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Jockey Club Engage Digital Exploration – Elevating Digital Marketing for local NGOs

Re-think, Re-position, Re-align digital marketing strategy for NGOs

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 9 November 2021 – The global pandemic and its far-reaching effects have caused uncertainty and intense stress throughout the world.  NGOs are adapting to the new normal to re-think and re-position conventional approaches to operations and services.  Cultivating a mindset for digital transformation is essential to walk out from the woods and digital marketing is one of the cornerstones. However, NGOs seldom have a marketing budget let alone a digital one.  Digital marketing is far more than sending emails and sharing posts on social media; many NGOs that ACS worked with have expressed their challenges and desire to reach and convert audiences online.  Digital marketing can be a game-changer in a budget-constrained and resource-starved NGO environment.  One can start small, learn from the data insights and optimize with the new strategies.

JC ENGAGE Digital Exploration  (JC ENGAGE), funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, has unveiled the first Digital Campaign Series in August 2021. The program equips NGOs with digital marketing skills by leveraging a strategic framework developed by marketing professionals and ACS volunteers.  

In August 2021, 36 NGO participants and 28 skill-based volunteers started their digital campaign journey with ACS. Through the eLearning, brainstorming, and half-day interactive workshop, NGOs gain insights into social marketing, experience how to make impactful data-driven decisions, and develop an integrated digital marketing strategy.  On August 31, 11 NGO teams presented their digital campaign ideas in front of a judging panel and the following teams stood out to win a 30k budget each to kickstart their own digital campaign.   All the NGOs also received pro-bono small group coaching from marketing agencies, Echo Asia Communications Ltd, and New Century Marketing.

We are grateful to serve the following NGOs:  Andiappan Yoga Community, Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, Chatteris Educational Foundation, DADs Network Limited, Education for Good Foundation Limited, Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor, Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, Mind Hong Kong, Pneumoconiosis Mutual Aid Association, Project Space Limited, The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection, WYNG Foundation.

We strongly believe that with the training, coaching, and budget support, NGOs would be better positioned to execute successful digital campaigns.

 

Key highlights from our judge panelists in our last workshop for a winsome digital campaign

“In your digital engagement, think from the shoes of your audience, how does your message can attract, motivate and touch them.” -Daisy Lee, Senior Lecturer & Assistant Programme Director, PolyU (SPEED)


“Ensure you have an “easy” DO component in your framework that your audience can immediately action upon – remember Think-Feel-Do trio.” -Norbert Woo, Business Advisor & Digital Growth Strategist


“Don’t boil the ocean in a single campaign – plan well for how the individual goals contribute to the ultimate objective.” -Wai Yee Lam, Board Member, ACS


About the Winners:

Chatteris Educational Foundation (“Chatteris”), founded in 1990 is a charity that connects international graduates, local schools, and community partners to best impact students in Hong Kong. With the travel restrictions and ongoing measures to control the spread of the pandemic, such as 21 days quarantine, the barrier in terms of time and cost to attract tutors to Hong Kong has never been more challenging. Under these restrictions and limitations of social issues, digital marketing is a crucial twist to the current situation.

Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (“HKSPC”), founded in 1926, provides for and promotes the care, education, and social development of children and families in partnership with the community.  HKSPC offers support and parenting programs to make parenting more enjoyable and strengthen a child’s ability to thrive.  Besides, the pandemic has upended family life, school closures, working remote, physical distancing, especially for parents. Online social media has become a pivotal platform to bring parenting tips in the “New Normal.”

The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection (“AFTEC”), founded in 2008, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of youth through its bilingual Learning Theatre approach. AFTEC is exploring its digital offerings to foster a close relationship in the challenges of in-person gatherings. Keeping an authentic social media presence enabled us all to stay connected with the community.

About Asian Charity Services

Asian Charity Services (ACS) offers customized philanthropic services to enable foundations and corporates to engage and impact NGOs in a meaningful and innovative way. ACS provides training and support for capacity-building and helps bridge the gap between funders and non-profits. To learn more, visit https://www.asiancharityservices.org / or follow @asiancharityservices on Fb, IG, and LinkedIn.


