Culture Clash between startups and corporates

SPEAKER 1

Hong Wa Poon (Manager Accelerator Program Global, Merck Group)

Hong joint the Innovation Center of Merck as an MBA fellow of the Collége des Ingeniéurs in 2016. Since then he supported the development of the external activities including the Accelerator and Hackathons. He focuses now on managing the Accelerator Program with its major objective to find the right collaboration partner for Merck. Furthermore, he is involved in setting up the Merck China Accelerator in Shanghai. Hong holds a double degree MSc. in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen and Tsinghua University.

Speaker 2

Mira Zhang (Manager Innovation Hub China, Merck Group)

Mira joint the Merck China since 2013 in the healthcare business. She worked for the executive offices for Biopharma China and Biopharma APAC, Mira had rich experience on managing executive engagement and corporate strategic projects. Mira has also an intrapreneurial experience with Merck APAC goes digital initiative in 2016. Now Mira is managing the Accelerator Program in China and internal ideations in the China Innovation Hub based in Shanghai. Mira got her bachelor degree from University of Hull, UK, master degree from Tsinghua University and Executive MBA from INSEAD. 

Merck

Science and Technology Company - with a focus on healthcare (Prescription drugs and solutions to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases), life science (Innovative tools and laboratory supplies for the life science industry that make research and biotech production better, faster and safer) and performance materials (A wide range of high-tech chemicals, such as: Liquid crystals and OLED materials for displays & lighting, Effect pigments for coatings and cosmetic products, Specialty chemicals for the semiconductor industry, Functional materials for solar panels.

Merck Accelerator

The 3-month China Accelerator Program in Shanghai will officially launch in January 2019, which runs two intakes per year. China Accelerator hosts 5-8 start-ups for each intake. We aim to identify external promising start-ups and support them in their business development journey. By bringing them into the China Innovation Hub they will get the opportunity to partner with Merck China. We focus on start-ups in the seed to series A fund in the fields of healthcare, performance materials and life sciences, but also other emerging technology fields. 

Possible Topics

How do corporates help foster innovation?

How do corporates and startups benefit each other?

What is the best way to help startups in the healthcare field?

How can corporate avoid cultural clash with startups?

How can corporates manage the acquisition of startups without killing the innovative culture?

Is there a difference of innovation strategy between general corporates and life science corporates?

How critical has AI become in the healthcare field?

Venue

Startupbootcamp China Office

9th Floor, Building 10, Thinkzone, Hightech Zone, Chengdu

Startupbootcamp is a global leading accelerator with a core mission of supporting the world's best entrepreneurs through all stages of their growth. Until now, Startupbootcamp's global network contains 21 industry-focused program across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania, covering vertical industries such as Digital Health, FinTech, InsurTech, Smart Manufactring, IoT, FoodTech etc.

Startup Grind Chengdu

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueBIWjW8-2Y

Startup Grind originated in Silicon Valley and has become a global entrepreneur community spanning across 500 cities in 125 countries.

We help founders succeed by connecting, inspiring, and educating them at our local and international events. We believe in making friends, not contacts; giving, not taking; helping others before helping yourself.

Startup Grind Chengdu has launched it's first event in January 2017. Since then the chapter has hosted 23 events with over 30 speakers, more than 60 partners, at 14 different venues and over 2000 participants. The team is comprised of  serial entrepreneurs, community leaders, VCs, directors and more than 100 committed students and volunteers.