Govt picks Shanghai for second start-up landing pad

Fresh from opening a landing pad in San Francisco to help Australian entrepreneurs achieve international success, the government has announced plans to build a similar facility in Shanghai.

The government announced that it will consult with the Chinese government and other local stakeholders on the proposal to open a landing pad in Shanghai.

Announcing the move, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said the Chinese government is positioning Shanghai as a global centre for technology and innovation.

“Entrepreneurs accessing the landing pads will be assisted to commercialise their products and services through access to the expertise, infrastructure and innovation and marketing networks of local partners,” he said.

“Landing pads are a key component of our agenda because they will build international collaboration performance by emerging Australian companies, enabling them to leverage the entrepreneurial expertise in these strategic hubs.”

Recent changes to Shanghai’s labour market are meanwhile opening the economy for further opportunities for overseas entrepreneurs, according to Treasurer Scott Morrison.

“These changes have attracted the global attention of investors and entrepreneurs with an eye on China’s 618 million internet users and 300 million e-commerce shoppers,” he said.

The government plans to open five landing pads worldwide as part of an $11.2 million investment under the National Innovation and Science Agenda. A third will be opened in Tel Aviv, Israel, but the location of the other two has yet to be determined.

Image courtesy of Juan Llanos under CC