First-day Highlights! The 2023 Frost & Sullivan New Investment Conference grandly opened

David Frigstad, Chairman of Frost & Sullivan's Global Board of Directors, stated that for companies to dominate the market, they must combine their corporate strategy with technological elements, and the speed of implementation is very important. Only by being faster and better than competitors can a company become the first to enter a market. The purpose of Frost & Sullivan's establishment was to identify growth opportunities before media penetration or discovery by investment institutions. Today, we use new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and natural language processing to discover growth opportunities faster and earlier, which will maximize the future growth potential of customers.

David Frigstad, Chairman of Frost & Sullivan's Global Board of Directors

Aroop Zutshi, President of Frost & Sullivan Global, pointed out that the world is undergoing subversion and transformation. Rules are evolving rapidly, new business models are replacing traditional ones, which is not only a challenge but also brings many opportunities. Frost & Sullivan's corporate mission is to make the world a better place through growth. He stated that seeking corporate development in uncertainty is not only the key to survival but also to vigorous development.

Aroop Zutshi, President of Frost & Sullivan Global

Dr. Wang Xin, Global Partner at Frost & Sullivan and Chairman of the Greater China Region, as well as Founder and Chairman of LeadLeo, stated that over the 25 years of deeply serving the Chinese market, Frost & Sullivan has continuously helped tens of thousands of Chinese enterprises enter international capital markets and assisted domestic and foreign investment and financing institutions in understanding and investing in Chinese enterprises. As a 'bridge', Frost & Sullivan is optimistic about China and the future, especially about the development prospects of Chinese enterprises; it has been tracking high-growth and emerging sectors for a long time, discerning the trends in technology and industrial development, and actively demonstrating to the world the vitality of Chinese enterprises, the potential of industries, the resilience of the economy, as well as the beautiful vision of Chinese modernization.

Dr. Wang Xin, Global Partner and Chairman of Frost & Sullivan's Greater China Region, Founder and Chairman of LeadLeo

Yan Jianjun, Executive President of the Shanghai New Businessmen's Federation and Chairman of Zhida Holdings Group Co., Ltd., stated that in recent years, China's economy has entered an era of competition between existing assets and intelligence. The development strategies of enterprises, company brands, product quality, management operations, and more require in-depth exploration for development space. As a result, consulting services have become increasingly important. The New Businessmen's Federation hopes to join hands with Frost & Sullivan to build a resource platform, forming a powerful alliance to open a new chapter in global industrial ecosystem cooperation, and jointly contribute Chinese wisdom and Shanghai's strength to promoting global economic recovery, prosperity, and sustainable development.

Executive President of Shanghai New Hushang Federation, Chairman of Zhida Holdings Group Co., Ltd. Yan Jianjun

Zhao Yan, Chairman and General Manager of Huaxi Biotech, stated that Frost & Sullivan has been working closely with Huaxi Biotech in recent years and are strategic partners for mutual growth. She affirmed that Frost & Sullivan has provided professional and valuable services on Huaxi Biotech's journey to becoming a benchmark leader in the industry, playing a significant role in empowering the enterprise. She sincerely wishes Frost & Sullivan continued excellence and greater influence in the Chinese market. At the same time, Zhao Yan expressed her expectation to continue working with Frost & Sullivan to explore more sustainable growth opportunities through joint efforts.

Zhao Yan, Chairman and General Manager of Huaxi Biology

Dr. Liu Jun, Chairman of Rilian Technology, proposed that developing 'specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative' small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can promote SMEs to apply new technologies for the vigorous development of specialized production, actively integrate into the technology, products and cooperative supporting systems of large enterprises. Frost & Sullivan has done a lot of detailed work in assisting enterprises with listing and financing in the 'specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative' field. Especially on Rilian Technology's journey to becoming a benchmark leading enterprise in the industry, Frost & Sullivan provided professional and valuable services, playing a significant role in empowering enterprises. Rilian Technology expects to further cooperate with Frost & Sullivan in the future to promote innovation and growth, adding more strength to China's intelligent manufacturing.

Dr. Liu Jun, Chairman of Rilian Technology

Wang Changliang, a global director at Dacheng Law Firm, vice-chairman of the China regional board and director of the Shanghai office, stated that Dacheng has always adhered to the concept of professional legal services. It continuously strives to provide high-standard professional support to clients through cross-disciplinary exchanges and collisions. Dacheng is willing to create broad cooperation spaces with all parties. It is believed that the holding of this new Frost & Sullivan investment conference is a great opportunity. We sincerely hope to deepen our understanding, promote cooperation, achieve common growth, especially accelerated growth.

