The first major panel discussion connects some of the biggest names in the tech investment world. Speakers who are hands-on in the latest tech and tech-investment trends will talk about their most important observations, express their views, and share insights on what’s coming in tomorrow’s tech-world.

Moderated by Rebecca Fannin, Founder of Silicon Dragon Ventures and author of the much acclaimed book, Tech Titans of China, the panel discussion Recalibrating China-US Venture Orientation will reveal her perceptive personal views on how the escalating China-US trade conflict, and the "tech cold war," could affect her audience’s businesses.

The expert on China's fast-changing tech sector will use her celebrated expertise and understanding of the subject to guide a panel of insiders through the virtual meeting. Fannin observed that the China-US political and economic tensions are making it difficult for Chinese tech companies to move ahead in the US. Her current advice for start-ups: conserve resources and wait to fight another day.

Edith Yeung, General Partner at Race Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, echoes Fannin’s views concerning the challenges to fund raising in China, for US-based ventures. 

The recent TikTok/WeChat ban offered Chinese founders not the best of comfort or assurance, she notes, adding: "With the current China-US tension, for the next few years, I don't think we will see as many ideas originating from China, that they will want to expand in the US."

Yeung is a part of the Research Community of the South China Morning Post, and the creator of the annual China Internet Report on China technology trends, which is widely read by investors and corporate executives. She has personally invested in over 50 start-ups. 

For Chinese investors who wish to put money into US start-ups, the investor's recommendation seems less encouraging still as American start-ups will be required to report to CFISU, a US government agency which reviews and investigates transactions for national security in the country. This process often takes months or longer. 

Fortunately, however, Yeung says: "The investors are going to see a rapid rise of deep tech (such as machine learning) companies coming out of China, so there will be ample opportunities to invest [in China itself]."

Yeung will be joined in the discussion by other thought-leaders: Dr Jeffrey Chi, Founding Partner and Vice Chairman of Vickers Venture Partners; Dr Sue Xu, Managing Partner of Amino Capital; and Sammy Cheung, Founder, President and CEO of Efinix Inc.

Race Capital focuses on investing in companies in the enterprise and software infrastructure space, focusing on the US market. Yeung, however, also sees increasing opportunities in Southeast Asia. She expects to see more and more Chinese founders prioritising on Southeast Asia. 

On that note, the audience will have every reason to look forward to the day’s next enlightening panel discussion. Titled The Asia Opportunity: the World's New Growth Powerhouse? This discussion brings together investors who are based in the region, and have flourished along with the region's development. The panellists comprise Jeffrey Paine, Founding Partner, Golden Gate Ventures; Soo Boon Koh, Founder and Managing Partner, iGlobal Partners; Karim Hirji, SVP and Managing Director, Intact Ventures; and Alan Fung, Partner, Asia GreenTech Fund.

In the eye of many shrewd venture capitalists, Southeast Asia is a land full of promise. Paine notes: "Southeast Asia in 2012 to 2014 looks like China in 2003 and India in 2006," when that bloc of countries, with a total population of around 670 million—twice that of the US, started its  first phase of sustained growth. 

The bloc’s growth rate, partly fuelled by the widespread digital adoption from consumers—as was previously experienced in China, is expected to continue well beyond the current Covid-19 problem. This thanks to the fact that many Southeast Asian countries have dealt with Covid-19 far better than most of their Western counterparts. 

Paine has first-hand information, he says: "To be honest, both consumer and business digital adoption is accelerated because of Covid-19. [And now] we will see top companies in Southeast Asia grow faster than projected." Golden Gate Ventures has already invested in start-ups which will likely prove extremely successful across industries in the region, including education, logistics, e-commerce, FinTech, entertainment and media.

The two-day online conference comprises the main forum on Tuesday, November 3, plus a start-up workshop series on Wednesday. Altogether there will be over 20 topics, ranging from digital asset, corporate venturing, venture debt, EdTech investment to start-up transformation and many more.