CASVI Mobilized Resources and Empowered Young Entrepreneurs at Youth Innovation Acceleration Camp

Shenzhen, December 21st, 2021 - A Youth Innovation Acceleration Camp was concluded today in Shenzhen, bringing together 20 youth-led startups for a three-day learning and incubation experience, empowering young entrepreneurs in China in their pursuit of innovative tech-based solutions for development challenges.

The camp was hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China in partnership with OPPO, with strategic support from the China Alliance of Social Value Investment (CASVI). The camp is comprised of 32 representatives from 20 promising start-ups representing the diverse composition of today's young entrepreneurial scene in China. Among them, women, youth with disability, and ethnic minorities accounting for 28%, 6% & 6% of participants respectively.

UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Beate Trankmann, delivered a themed speech

“Entrepreneurial spirit is an essential component in advancing our shared ambition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and we will continue to support the most creative, intelligent and daring youth of today in this mission, ” said Beate Trankmann, UNDP Resident Representative in China.

The selected startups received training sessions on climate action, digital inclusion, and public health issues from top cross-sectoral experts including the private sector, impact funds, civil societies, startup incubators and the academia. These mentors also provided training and coaching on business analysis, marketing, impact investing, and design thinking.

                        Xing'an GE, giving advice at the Start-up Fair                                                                                                Hui ZHANG, giving a lecture to students

A Demo day was also held on the final day of the camp where selected startups showcased their innovative business models and ideas to an audience of investors and executives from startup accelerators.

BlueWind and Orcauboat won the “Most Promising Startup Award"

Two social enterprises were awarded the Most Promising Startup Award. Orcauboat uses autonomous robotics operations to clean floating garbage and its intelligent maintenance and management solutions for urban waterways is both more efficient and reduces costs by 60%. Bluewind provides technical solutions for high carbon emission enterprises through self-developed carbon capture technology.

“It’s been truly inspirational to learn of the innovative solutions these talented young startup founders have designed to help meet some of the world’s most urgent and pressing challenges,” added Trankmann.

Executive Chairman of CASVI, Weihua MA delivered a themed speech on impact investment

During the camp, CASVI and UNDP also launched the National Springboard Programme - UNDP’s new startup support platform for young SDG innovators. The programme will run incubation courses consisting of twelve modules that are designed and localized to guide start-ups in China on how to run social enterprises.

Weihua Ma, Chairman of CASVI, called on the investors and industrial partners present to jointly promote impact investment and support enterprises to stay on a sustainable path. “Promoting sustainable development has become the greatest social responsibility of enterprises,” he said.

OPPO Associate Vice Presiden, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Sonia MIAO, delivered a themed speech

“Following our mission of Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World, OPPO will continue to prioritize issues like Environmental Protection, Youth Empowerment, Digital Inclusion and Public Health to better achieve the SDGs”, said Sonia Miao, OPPO Associate Vice President, Head of Strategy and Business Development.

For the past five years, CASVI has been strengthening the platform of expert networks through the annual youth start-ups mentorship program, monthly ESG investment forums, and research on A-shared listed companies. In preparation for the following year’s Youth Innovation Acceleration Camp, CASVI will continue adhering to its sustainable development value, mobilizing professional resources, and upholding its mission to support social entrepreneurs.

Group photo of the closing ceremony of 2021 Youth Innovation Acceleration Camp

About CASVI:

China Alliance of Social Value Investment (CASVI) is the first licensed international NPO that specialized in building the ecosystem of sustainable development finance in China. CASVI is certified as the 5A National Social Organization and was certified as a charity organization in 2020.