About JC ENGAGE Digital Exploration Program

is a digital exploration program for staff from non-profit organizations. We aim to equip NGOs with the knowledge of storytelling and digital campaigns taught by subject matter experts and coached by our skilled-based professionals. Through this journey, non-profit communication with stakeholders can be better, stronger, and deeper. To learn more, visit https://engage.asiancharityservices.org/

#JCENGAGE

New De Beers Research Shows Sustainability Now on Par with Price and Design When Consumers Choose Diamonds

Trend being led by younger consumers who value evidence of sustainability credentials

LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 9 November 2021 – Sustainability considerations now rank on par with price and design for global consumers when purchasing diamonds, according to new research published today by De Beers Group in the company’s eighth annual Diamond Insight Report, titled Sustainability: shaping the future of the diamond sector.

 

The report takes an in-depth look at the topic of sustainability in the diamond sector, including how sustainability considerations are influencing consumer decisions relating to natural diamonds, how the diamond industry is already a leader in many areas relating to sustainability, and how the industry must build on its momentum and continue to place sustainability at the heart of its value proposition to meet consumer expectations for the future.

 

Based on a global study of more than 8,400 people across seven[1] key consumer markets for diamonds, the report found that sustainability considerations were influencing consumer purchase decisions across all sectors, with 60 per cent of consumers and more than 80 per cent of opinion leaders (those who influence decisions of friends and family) having chosen to buy a product made in a more environmentally or socially responsible way over any other product.

 

The study also found that fine jewellery ranks third, after only food and clothing, as the category most frequently purchased on the basis of sustainability considerations, with one in five consumers globally having bought jewellery because of its sustainability credentials in recent years. When it came to diamond jewellery, the study found that sustainability considerations were a key factor for consumers in all markets. Sustainability was ranked by 30 per cent of consumers as their most important consideration – above price and design – when choosing a diamond.

 

The top five sustainability considerations for diamond consumers in the study were protection of the environment, fair worker treatment, conflict-free sourcing, supporting local communities and diamond origin.

 

These trends are being led by the younger generations, with 30 per cent of Millennials having bought jewellery with sustainability credentials as part of its branding, compared with only eight per cent of Baby Boomers. Sustainability considerations were also higher among consumers with a higher education (67 per cent) and those from affluent backgrounds (70 per cent).

 

The study also found that sustainability-conscious consumers were prepared to pay a premium for natural diamonds that provide evidence of sustainability credentials, with 56 per cent of consumers who were willing to pay more saying they were willing to pay between 10 and 20 per cent more for natural diamond brands that could demonstrate they operate in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Nearly 17 per cent of these consumers were open to paying 25 per cent or more for a sustainable natural diamond.

 

The more symbolic and emotive the occasion and the larger the carat weight, the more sensitive consumers were to a brand’s environmental and social values. Sixty-two per cent of people buying natural diamonds for weddings, engagements and anniversaries ranked sustainability factors as the most important in their purchasing decisions. This figure was 50 per cent for self-purchased diamonds and 45 per cent for other occasions such as Christmas, Chinese Lunar New Year, Diwali and Mother’s Day.

 

When it came to factors that were most influential in shaping consumer perceptions towards sustainability and diamonds, the study found that the opinion of experts (46 per cent), information from the brand itself (40 per cent) and information from retailers (37 per cent) ranked most highly, compared with the opinions of friends and family (21 per cent), and the opinions of influencers (17 per cent) or peers (15 per cent) on social media.

 

In addition to the research findings, the report also highlights numerous examples demonstrating how the diamond industry is already a sustainability leader in many areas, from supporting local communities and delivering large-scale conservation projects to increasing diversity throughout the value chain and working towards becoming carbon neutral. The report emphasises that the industry has strong foundations to build from when responding to the consumer trends identified by the research, by more proactively communicating the significant positive impacts that diamonds create on their journey to the consumer.

 

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “With sustainability being one of the key mega trends across all consumer sectors, this year’s Diamond Insight Report explores how sustainability factors are influencing consumer attitudes towards diamonds. As is clear from this research, a tipping point has been reached – sustainability is no longer a trend that’s coming over the horizon; it’s already one of the key considerations in diamond purchases.

