Opportunities to network with global investors are among the benefits that business events entrepreneurs have been enjoying through Pico Group’s new start-up incubator facility.
Launched in October 2016, P3 Space is aimed at nurturing innovation that can be used to enhance business events. P3 offers consulting services as well as 3,000 sqm of space in the Pico Creative Centre in Shanghai.
P3 Space held its first business-sharing event: P3 Space Demo Day, at the Extra Time Café and Lounge in Changde Road, in the Jing’an area of Shanghai, on February 23.
Winning pitch
P3 Space is the first initiative of Pico Group’s strategic platform P3 Innovation, which is aimed at delivering a brand-new generation of disruptive service offerings.
Work at the Pico Creative Centre in Shanghai’s Jiading district encourages start-ups to develop virtual and augmented reality, big-data tools and applications, Internet services, creative visual applications, the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence among other disruptive technologies that can be used in the business events industry.
Highlights
The Demo Day saw Pico bring together innovators and entrepreneurs from across Shanghai, along with representatives from several of the companies being incubated, to encourage ideas sharing and brainstorming for ”innovative business models and new methods of cooperation”.
Following a relaxed format, the day was filled with presentations, project discussions and a talk from Vincent Tan, CEO of Popex, a service provider that helps brands raise their exposure through pop-up events in malls and stores.
Among the 60 who attended were entrepreneurs, bankers, consultants, and investment professionals.
Upshot
The P3 Space incubator has fostered the development of seven start-ups since launching. These companies are taking an innovative role in the fields of live B2B communications and exhibitions across China.
Among those already incubated are Ditie Baishitong, a smart city information service provider; SensEvent.net, an app linking passengers and vehicle providers during large-scale events; Sensmell, a scent marketing solution provider; Baiwan Wate, a creative internet communications platform concentrating on exhibition design; and Whynotstudio, a creative content marketing service provider.
Shaun Lim, co-founder and executive director of P3 Innovation, said: “Exciting things have been happening since the launch of P3 Innovation and P3 Space in Shanghai.
“We are attracting prospective start-ups to join our ecosystem, and are creating innovative new opportunities by leveraging existing resources that would otherwise not be used. It’s making a positive impact on our colleagues at other Pico units and on our clients.”
Off the back of the Demo Day’s success, P3 Space plans to hold the event on a regular basis.
Checklist
Project name: P3 Space Demo Day
Organiser: Pico Group
Venue: Extra Time Café and Lounge, Shanghai
Attendees: Around 60
Big Moments: Guest speaker from Popex; brainstorming with entrepreneurs
Date: February 23, 2017