Wang Changliang, Global Director of Dacheng Law Firm, Vice Chairman of the China Regional Board and Director of Shanghai Office

In addition, Academician Deng Zixin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, honorary dean of the School of Life Science and Technology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and director of the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, sent blessings to the conference via video. Academician Deng Zixin stated that the pharmaceutical industry is a strategic industry related to national economy and people's livelihood, economic development, and national security. It is an important foundation for building a Healthy China. Moreover, investment and financing are crucial for the development of the pharmaceutical industry. He hopes that this conference can contribute more wisdom and strength to scientific and technological innovation and industrial development in the field of life sciences.

Academician Deng Zixin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, honorary dean of the School of Life Science and Technology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and director of the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism

At the opening ceremony, the appointment ceremony of the Frost & Sullivan Expert Committee on 'Specialized, Distinctive and Innovative Enterprises' was held in grand style. Frost & Sullivan has long tracked and conducted in-depth research on the 'specialized, distinctive and innovative' track, publishing cutting-edge observations. The establishment of this expert committee aims to gather authoritative institutions from industry, academia, research and capital, as well as cutting-edge scientific and technological innovation forces, to focus on supporting the innovation and creation of small and medium-sized enterprises, the high-quality development of industries, and Chinese-style modernization. The committee will jointly explore and promote new paths and models for strategic transformation and innovative development through the co-construction of 'pan-domain investment management', leveraging their respective resource advantages to provide all-round empowerment to 'specialized, distinctive and innovative' small and medium-sized enterprises.

Dr. Aroop Zutshi, President of Frost & Sullivan Global, along with Dr. Wang Xin, Partner at Frost & Sullivan and Chairman of the Greater China Region, Bi Shunjie, Executive Member of the Frost & Sullivan Growth Strategy Expert Committee and Partner in Charge of Business for Greater China at EY, Wang Changliang, Executive Member of the Frost & Sullivan & LeadLeo Science and Technology Innovation Expert Committee, Global Director of Dacheng Law Offices, Vice Chairman of the China Board of Directors and Director of the Shanghai Office, jointly presented appointment certificates to the members of the expert committee.

Entrepreneurial Representative

Zhao Yan, Chairman and General Manager of Huaxi Biology

Dr. Liu Jun, Chairman of Rilian Technology

Hong Yingli, Chief Technology Advisor and Co-founder of Singaporean MVGX Trading Group

Chairman of Fudan Fuhua & Co., Ltd. Chu Jianping

Representatives of investment institutions

Wang Tingfu, Chairman and Founding Partner of Xingfu Capital

Deputy Director of Suzhou Industrial Park Enterprise Development Service Center, He Jia

Chairman and General Manager of Suzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. Zhang Feng

Representatives from academic and research institutions

Executive Deputy Dean of Jiangsu Zhongke Intelligent Science and Technology Application Research Institute & Ma Xing

Yang Guohua, Vice President of Shanghai Computer Association and Deputy Chief Engineer of Shanghai Computing Technology Research Institute

Representatives of professional institutions

Tang Zhehui, a member of the First Listing Committee for Sci-Tech Innovation Board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, a member of the Merger and Acquisition and Restructuring Committee, the Associate Partner in charge of audit services in Central China at EY, and the Audit Partner in charge of the EY Technology and Hardware Industry Center

Partner of Beijing Jingtian Gongcheng Law Firm & Fu Siqi

Dr. Lv Mengyu, Capital Markets Partner at Kiley International Law Firm

Dr. Gao Wenzhong, Executive President of China Enterprise Valuation & Consulting Group

*Rankings are not in any particular order.

In September 2022, the first New Investment Expo was successfully held at the Shanghai International Convention Center. The two-day expo featured nearly a hundred high-quality enterprises, presenting hundreds of roadshows for nearly a hundred investors and attracting the high attention of nearly a thousand professional visitors. In 2023, the second New Investment Expo arrived as scheduled.

At the event site, Aroop Zutshi, Global President of Frost & Sullivan, Yan Jianjun, Executive President of the Shanghai New Businessmen's Federation and Chairman of Zhida Holdings Group Co., Ltd., Yang Guoping, Chairman, General Manager and Board Chairman of Shanghai Volkswagen Public Utilities (Group) Co., Ltd., Zhao Yan, Chairman and General Manager of Huaxi Biotech, Dr. Liu Jun, Chairman of Rilian Technology, Xu Hui, CEO of Innovent Smart, Dr. Wang Xin, Global Partner and Chairman of Greater China at Frost & Sullivan, Founder and Chairman of LeadLeo, Wang Chenhui, Managing Partner and Executive Vice President of Greater China at Frost & Sullivan and Co-founder and President of LeadLeo, Wang Changliang, Global Director at Dacheng Law Offices, Vice Chairman of the China Board and Director of the Shanghai Branch, Bi Shunjie, Business Partner at EY Greater China, Jan Erik Kristiansen, Global Growth Consulting Partner at Frost & Sullivan, Tiran Rothman, President of Frost & Sullivan Israel, Cecilia Chang, Partner at Frost & Sullivan, Mark Dougan, Managing Director of Frost & Sullivan, all took to the stage together to light up the big screen, marking the official opening of the New Investment Expo.