 

“As a luxury product that is both unique to each individual and which holds deep emotional meaning, today’s consumers want to know that the diamond they have purchased aligns with their own values and has contributed to a better future for people and the planet – and they increasingly want evidence of this. The natural diamond industry has an impressive – if sometimes poorly understood – recent track record in creating immense and widespread benefits throughout the value chain, with ambitious sustainability commitments for the coming decade and beyond. As this report demonstrates, all players in the industry must now consider how they can best connect consumers more closely to this positive impact, which will be critical to maintaining long-term consumer trust, desire and loyalty.”

 

The 2021 Diamond Insight Report also includes the annual Diamond Value Chain Dashboard, tracking performance across the diamond industry downstream, midstream and upstream for 2020 and the first half of 2021. De Beers Group’s analysis found that consumer demand for diamonds in the first half of 2021 grew 40 per cent year-on-year or about 15 to 20 per cent on an annualised basis compared with 2019.


[1] United States, China, India, United Kingdom, France, Italy, South Africa


About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

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#DeBeers

Inter-Ministerial Technical Workshop Held for Implementation of ODSCs in Laos

On the 28th of last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), in partnership with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Laos, organized a one-day hybrid inter-ministerial technical workshop on the implementation of One-Door-Service Centers (ODSCs).

USA Provides USD 240,000 to IOM for COVID-19 Response

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues ongoing support for returnee migrants, vulnerable populations, and migrant-receiving communities in Laos under a new project funded by the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration to the tune of USD 240,000.

CSG CMCO Liz Bauer Joins the TM Forum Diversity & Inclusion Council

Appointment amplifies CSG’s commitment to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future for the telecommunications industry

London – CSG – 09 November 2021 –

LONDON, November 9, 2021 – CSG® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced Liz Bauer, chief marketing & customer officer, is joining the TM Forum’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, which is a global collaboration project that aims to make the telecommunications industry the most diverse and inclusive in the world. Achieving this goal will help accelerate the transformation of the industry itself and underpin its continued success in the digital economy.

As a member of CSG’s Executive Governance Committee for Environmental, Social, and Government (ESG) and DE&I, Bauer has been instrumental in establishing the company’s diversity and inclusion programs, including the appointment of its first-ever chief diversity officer. Throughout her career, Bauer has led with compassion and empathy to reach across business silos and establish a common purpose, ensuring employees are seen, heard, and inspired to drive growth and further industry innovation. Her business acumen and innovative approach to problem-solving and track record of developing and delivering customer-focused strategic programs will help drive the impact of the Forum’s work to advance the telecom industry’s inclusion journey and accelerate change.

“The telecoms industry must address DE&I to remain competitive, relevant, and sustainable over the next decade,” said Nik Willetts, TM Forum CEO. “That journey starts with commitment from the top, beyond HR where the responsibility for improving diversity and inclusion often sits. Committing to an inclusive and diverse workforce isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. It’s critical that the telco industry considers DE&I a strategic issue as well as a moral imperative. We are delighted to welcome Liz Bauer to the council. Her dedication to elevate ESG awareness and unify the industry to do better collectively will be invaluable to help us realise this bold ambition.”

“As a technology leader, CSG is motivated and committed to close the DE&I gap and drive real and lasting change for the industry and ultimately for consumers around the globe,” said Bauer. “No company can solve this challenge in isolation. We must collectively level the playing field, root out biases, and create a more inclusive future – not only because it’s the right thing to do on a societal level, but because diverse ideas and viewpoints drive innovation and move technology forward. With TM Forum’s leadership, our industry can realise a unique, universal inclusion and diversity score to help us evaluate our performance and identify opportunities for improvement. This standard and cross-industry collaboration are crucial to propel the more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future that consumers demand.”

For more than a decade, CSG has been an active participant in TM Forum activities, including training, compliance, certification and thought leadership. The company is a staunch advocate of TM Forum’s standardised frameworks for applications and processes, along with the common nomenclature needed for the industry to communicate and collaborate. The company is also signatory to the TM Forum’s Open API Manifesto and the Open Digital Architecture, and COO Ken Kennedy is a member of the TM Forum Beyond Connectivity Board.

# # #

About CSG

CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries.

To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved.

Contacts:

Kristine Østergaard

Public Relations

+44 (0)79 2047 7204

kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com

John Rea

Investor Relations

+1 (210) 687-4409

john.rea@csgi.com

Contact Details

Kristine Østergaard

+44 7500 518412

kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com

Company Website

https://www.csgi.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/csg-cmco-liz-bauer-joins-the-tm-forum-diversity-and-inclusion-council-557321907

About CSG

CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries.

