attract investment, and explore the European market.

The 9th edition of VivaTech attracted more than 14,000 start-ups, 180,000 visitors, and 3,600 investors from 171 countries and regions. Industry leaders from around the world shared unique insights, further making the event a key 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

10 winners selected at 8th edition of Start-up Express

– Multiple winners incorporated AI, highlighting the innovation within Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem

– On the Final Pitching Day of Start-up Express, 10 winners were selected, with xxx and AniTech Limited receiving the ESG Award and the My Favourite Start-up Award respectively
– More than 200 industry players attended, helping start-ups to establish connections and increase exposure, and continue to promote Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
– Majority of the 10 winners are health tech start-ups, while others represented sectors such as green tech, smart city and AI Solutions

10 start-ups were selected as winners at the eighth edition of Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) which came to a successful conclusion. The ESG Award was presented to Green Vigor Limited in recognition of the best sustainable and socially impactful business solution, and AniTech Limited won the My Favourite Start-up Award as determined through audience live polling. The 10 start-ups will participate in a series of local and overseas business events organised by HKTDC to develop their profiles through building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.

HKTDC is fully committed to supporting and promoting the development of start-ups, helping them to expand into Mainland and international markets to showcase Hong Kong’s strengths in innovation and technology.

Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC said: “Start-up Express serves as the launchpad for Hong Kong’s brightest tech innovators. As HKTDC’s flagship start-up development programme, our mission is to help local tech start-ups build capability and connections, explore new markets, seek business and funding partners, and enhance their brand awareness. I am proud to share that we have already assisted 70 Hong Kong start-ups to scale-up in Hong Kong and expand into overseas markets since we first held Start-up Express in 2018. Many of these start-ups have achieved remarkable success, earning global awards, securing significant investments, and forming key business partnerships. This demonstrates how the HKTDC platform helps bring Hong Kong start-ups into the limelight and accelerate their success.”

This year’s Start-up Express attracted more than 200 applications. The majority of the 10 winners are health tech start-ups while the rest represent green tech, smart city and AI solutions. Booths were also set up during the event enabling the Start-up Express finalists to showcase their businesses to all attendees and participants.

Comprehensive range of networking and matching initiatives provided to winning start-ups
The 10 winners were chosen from 20 contestants during the final pitching round with each presenting their innovative business ideas and answering questions raised by the distinguished judging panel. The 10 winning start-ups are: ACTuWISE Limited, Decennium Platforms Limited, AniTech Limited, Digitoe Limited, CELLmeric Limited, RT Healthtech Co. Limited, Firefilm Group Limited, Albacastor Technology Limited, Entoptica Limited and Green Vigor Limited.

Click here to download the list of winners and their company profiles.

The HKTDC will arrange a series of exposure opportunities for the winning teams to interact with potential investors, buyers and partners.

Judges praised the winners for their performance and awareness of market trends
One of the judges, Herbert Chia, Senior Advisor of Alibaba Cloud (North APAC Region), said: “We are always surprised by the new start-ups in each year’s awards. In the face of rapid AI development, many local start-ups have quickly incorporated AI into their business operations, showing that they are innovative, capable and also closely following the market trend.”

Another judge, Jimmy Tao, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council, said: “The quality of this year’s competition is high, with products and services covering different technologies, especially artificial intelligence, green tech and medical innovation. We are pleased to see the new generation of start-ups continue to break new grounds in innovation and technology, demonstrating their unlimited potential and creativity, thereby contributing to society’s advancement. Hong Kong’s start-up scene continues to grow vigorously, with a record number of 4,694 start-ups last year, demonstrating Hong Kong’s promising outlook and increasing attractiveness to do business and as an ideal to set up a start-up. We believe that this year’s winning start-ups will gain valuable opportunities to expand their markets and build networks through Start-up Express.”