In recent years, technologies such as big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence have accelerated innovation. The processes of digitization, intelligence, and greening are accelerating continuously. New technologies, new industries, new business forms, and new models are emerging in an endless stream, driving the entire industry, including the service sector, to accelerate digital transformation.

Five years ago, Frost & Sullivan established the Group's innovation platform ——LeadLeo Technology, specializing in exploring the digital transformation paths and extensions of industry research. It pioneered an open-source, multi-party collaborative, scalable intelligent research tool ——“BrainPower”. Wang Chenhui, Managing Partner and Executive Vice President of Frost & Sullivan Greater China, and co-founder and President of LeadLeo, further introduced the Group's digital solutions to the attendees at the opening ceremony. Wang Chenhui stated that “digital research” can help researchers timely document and trace digital resources during the research process, condense them into digital assets, and then leverage the platform's liquidity to unleash new, sustainable commercial, industrial, and social value.

Wang Chenhui, Managing Partner and Executive Vice President of Frost & Sullivan Greater China, Co-founder and President of LeadLeo

At the meeting, Lu Jing, Partner and Managing Director of Frost & Sullivan Greater China, released the '2023 China's Specialized, Sophisticated and Innovative Enterprises Development White Paper'. This white paper interprets the development background and current situation of specialized, sophisticated and innovative enterprises in China from an industry perspective. Lu Jing stated that specialization, sophistication and innovation are not only the direction for the transformation and upgrading of China's manufacturing industry but also the winning strategy for Chinese enterprises to gain a foothold in fierce international competition. As the leader of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) group, 'specialized, sophisticated and innovative' SMEs provide solid support for enhancing the core competitiveness of China's manufacturing industry and play an important role in improving the stability and security of the industrial chain and supply chain, as well as promoting economic and social development. The '2023 China's Specialized, Sophisticated and Innovative Enterprises Development White Paper' focuses on popular tracks, pays attention to the cultivation of specialized, sophisticated and innovative enterprises in vertical industries, studies the competitiveness of 'little giant' enterprises and their important role in promoting industrial breakthroughs and solving 'bottleneck' problems, and thereby provides insights into the future development direction of China's industries.

Lu Jing, Partner and Managing Director of Frost & Sullivan Greater China

Meanwhile, Frost & Sullivan China continues to track and research a large number of successful entrepreneurial and investment and financing cases in high-tech industries and strategic emerging industries within 2023. It conducts objective and in-depth analysis to comprehensively evaluate the innovation capabilities, business models, founding teams, technical capabilities, and development prospects of the participating enterprises. Together with a professional review committee, it has selected “Leading Enterprises in the Field of Specialized, Refined, Specialized and Innovative Industries (SRI) for 2023”, “Most Promising Enterprises in the Field of SRI for 2023”, “Best Investment Institutions in the Field of SRI for 2023”, and “Most Growth-Potential Investment Institutions in the Field of SRI for 2023&rd&hell; based on their potential. At the opening ceremony, Lu Jing announced the list results.

Subsequently, Zhuo Fumin, founder and chairman of SourceStar Capital, delivered a keynote speech on 'Investment Insights into Specialized, Expertized, and Innovative Enterprises'. He shared three viewpoints: First, observe the macro trends clearly while executing at the micro level; second, remain true to principles while being innovative; third, start with caution and end with respect, ensuring steady progress and long-term goals.

Zhuo Fumin, Founder and Chairman of SourceStar Capital

Yan Keya, President of Shanghai Gujiu Co., Ltd., expressed his insights and views on 'New Sauce Aroma, New Pattern' in his keynote speech titled 'Innovation Continues, Shanghai Gujiu Defines the Future with the Present', and introduced in detail Shanghai Gujiu's differentiated strategy. He stated that 'The awakened Chinese sauce aroma is reshaping the 300 billion market! As a wine industry group that integrates classics and innovation, Shanghai Gujiu focuses on the sauce wine segment. Through innovation and exploration in strategic concepts, four modernizations of talent, AI digitalization, marketing methods, ESG sustainability, etc., it empowers brand value upgrades in multiple dimensions, making Shanghai Gujiu's image of 'young, fashionable, innovative, and international' deeply rooted in people's hearts.'