To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved.

World’s First UV-C LED Water Purifying Straw, LUMISTRAW Now Available In Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 9 November 2021 – Champs Industrial, Singapore’s leading manufacturer of water treatment, sterilization and filtration solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of the world’s 1st UV-C LED water purifying straw – LUMISTRAW. This innovative and revolutionary new product incorporates the use of the most advanced UV-C LED technology and novel flow cell design to create a disinfection system that is highly effective, efficient and reliable with just a sip. LUMISTRAW is also the most efficient way of ensuring clean water for drinking on-the-go.

Commenting on the launch of LUMISTRAW in Singapore, Cheong Ing Jen, Managing Director, Champs Industrial said, “We’re excited to introduce a convenient, smart and most importantly sustainable solution that makes it easy for anyone to have better quality drinking water wherever they go. LUMISTRAW’s compact size and elegant design offers consumers a simple way to access cleaner and fresher water, without compromising on reliability, durability or safety. As compared to other filtration systems, that are usually bulky or require frequent filter changes, LUMISTRAW now allows you to have purified water on-demand. Along with our vision of only creating solutions that are sustainable, there is no longer a need for single use bottled waters and plastic straw.”

Instant Purification, With Just A Sip

 

LUMISTRAW uses patent pending Lumiflo technology to disinfect and filter water as you drink. Powered by UV-C LED, its unique flow cell design ensures every drop of water is thoroughly and efficiently purified, eradicating 99.99%* bacteria and viruses. Keeping you safe and hydrated anytime, anywhere, LUMISTRAW brings confidence and control to the user, serving as a portable water purification device that instantly purifies water on-demand, without the wait. Simply fill the bottle up with water, kick start the purifying process with the push of a button and then drink.

 

Conceptualised, developed and assembled in Singapore, LUMISTRAW’s novel flow cell is made of food safe PTFE (Teflon) for its excellent material and self-cleaning properties. The straw tip is also made of food grade soft silicone material for a more comfortable user experience.

 

LUMISTRAW is designed for consuming liquids below 40°C and this handy device is also removable and can be placed in a mug, glass, or other bottles to purify water. LUMISTRAW is not constrained by a vessel, but the Tritan bottle included can hold 500ml of water. Furthermore, LUMISTRAW does not require any filter replacement and  its advanced high powered UVC LED is effective for over 100,000 on/off cycles, lasting for more than 10,000 hours of usage. LUMISTRAW is conveniently rechargeable via micro-USB and takes about 90 minutes for a full charge, which can last up to 2 weeks depending on usage. Each LUMISTRAW comes with a straw, bottle, micro-USB charging cable, making it ultra-portable.

 

Key Features

  • Silicone Mouthpiece: Comfortable for sipping and gentle on teeth (mouthpiece cap included)
  • Splash Proof charging Port: Fitted with a rechargeable lithium polymer battery which is highly durable and safe due to its robust construction. The battery is also secured in an ultrasonic welded plastic housing, ensuring the user is completely protected.
  • Self-Cleaning PTFE Flow Cell: 100% PTFE flow cell ensures every drop of water is efficiently and thoroughly purified.
  • BPA & BPS Free Tritan Bottle: Highly durable, reusable and food safe, Tritan material is also used in many leading baby bottles.
  • Activation Button: Drink instantly purified water on-the-go.
  • High Powered UV-C LED: LUMISTRAW’s advanced UV-C LED system is effective, safe and long-lasting.
  • Destroys Germs: UV radiation eradicates 99.99%* of harmful micro-organisms.
  • Healthy Hydration: Chemical-free and filter-less technology to reduce chlorine content for better tasting water.

Launch Promotion

 

LUMISTRAW carries a one-year warranty and retails at S$119, complete with a straw, bottle, and a micro-USB charging cable. To celebrate the launch, enjoy an introductory promotion of 20% off, which includes a gift with purchase worth S$27.90.

 

LUMISTRAW is available for purchase on LazMall (https://www.lazada.sg/shop/champs-industrial/) from 14 November 2021 onwards, and on Shopee (https://shopee.sg/champsindustrial) from 15 November 2021 onwards.

