Brinc recently attended ReThink HK 2023, the annual sustainable business forum and solutions expo that unites a growing ecosystem of innovators, investors, government and business leaders, stakeholders, and communities.
The fourth edition of ReThink hosted more than 6,000 attendees across the two-day event. As a content-led conference-expo hybrid, ReThink places thought leadership, insight, and debate alongside innovation and real solutions for a common purpose: To accelerate action towards a more sustainable future for Hong Kong.
Brinc’s Sustainability Associate Program Manager, Elisa Riou, joined the “Impact Investment in APAC” forum that explored how investment capital can create positive change. Focused on balancing profit and purpose, solutions were discussed amongst speakers from Dalberg Advisors, Undivided Ventures and WWF, who addressed collective challenges and reimagined a more inclusive, accountable financial system. Riou also hosted a Brinc meetup for 30 members from The Hong Kong Women and Climate community.
The team also supported Formwork IO, a startup from Brinc’s first Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) accelerator cohort, who was a ReThink event sponsor that showcased its mineralization construction solution at its booth. Formwork IO founder/director, Antonio Ng, said: “ReThink 2023 was the first one held since Hong Kong opened up [post-Covid], so it had a stronger sense of buzz and energy. Despite the opening day’s Red Rainstorm, there was an impressive turnout of attendees. While previous years had a predominant focus on corporates, this year, I saw a notable shift towards a larger presence of entrepreneurs and solution providers, actively highlighting their contributions.”
Our key takeaways from ReThink HK 2023 include highlighting the need for:
Investor Commitment To Change: “It would have been great to see stronger participation from the investor community. We need to collaborate with other stakeholders to drive real change.” — Janina Motter, Climate Tech Program Manager at Brinc
Required, But Risky, Moves: “Encouragingly, the number of local early-stage startups in carbon removal increased this year, with a particular emphasis on carbon utilization for construction. However, more early-stage and risk-focused investments are required to build the market.” — Elisa Riou
Be Clear on Correct Carbon Terms: “There’s definitely a need to distinguish between carbon capture and carbon removal (looking at inputs and end usage), from the standpoint of policy, business use cases, and potential environmental benefits.” — Janina Motter
Collaborative Power: “I think most founders and businesses are looking for ways to make incremental improvements alone, but should be working on transformative solutions together, which is what climate tech needs in order to move forward.” — Antonio Ng, founder/director of Formwork IO
Early Support, To Pave Corporate Path: “I was delighted to see more climate tech startups and corporations with sustainability initiatives participating this year. We need to see more early-stage investments and support to really propel startups to the next stage, so they can better cooperate with corporates.” — Ann Li, Associate Program Manager at Brinc
To find out more about and apply for Brinc’s Climate Tech accelerator programs, please visit our website. For those interested in being part of Brinc’s Climate Tech network as a partner or mentor, please contact us via this interest form.