President of Shanghai Gujiu Co., Ltd. Yan Keya

The seven sub-forums of this conference started from two major markets and five industries, deeply interpreting the current development status of industries and new trends in investment and financing. On the first day of the conference, the New Investment Summit on Life Sciences, the New Consumption and Food & Beverage Industry Investment Summit, the Digital Economy Sub-forum, and the New Investment Sub-forum took the lead in kicking off their sessions.

In 2023, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's 18A segment celebrated its fifth year of listing, and the fifth set of standards for the Sci-Tech Innovation Board entered its fourth year. A total of 85 biotech companies have successfully gone public through this listing channel, driving the entire life sciences sector into high gear. After experiencing a boom and pursuit, as well as a cold winter and rationality, life science companies have never stopped innovating and breaking through. They continuously inject development momentum through technological innovation and bridge gaps through business model innovation. After experiencing dark moments, they can still be seen standing at new starting points and forging ahead with determination.

Frost & Sullivan has been tracking and conducting in-depth research on the 'Life Sciences' track for a long time. It has established a Life Sciences Expert Committee, bringing together more than 10 senior professionals with industry influence, including representatives from authoritative academic and research institutions in the field of life sciences, outstanding listed company entrepreneurs, investment institutions, and professional organizations. The committee focuses on helping to promote the high-quality development of the life sciences industry, innovation and creativity, jointly exploring and promoting new paths and models for industry innovation and development, and working together to provide all-round empowerment for the development of the life sciences industry.

The appointment ceremony for the Frost & Sullivan Life Science Experts Committee was successfully held at this forum. Dr. Wang Xin, Global Partner and Chairman of the Greater China Region at Frost & Sullivan, and Greg Caressi, Partner and Global Head of Client Relationships and Senior Vice President at Frost & Sullivan, presented appointment certificates to the expert committee members and took a group photo.

Academician Zhang Dan, an academician of the Russian Academy of Engineering and co-founder of Jiangsu Puxin Biotechnology

Li Jizong, Director of Shanghai Biomedical Science and Technology Development Center

Fu Daxu, President and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai Biotechnology Institute, and President of Shanghai Biomedical Association

Dr. He Ruyi, Chief Medical Officer of Rongchang Biotech and Chief Scientist of SDIC Innovation Healthcare

Professor Zheng Xiaonan, Executive Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Biomedical Industry Chain Innovation and Transformation Alliance, and Chairman of Nanjing Biomedical Industry Innovation and Transformation Center

Geng Ke, Managing Partner at Meimes Law Offices

Fiona, Co-Head of Life Sciences and Healthcare at EY Greater China

Deng Jianmin, Senior Vice President of Global Business and General Manager of Greater China at BD Medical

Deng Yuxin, Vice President and Head of Market Access at AbbVie

Li Bin, Deputy Director of Scientific Research and Second-level Researcher at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Distinguished Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Sun Xiaolu, Managing Partner at Binjiang Star Venture Capital

Liu Xiaolan, Co-Head of the Healthcare Investment Banking Group and Managing Director of CITIC Securities

*Rankings are not in any particular order.

Meanwhile, the 2023 China Biopharmaceutical Industry Chain Innovation Windforce List & Influential Medical Venture Capital Institutions Awards Ceremony was also held at this forum.

The New Investment Summit Forum on Life Sciences for Today will continue with exciting content. Stay tuned!

The catering industry has gone through a decade of golden development and three years of trials due to the pandemic. Today, with a market exceeding 4 trillion yuan, its growth rate is ten times that of before. In 2023, market iteration, traffic upgrading, accelerated digitalization of enterprises, restart of overseas markets, sinking of business models, and reshaping of mid-to-high-end catering have brought about earth-shaking changes to the underlying logic of the industry, putting it on a fast track for development.

In the era of the digital economy, digital technology has become a core topic that attracts significant attention in capital markets. At the same time, the rise of the digital economy has also provided AI with rich data resources, driving the upgrading and iteration of AI technology. This deep integration will bring more opportunities to the global digital economy and further promote the high-quality development of the digital economy.

The Frost & Sullivan Summit has been held globally for over 30 years and has been successfully organized in China for 17 sessions. Since last year, Frost & Sullivan has set 'New Investment' as the theme of the conference, proposing and focusing on 'All-Region Investment Management'. After a year of effort, 'New Investment' has received a strong response from all sectors of society, attracting a large number of partners to build an ecosystem together.

Meanwhile, Li Zheng, Dean of LeadLeo Shenzhen Research Institute, released the '2023 China PE/VC Fund Industry CFO White Paper' at the conference and unveiled the 2023 China PE/VC Institutions CFO List. Frost & Sullivan, in collaboration with LeadLeo, surveyed over 130 current CFOs from mainstream Chinese PE/VC institutions, compiled statistics on the development status of 'fund raising, investment, management, and exit' of funds within their investment institutions, and sorted out the views and insights of each CFO on current trends in digital transformation and business internationalization.