 

There will also be a LazLive livestream segment on the Lazmall Launch Day 14 Nov at 9pm, log on to find out more about Lumistraw & other innovative offerings from Champs Industrial.

 

For more information, visit https://champsindustrial.com.sg/.

About Champs Industrial

Incorporated in 1996, Champs Industrial has since established itself as one of Singapore’s leading manufacturing companies in the electric water heater and sterilization products industry. Over the years Champs Industrial has grown and expanded into Asia Pacific and UAE through a strategic network of partnerships. Today, the home-grown company offers a full suite of solutions combining their expertise, with form and function to match every consumer’s unique preferences. For more information, visit https://champsindustrial.com.sg/

#ChampsIndustrial

Ingel Soong Tuition Centre, Popular For H2 Physics Tuition, H2 Chemistry Tuition and H2 Math Tuition, Releases “The Ingelious Method” For Free

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 9 November 2021 – Ingel Soong Tuition Centre, highly sought after for its unique pedagogy for H2 Physics TuitionH2 Chemistry Tuition and H2 Math Tuition recently released The Ingelious Method for free. With the first batch of subject content released, students can now access these at any point in time without incurring any costs.

The Ingelious Method is a collection of short-cuts to resolve concepts that commonly result in frustration for students. They provide students with a refreshing perspective on solving hard-to-understand problems. The Ingelious Method provides a holistic overview of the content (“the big picture”) while drawing students’ attention to important tiny details that other students are commonly penalised for. It adopts a Pareto basis to help transform studying hours into effective ones, allowing students to now achieve more with less. Students will be taught how to solve questions using first principles and be able to adopt the basic underlying principles to solve a variety of questions, similar to what Elon Musk advocates. In the coming months, students can look forward to more popular topics being uploaded for all three subjects, such as gravitational field, organic chemistry, vectors.

Ingel Soong Tuition Centre is the only tuition centre to offer group tuition and one-to-one tuition for GCE O Level, Integrated Programme (IP), International Baccalaureate programme (IB), GCE A Level and tertiary diploma and degree level university and polytechnic tuition. Both online tuition and face-to-face tuition are available. 

For more information, please visit https://ingelsoong.com.

#IngelSoongTuitionCentre

Qupital Secures US$150 Million Round to Accelerate Global Expansion and B2B “Buy Now, Pay Later” Product

Asia’s leading e-commerce financing platform launches merchant financing securitization facility with Citi, first deal of its kind in Asia

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 9 November 2021 – Asia’s leading financial technology platform Qupital today announced it has raised US$150 million in a combination of Series B equity funding and a receivables-backed securitization facility. The equity funding will reinforce Qupital’s ambitions to scale its cross-border e-commerce lending business into international markets and further strengthen its technological capabilities, whilst the facility will provide a lower cost of funding for Qupital to offer exclusive products to its present and future clients.  

Qupital’s Co-Founder and President Andy Chan with Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Winston Wong (from left to right)

Qupital’s ambition is to become the go-to digital financial institution for e-commerce sellers trading across the globe in the New Economy.

 

The securitization facility entered with global investment bank Citi, supported by Integrated Alternative Credit Fund, marks the first e-commerce merchant financing securitization in Asia. This coincides with the closing of Qupital’s Series B round, led by the Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund (GBA Homeland), with additional capital injections from investors including the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, MindWorks Capital, Silverhorn and Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund.

 

Qupital harnesses the power of sales data to streamline credit underwriting for sellers on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Lazada and Shopee, offering a win-win solution to both sellers and investors. The platform empowers creditworthy merchants that are traditionally underserved in the commercial lending market, and hews out an alternative asset class with attractive yield opportunities for both professional and institutional investors. As of October 2021, Qupital has achieved over US$500 million in loan advancement to some 7,000 merchants onboarded on its digital platform, tracking an annualized gross merchandise value (GMV) of over US$3 billion.

 

Series B round led by GBA Homeland Development Fund, joined by the ITVF of HKSAR Government

 

On top of the Series B funding, Qupital’s strategic placement within the GBA Homeland portfolio more importantly reflects the depth and breadth of its integration into the GBA ecosystem. As a global-scale alliance dedicated to promote the new economy in China’s GBA, GBA Homeland’s established network serves as a springboard for Qupital to augment local partnerships and on-the-ground knowledge to assist further expansion in the GBA and Greater China. With China cross-border e-commerce sustaining a 20% year-on-year growth, the rapid industry expansion renders extra confidence for Qupital to grow its customer base beyond its existing force which concentrates in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

 

UK-based Nordstar’s e-commerce focused fund joins the round as a new investor. As a leading investment adviser focusing on international growth and scaling, Nordstar will lend its network to broaden Qupital’s customer base in Western markets and share the team’s expertise to expedite the company’s global expansion.