Start-up Express helps start-ups secure investment and partnership opportunitiesStart-up Express provides extensive promotional opportunities for start-ups with winners able to take part in exhibitions in Mainland China and internationally, attend meetings with investors to learn more about the industry, market trends and investors’ preference.

Libpet Tech, a Start-up Express winner in 2024, has recently completed a US$3 million seed funding, and the investment will be utilized for technology upgrades and international market expansion. Jojo Xu, CEO of Libpet Tech, said: “Participating in Start-up Express has given us more exposure and enhanced our brand awareness, as seen from the increased attention from potential customers and investors. We are grateful for the investors’ confidence in our company. We will join hands with our public and private partners to integrate robotics into daily life and promote human-centric smart mobility.”

The 4th Start-up Express International returns in December with global start-ups
The HKTDC has always given its full support to Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping to maintain the city’s status as a competitive business centre and hub for innovation. Start-up Express International was launched in 2022 for overseas early-stage start-ups to share the stage with local Start-up Express winners. The past three editions have attracted participants from around the world, including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United States. The 4th Start-up Express International will return during Entrepreneur Day in December and the HKTDC will support the winners in setting up their businesses in Hong Kong and to explore the mainland and Greater Bay Area markets.

Start-up Express: https://portal.hktdc.com/start-upexpress/

Photo download: http://bit.ly/4jPwedc

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Stanley So Tel: (852) 2584 4049           Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.org
Katy Wong Tel: (852) 2584 4524           Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272           Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw Tel: (852) 2584 4472           Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

SRKay Consulting Group Releases Research Report: ‘From Legal Frameworks to Successful Operations’–A Strategic Playbook for India Market Entry

SRKay Consulting Group, a trusted global advisor in GCC setup and cross-border business strategy, has released its newest white paper titled “From Legal Frameworks to Successful Operations: A Strategic Blueprint for Entering and Thriving in the Indian Market.” Anchored in deep regulatory insight and on-ground operational expertise, the research report provides a step-by-step guide for foreign enterprises navigating India’s intricate market dynamics.

As global enterprises increasingly pivot toward India—now poised to reach a USD 5 trillion economy by 2027—the paper emphasizes the importance of aligning legal compliance, policy navigation, and cultural integration to achieve long-term operational success. With over 1,400 new foreign business entries in the past five years, India has become more than a destination—it’s a strategic necessity.

Research Insights from the Paper:

Companies with structured India entry strategies achieve operational readiness 45% faster than ad hoc setups.
Entity setup, regulatory friction, and cultural misalignment are the top three failure points during the first 12-18 months of market entry.
Localization in leadership and governance accelerates talent alignment and policy compliance by over 30%.

The paper introduces SRKay’s proprietary I.N.D.I.A.S. Playbook, a six-pillar framework guiding companies through every stage of market entry:

I – Intent: Clarifying purpose, expectations, and India’s role in the global business strategy.
N – Navigate Policy: Understanding and adapting to central/state-level laws, FDI norms, and licensing frameworks.
D– Due Diligence: Evaluating partners, regulatory risks, infrastructure gaps, and operational feasibility.
I – Infrastructure: Making informed decisions on city selection, office/plant readiness, digital ecosystem, and vendor ecosystem.
A – Activate: Streamlining the launch process across entity registration, HR setup, taxation, and stakeholder onboarding.
S – Scale: Creating long-term governance models, brand equity, and innovation readiness.

Case Examples Featured in the Report:

A European logistics player that achieved pan-India operational coverage in under 12 months through policy-aligned rollout.
A Southeast Asian technology firm that avoided multi-million dollar tax penalties through early-stage entity structuring and compliance assessments.

“Global expansion into India cannot be approached as just a legal transaction. It is a business transformation journey that requires regulatory fluency, operational agility, and cultural empathy,” said Rameez Khan, Principal Consultant, SRKay Consulting Group. “This research report is the culmination of our real-world experience supporting GCCs and enterprise market entry—and serves as a practical guide for decision-makers.”

