Hong Kong, 4 October 2016 – Baker & McKenzie announced today that it has become a sponsor of SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator 2.0, a programme that gives participants access to market entry resources, outstanding advice from mentors as well as joint-venture opportunities.
Baker & McKenzie was also a supporting organization of SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator 1.0, which formally concluded in April 2016 with a Demo Day at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
Gavin Raftery, Head of Global Acquisition Finance and a member of the Asia Pacific Banking & Finance Steering Committee, said: “Baker & McKenzie focuses on how digital disruption impacts different industries. With investment and interest in fintech on the rise, it presents both opportunities and challenges to financial institutions. While there are new areas, such as big data, cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence and blockchain, many challenges are familiar. With our strong on-the-ground Financial Services and sector capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to help both local and international companies navigate the legal and regulatory fintech landscape.”
Andrew Lockhart, a partner of the Finance and Projects Practice Group in Hong Kong/China, commented: “Baker & McKenzie is proud to support and partner with the SuperCharger Accelerator programme again this year and we look forward to sharing knowledge as well as exploring collaboration with its participants. We are excited about the opportunity to assist fintech start-ups and help them with their innovation process together with other talented mentors.”
Baker & McKenzie sector specialists Karen Man and Frank Meier (financial services regulatory) and Paolo Sbuttoni (technology, communications & data privacy) joined Andrew to mentor and share knowledge with the participants of SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator 1.0 throughout the programme. Alumnus of SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator 1.0, Eko India Financial Services’s Co-Founder, Abhinav Sinha said, “The experience was great for our business. We want new investment to help us grow and through this, we got to meet and pitch to investors from Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asia. Also, with a mix of early-stage start-ups and more established companies together in one place, it gave us a chance to explore new ways of working together.”
Applications for SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator 2.0, which starts on 9 January 2017, are now open and being accepted until 20 October 2016. FinTech startup and scaleup companies may apply online via www.fintechsupercharger.com. Throughout September and October 2016, roadshows have been conducted in a number of key cities in Europe and Asia including London, Paris, Geneva, Singapore, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Jakarta. Baker & McKenzie also participated in the roadshow as one of the Accelerator sponsors.
In addition to Baker & McKenzie’s sponsorship, this year’s SuperCharger FinTech Accelerator 2.0 is also supported by Standard Chartered Bank and Fidelity International as the Main Partners in the programme; Cyberport, as the venue partner providing the FinTech companies the newly opened Cyberport Smart-Space FinTech Centre as their co-working space; as well as other supporting organizations such as Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, Arbor Ventures, General Assembly, AWS, FinnovAsia, e27 and Crowdfund Insider, among many others.
About SuperCharger
Leveraging on Hong Kong’s traditional strength as Asia’s finance and technology gateway, SuperCharger is a 12-week FinTech Accelerator Programme backed by Standard Chartered Bank, Fidelity International and Cyberport, among others. In its first batch, SuperCharger 1.0 received over 160 applications from more than 25 countries globally and selected 8 Fintechs. The selected companies had raised between US$ 200,000 and 150 million and ranged from early-stage to late-stage growth FinTech companies. Throughout the programme, SuperCharger’s 2000 sq. ft. co-working office was enriched by the participation and mentorship of more than 150 individuals, including VCs, mentors, government officials, journalists and the next generation of young entrepreneurs.
SuperCharger’s finalists and alumni are shaping the future of finance in Hong Kong and beyond. If you have any questions or comments, please reach us at hello@fintechsupercharger.com.