 

The majority of funds raised will be used to accelerate Qupital’s core lending business to support e-commerce sellers. As part of its five-year plan, the company is set to tap into its abundant network and grow its “buy now, pay later” product model to build an all-encompassing marketplace tailored for B2B transactions. It will assign resources to enhance its R&D capabilities in terms of artificial intelligence, big-data technology and MLOps. The company also has plans to extend its footprint across mainland China, as well as international markets including Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. It expects to triple the size of its team by 2022 to support expansion needs.

 

“This funding round reinstates the boundless synergy agglomerated in the region”, said Winston Wong, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Qupital. “the GBA comprises multiple world-class manufacturing bases, where goods are produced and capital needs arise; this is where we step in as a solution to bridge the financing demand gap. It also reaffirms the unparalleled role of Hong Kong as an international financial hub – where innovations are met with opportunities to flourish. We believe Hong Kong will continue to play an indispensable role within the GBA as a financial powerhouse.”

“As we aspire to improve financial inclusion and increase global trade ultimately, we are committed to back SMEs that have limited access to capital. Being able to work with Citi on this credit facility has fueled our business with a stable pool of funds and improved cost of capital. It is the cornerstone for us to sharpen our product features, build exclusive relationships with clients and win over market share to gain even stronger foothold in the global market”, said Andy Chan, Co-Founder and President of Qupital. “Our ambition is to become the go-to digital financial institution for e-commerce sellers trading across the globe in the New Economy.”

About Qupital

Established in 2016, Qupital is a financial technology company headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou. The company specializes in cross-border e-commerce trade finance and makes use of big data, machine learning and predictive analytics capabilities to automate credit decisioning and monitoring.

For more information, please visit: https://www.qupital.com/.

#Qupital

About the Investors

Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund

Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund was jointly established by international large-scale industrial institutions, financial institutions and new economic enterprises. It aims to grasp the historical opportunities of the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the construction of an International Innovation and Technology Hub, focusing on technological innovation, industrial upgrading, quality of life, smart city and all other related industries. The Fund covers venture capital, private equity investment, listed company investment, M&A investment and so on to offer financial support for outstanding entrepreneurs and enterprises, connecting industrial and financial resources, achieving long-term returns for shareholders and investors, and contributing positively to economic and social development.

For more information, please visit: http://www.gbahomeland.com

Innovation and Technology Venture Fund

The ITVF is a HK$2 billion fund established by the HKSAR Government in 2017 with a view to attracting more private capital to invest in local I&T start-ups and creating a more vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem in Hong Kong. The ITVF will co-invest with selected co-investment partners at a matching investment ratio of approximately 1 to 2.

MindWorks
MindWorks invests in and empowers Asia’s brightest entrepreneurs to build transformational companies. The venture capital firm utilizes a Pan-Asia strategy to source direct investments in technology companies across both Greater China and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2013, the firm is headquartered in Hong Kong with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Jakarta.

MindWorks has been recognized by Preqin as a top-performing venture capital firm and is also a signatory of the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment.

The firm currently manages over US$1 billion in total net asset value across its funds and is a co-investment partner of the Innovation Technology Venture Fund initiated by the Hong Kong Government.

Silverhorn
Founded in 2010, Silverhorn Group is an owner-managed, Asian multi-asset specialist delivering intelligent investing solutions that bridge the gap between Europe and Asia. Silverhorn offers flagship products in private debt, private equity and multi-asset classes as well as access to key opportunities in the region. The 50+ team members are across the headquarters in Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland and a research hub in India. www.silverhorngroup.com

Nordstar
Nordstar is an investment and advisory platform that partners with growth companies seeking strategic and operational expertise, tailored advice, and smart capital. Founded by Ole Ruch and Eugen Miropolski, the firm provides founders access to first-hand insights gained from expanding and growing some of the most transformational businesses of the past decade internationally. Find us at www.nordstar.com.