With projections indicating over 2,000 new foreign enterprises to enter India by 2030, SRKay’s white paper urges CXOs to approach India entry as a layered strategic initiative, not just a back-office expansion.

The full report is now available for download at www.srkay.com. Enterprises exploring India as a destination for GCCs, innovation labs, or regional HQs can also consult SRKay’s expert teams via letstalk@srkay.com.

About SRKay Consulting Group

SRKay Consulting Group is a global strategic consulting firm specializing in the setup, scale, and transformation of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and foreign business operations through its proprietary Virtual Captive model. With presence across the USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and India, SRKay delivers end-to-end services including market research, legal structuring, policy navigation, location strategy, infrastructure, talent operations, and post-entry governance.

Media Contact:
Komaldeep Kaur Dhir
Marketing In Asia
Email: Komal@mianext.com

New HKTDC Chairman Frederick Ma keen to promote Hong Kong as best partner for global enterprises

– Advance connectivity, build multinational supply chain management centre and drive innovation

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)’s new Chairman Prof Frederick Ma met with media today, outlining the HKTDC’s strategic direction to help Hong Kong enterprises navigate global challenges and seize new opportunities.

Prof Ma said: “The international trade landscape is turbulent, and enterprises urgently need to reassess their development strategies. As both a springboard for the country and an international hub, Hong Kong possesses the unique advantages of internal and external connectivity and is poised to play a pivotal role in the new trade landscape.”

He pointed out that HKTDC will help Hong Kong businesses connect globally and turn challenges into opportunities. Through three strategic directions —1) reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder to highlight its international status and deepen ties with global markets, 2) building a multinational supply chain management centre, and 3) promote trade digitalisation to position Hong Kong as the best partner for global enterprises, helping SMEs to stand out in an ever-changing world.

The HKTDC will leverage its network of 51 offices globally and 49 Hong Kong business associations to support enterprises in exploring new markets and enhancing competitiveness. Prof Ma said: “Hong Kong has always been a city of opportunities. The HKTDC will stand side by side with Hong Kong businesses, seizing opportunities in an ever-changing world, integrating Hong Kong into national development and telling the good stories of Hong Kong and Mainland China.”

Five directions to forge a new chapter for Hong Kong
1.Advancing our strengths in internal and external connectivity and leveraging our global network, enhancing overseas visits and flagship promotions: Reviewing the HKTDC’s global network of 51 offices to reinforce our work in key markets and enhance Hong Kong’s international competitiveness. The HKTDC will continue organising more trade missions to tell the good stories of Hong Kong and Mainland China. A prime example is our flagship campaign Think Business, Think Hong Kong, which will be held in Milan, Italy in November.
2.Optimising existing flagship events: By incorporating industry collaboration elements into the annual Asian Financial Forum (AFF), we will transform it into AFF Plus to facilitate connections between finance and the real economy, driving innovation, regional integration and sustainable development. For trade fairs, we will strengthen content related to global trends, including elements of robotics and higher education. Additionally, we will host new events targeting key markets, like the Middle East, inviting mainland enterprises to participate, to promote trade and investment cooperation between Hong Kong and countries in the Middle East region.
3.Building an international supply chain management centre: In response to the trend of mainland industrial chains extending overseas, the HKTDC will actively position Hong Kong as a supply chain command centre to support mainland firms in going global.
4.Driving the innovation engine and promoting trade digitalisation: The HKTDC will enhance existing support services, focusing on core elements of trade digitalisation to help SMEs leverage technologies – such as IOT, AI, blockchain and big data – to boost efficiency. In the long term, the HKTDC aims to position Hong Kong as a value chain centre, utilising technology, data analytics and collaborative networks to refine value chains for global enterprises, creating added value and addressing market changes and uncertainties.
5.Explore long term demand for the convention and exhibition industry: The HKTDC will support the Hong Kong SAR Government in reviewing the needs of the convention and exhibition sector in the long term.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/440xPHs

