StartCPLP and Startupbootcamp Delegation Strengthens Transcontinental Innovation Ties Across Greater Bay Area, Europe, and Portuguese-Speaking Countries
StartCPLP and Startupbootcamp Delegation Strengthens Transcontinental Innovation Ties Across Greater Bay Area, Europe, and Portuguese-Speaking Countries
05
May
05/05/2025
This landmark visit, organised under the StartCPLP program, aimed to foster collaboration between Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP), the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and European innovation hubs, with a focus on technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and startup ecosystem development.
From 28 to 30 April 2025, a delegation led by Professor Alexandre Lobo, Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), along with Mr. Higor Esteves, Vice-President of CE-CPLP (Portuguese-Speaking Countries Business Community), and Mr. Simão Calado, Partner at Startupbootcamp, undertook a strategic tour of Macau, Hengqin, and Hong Kong. This visit, part of the StartCPLP programme, aimed to enhance collaboration between Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP), the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and European innovation hubs, with a focus on technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and the development of startup ecosystems.
Macau: A Gateway for Innovation
The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Andy Ng, Director of the Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Centre (MYEIC), and Ms. Samantha Tang from the Economic and Technology Development Bureau (DSEDT) of the Macau SAR Government. Discussions focused on MYEIC’s initiatives to support Sino-Lusophone startup collaboration, including pitch competitions and funding opportunities.
Ms. Catia Li, Head of Dai Heng Qin Industrial Development Investment (DHQ Industrial Investment), introduced the Sino-Lusophone Technology Fund, a pivotal resource for startups and tech companies bridging Macau, Hengqin, and CPLP markets.
Bridging Ecosystems: Hengqin as a Technology Platform
After exploring the ecosystem in Macao, the delegation was jointly led by Ms. Carmen Wu, Chief Executive Officer Assistant of Quinta de Marmeleira and Representative of the Confederation of Enterprises of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries in China (China Representative of CE CPLP) and Mr. David Cheang, CEO of AHA HK & Macao Youth Incubation Centre to explore the Guangdong – Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (Hengqin) for their visit to the Economic Development Bureau of the Guangdong – Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The delegation was received by Director of the bureau, Mr. Wu Chuangwei and Deputy Director, Mr. Zhang Ge. Director Wu highlighted Hengqin’s role as a strategic nexus for Sino-Luso business and technology exchange, leveraging Macao’s unique position as a gateway between China and Portuguese-speaking markets and emphasized that the economic bureau will explore its policies to serve the international community and the diversification of Macao’s economy through the Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
“Hengqin is committed to high-quality development, fostering an open and inclusive ecosystem to transform Macau into a thriving international metropolis,” said Director Wu.
The delegation also visited the USJ Sino-Lusophone Business Development Center and the AHA HK & Macao Youth Incubation Centre, exploring synergies for startup soft-landing programs between Macau, Hengqin, and beyond.
Hong Kong: Leveraging Regional Tech and Financial Infrastructure
The final leg of the tour took the delegation to Alibaba Group’s Hong Kong office, where Mr. Gallen Leung, Ecosystem Lead for Alibaba Cloud (North Asia Pacific & Southeast Asia), highlighted the company’s role as a global tech enabler. Mr. Leung emphazied that Alibaba Cloud is the integrative platform for all service deployment of all other platform services at Alibaba.
“Alibaba Cloud serves as the backbone for startups, offering cross-border e-commerce solutions, AI development tools, and scalable infrastructure. Startups from the StartCPLP network will gain unparalleled access to these resources, accelerating their growth in the GBA and globally,” noted Mr. Leung.
From taobao cross-border e-commerce to the AI based development for AI Agent and other services, Alibaba Cloud is at the center of the solution. Startups coming from the University of Saint Joseph and StartCPLP system through Macao will be able to enjoy from the support of the Alibaba Cloud infrastructure for creative startup ideas and services of the future. Connecting the Portuguese-Speaking Countries to the GBA via Macao and Hong Kong.
The delegation underscored the potential of Macau and Hengqin as a dual-core innovation platform, connecting Europe (via Portugal), Latin America (via Brazil), and the GBA.
Mr. Breno Silva, Global Partner at Startupbootcamp, shared:
“Our proven methodologies in scaling startups—particularly in green tech, AI, and inclusive growth—will empower Macau’s ecosystem, mirroring the success of Startupbootcamp Singapore, Asia’s leading accelerator. Through StartCPLP, we aim to create a transcontinental pipeline for startups, anchored in Macau’s unique cultural and economic position.”
The GBA tour of the StartCPLP and Startupbootcamp is a promising milestone from the initial cooperation signed last year during the USJ GBA Forum for Economic Diversification between University of Saint Joseph and The Confederation of Enterprises of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. Future startup programmes are already in the pipeline which promises to link the Transcontinental ecosystems.
