The iAccelerate Innovation Network is a group of curated partners looking to enhance international collaboration with the aim to promote and support global businesses with local impact.

Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) is a collaborative Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) platform at Lingnan University in Hong Kong which was established to empower entrepreneurs, innovators, and inventors to take action for inclusive growth. Lingnan University is a liberal arts university in Hong Kong.

The reciprocal program referral arrangement between Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) and iAccelerate will include warm introductions to help entrepreneurs access new markets, expertise, and capital. Along with the opportunity for the exploration of further collaboration opportunities.

“iAccelerate is committed to ensuring global pathways for entrepreneurs are in place to facilitate collaboration, investment and market entry.  We are thrilled LEI is joining the iAccelerate Innovation Network, joining together with entrepreneurs in Wollongong, Hong Kong and throughout our expanding network” said Omar Khalifa, CEO iAccelerate.

 

“With the challenges COVID-19 has brought to traditional approaches, networks have never been more important for the success of entrepreneurs” he added.

Collaboration between partners in the network includes bi-monthly calls from around the world to share case studies, best practices, and overcome challenges. Partners can choose to engage in further collaboration with each other at their discretion.

“The innovation community at Lingnan University is particularly active in developing humanitarian technology and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship. We believe iAccelerate’s vibrant global network coupled with Lingnan University’s liberal arts entrepreneurship programmes would bring out the best of the exciting ecosystems at both universities,” a spokesperson from LEI said.

As part of the arrangement, LEI will also nominate startups to take part in the upcoming seven-week iAccelerate Activate virtual program. This the first time the program has opened up internationally.  

This expansion of the iAccelerate Innovation Network builds on the national and global partnerships iAccelerate has established over the past twelve months.

The Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) at Lingnan University in Hong Kong marks the eighth international member to join the iAccelerate Innovation Network, after MIT Enterprise Forum CEE in Warsaw, Global Venture Alliance in Moscow and San Francisco, Startup Lisboa in Portugal, Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support in Vietnam, Hatch in Sri Lanka, the National Science and Technology Park in Pakistan, and the University of East London’s Knowledge Dock Business Centre in the UK.

Alongside Australian members: Bega Valley Innovation Hub in Bega, Collab Highlands / The Mill in Bowral, Upstairs in Bathurst, Grounded Space in Parramatta and Desert Knowledge Australia in Alice Springs.

Media contact: Chris Petersilge, [email protected]