Head of Beijing delegation, Susan Cao, Eugene Clark and Fernando Serra Martins

Two groups, hosted by the Top Education Institute, focused on promoting innovation, recently came together through the visit of a Chinese delegation to the Australia Technology Park (ATP).

The five Chinese visitors, including Yuan Fang, president of the Beijing Overseas Talent Center, toured the ATP and the Australian Innovation Centre. Also situated in the park are the Australian International Business Centre and the many government departments (e.g. Data61), media companies (Channel 7 and NEP), etc.

The visitors were particularly interested in visiting Sonder, a company that is working with Chinese laptop computer giant, Lenovo, to produce a "smart key-board." Sonder is a start-up company established by twin brothers, Fernando and Felipe Serra-Martins, who have secured a patent for their award-winning "smart keyboard."

Sonder is collaborating with Foxconn, the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer, with close production ties to Apple. It has established an office at Foxconn's Lanfang campus in Beijing to develop their dynamic E-link Keyboard which adapts to a user by displaying any application-specific shortcuts, in addition to any language or custom icons. Currently, Sonder is in discussions with computer manufacturers such as Lenovo regarding the licensing of their technology for integration within laptops.

ATP Innovations works with technology-based start-ups and entrepreneurs by providing personalized assistance to help them grow and secure investors. Moreover, the environment with start-up companies at different levels provides a creative community where people can learn from each other's experiences.

It has worked with more than 80 businesses since 2000. In 2015, ATP Innovations received the National Business Incubation Association award as World Incubator of the Year and Technology-Focused Incubator of the Year. Examples of recent successes include:

·  Ingogo, a mobile payments and transportation start-up, recently raised $12 million, meaning it is now valued at close to $100 million. The funds will be used on marketing for the start-up's taxi booking app, and to support its expansion into Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

·  Bugcrowd, a cybersecurity specialist and graduate of ATP Innovations program Startmate, recently signed a deal with electric car maker Tesla Motors to safeguard the future of security systems in its vehicles. Bugcrowd's security researchers will test Tesla's products for vulnerabilities and help it upgrade its privacy systems and data security.

·  Clarity Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on the treatment of serious disease, and a client of ATP Innovations, recently signed a licensing agreement with Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne to develop a diagnostic for the detection of rupture-prone plaque, which could help prevent recurrent heart attacks and save millions of lives.

China is also focusing on innovation, especially in technology, such as the Zhongguancun Biological Medicine Park is intended to provide the specialized incubation services in the field of bio-medicine technology for enterprises and projects by building a business incubation system consisting of "one pool, one network and six platforms."

China is both encouraging overseas students to study in China as well as sending an increasing number of its own students overseas to study. One of the many components of the Beijing system involved the establishment of the Overseas Student Pioneer Park that supports returning students in developing their own businesses.

Over the past eight years, it has incubated a total of 527 enterprises, of which 105 enterprises have graduated; and attracted 460 overseas students. The total income from technology, industry and trade reached 4.96 billion yuan. A host of start-ups that began in the Pioneer Park have grown up and out to become the major players in various industries and sectors. So far, nine enterprises have realized the revenue of more than 100 million yuan; one enterprise has been listed in NASDAQ, and many other enterprises are preparing for listing.

Similar to ATP Innovations, the Beijing Zhongguancun International Incubator Inc. also nurtures and supports new businesses, especially in the technology sector. The focus of these activities is in the Haidian District of Beijing which also includes some of China's leading universities.

China also knows that it needs foreign experts, for example, to help it develop its domestic, consumer driven economy and the Overseas Talent Centre is setting up its first immigration office to facilitate this. As a Global Talents Scholar myself, I was very impressed with the level of support and openness I experienced during my three years as a beneficiary of this program.

Eugene Clark is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/eugeneclark.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.