seen on the scene
3rd US China Innovation Events Highlight the Needs for Collaboration
On May 15, 2018 the Harbin Food Industry Institute signed an agreement with the Chairman, Dr. Jim Wu and the
president of Houston International Trade Development Council (HITDC) Val Thompson to establish the platform of
Agricultural Innovation in China.
This year’s InnoSTARS competition had 135 companies pitch their technology through a rigorous process of pre
screening and judging, 35 companies from Houston have been selected to advance to the industry finals in China.
Companies who progress from the pitch competition are given the opportunity to travel to China on an all-expense
paid trip to meet with investors and build their businesses. Several of last year’s winners, such as Luka Erceg of Drylet,
LLC and Rosana Ellis of Phdsoft, were also brought back as panelists this year to talk about their journey in China.
Building up on the momentum and recognition from the past two years, this year’s summit reached a new level in
terms of overall success and influence, which has led to an abundance of high-level attendees. Prestigious investors as
well as impressive companies were amongst the attendees, as were Chinese and American government officials and
professionals.
UCIA saw the market needs for Chinese collaboration with US and used it as an opportunity to bring thought-
provoking panels and panelists to this year’s summit. Nicholas Consonery, Director of the Rhodium group, gave the
keynote speech: US-China Direct Investment Patterns and Implication for the relationship, which was followed by
a panel discussing the opportunities and challenges for US-China innovation and investment under current trade
tensions.
34 iF Magazine | July 2018