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

Serena Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4272	Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng	Tel: (852) 2584 4357	Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat	Tel: (852) 2584 4554	Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

Naoris Protocol Expands into the Nordics with Strategic Consulting Hub in Oslo

Naoris Protocol, the global leader in decentralized trust infrastructure and post-quantum cybersecurity, proudly announces the opening of its Nordic Regional Command Center in Oslo, Norway. This new office marks a major milestone in the company’s strategic global expansion, serving as a central hub for government partnerships, digital sovereignty solutions, and the distribution of critical defense-grade technologies across the Nordic region, covering Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.

This Nordic expansion is spearheaded by Major General (ret.) Inge Kampenes, former Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces Cyber Defence and a decorated fighter pilot with deep expertise in defense strategy and cyber warfare. Kampenes brings decades of strategic military leadership to Naoris Consulting, the global consulting arm of Naoris Protocol, and will guide its engagement with Nordic governments, critical infrastructure, and public institutions.

General Kampenes is putting together a team of highly qualified partners and investors. His team will include Knut Grandhagen, former head of communications at the Norwegian Armed Forces Cyber Defence who is also the son of Kjell Grandhagen – an early backer of Naoris Protocol, 3-star General and former NATO Chairman of the Intelligence Committee. Grandhagen, a long-time believer in the Naoris vision, will head strategic communications efforts and support business strategy across the region.

“Naoris offers the kind of security innovation our region needs—sovereign, resilient, and future-ready, ” said General Inge Kampenes.

Knut Grandhagen, added: “We are building the Nordic epicenter of digital trust and cyber defense. My father believed in the revolutionary vision at the heart of Naoris since the early stages and helped shape it to what it is today. I will, in turn participate, in its success,

“The technology now being fielded by Naoris has the ability to boost national resilience and security at every level.”

The Oslo office operates under Naoris Consulting, the strategic arm of Naoris Group tasked with:

Distribution and deployment of Naoris Protocol technologies across public and private sectors;
Government contracting, compliance, and ecosystem partnerships;
Strategic education and engagement to promote decentralized cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and post-quantum preparedness;
Supporting national transformation projects in sectors including defense, telecom, energy, and finance.

“The Oslo expansion is not just geographic—it’s geopolitical,” said David Carvalho, CEO of Naoris Protocol. “With Mr. Kampenes leading this charge, Naoris is positioning itself as the trusted sovereignty layer for a more resilient Nordic digital future.”

This move aligns with Europe’s growing commitment to digital sovereignty, reinforced resilience against foreign threats, and a secure post-quantum digital landscape. With trusted Nordic leadership at the helm, the Oslo center will serve as the main regional liaison for governments and institutions in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, embedding sovereign-grade cybersecurity across the region.

Naoris Consulting Oslo is already engaging with select ministries and public sector entities across the Nordics, with further partnerships and deployments expected throughout 2025. The Group’s mission is to embed trust, transparency, and resilience into the digital fabric of the Nordic region—starting now.

About Naoris Protocol

Naoris Protocol is the world’s first Decentralized Post-Quantum Infrastructure, built to secure both Web3 and Web2 against traditional and quantum threats. Operating beneath blockchain layers 0 to 3 as a Sub-Zero Layer, it integrates with existing EVM chains, nodes, bridges, dApps, enterprise systems, and IoT devices without requiring hard forks.

Naoris Protocol combines Post-Quantum Cryptography, dPoSec Consensus, and Decentralized Swarm AI to create a self-healing security mesh that eliminates single points of failure. Since launching in January 2025, it has processed over 64 million transactions and mitigated 341 million threats. Powered by the $NAORIS token, it is the fastest-growing trust and security layer for a quantum-resilient internet.

To learn more about Naoris Protocol, visit https://www.naorisprotocol.com/

Press contact:

Guy Davies
guy@naoris.com

Anna Fedorova
anna@babslabs.io