China-Europe Networks of Technology Innovation (CENTI) has launched to help UK and European tech companies expand into the Chinese market.
CENTI’s mission is to bridge the gap between European and Chinese tech ecosystems, offering essential advisory services between the two vastly different business landscapes.
The company is based in Shoreditch, London and has already secured an agreement with Tech Nordic Advocates to support tech companies operating in Scandinavia.
John Zai, CEO and founder of CENTI, is a long-term champion of increased collaboration between Europe and China. He launched Tech Shanghai Advocates, the first Chinese network within Russ Shaw’s Global Tech Advocates, in 2017. He also led the inaugural London Tech Week @ China last year, bringing a delegation of UK tech companies to Shanghai and Shenzhen.
China is currently the second largest economy in the world, maintaining high-levels of economic growth despite a recent downturn. As a result, China offers huge growth opportunities for European tech firms, particularly with Chinese investors concerned about President Trump’s approach to trade tariffs.
CENTI has also recently agreed a strategic partnership with China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC). CIECC is the largest comprehensive project consulting company in China and a service provider for the investment and consulting. The deal will see CENTI act as an overseas representative of CEICC as it seeks to provide its consultancy services to European companies that are looking to expand into the Chinese market.
It has also agreed a new partnership with Silverpeak, enabling investment banking services to be provided to companies that are seeking investment from the Chinese market.
John Zai, CEO and founder of CENTI, said: “There are many great British and European tech startups and scale-ups that are looking for investment; in turn in China we also find a substantial number of investors that are looking for the latest opportunities to finance. The difficulty has always been bringing the two together. For Europeans, China can be a complex country to understand, especially when it comes to the different regulatory environments.
“This is where we come in – I was born and raised in China, and I’m now based at the centre of the tech sector in London, having worked closely with Tech London Advocates to launch Tech Shanghai Advocates in my homeland.
“Connecting the innovative ideas of entrepreneurs in Britain and across Europe with the vital investment and government relations that can see their concepts, designs and plans become a reality is vital to securing a close-bond between our two countries in the modern global ecosystem.
“I have already began expanding our networks in Dusseldrof, Copenhagen, Paris, Oslo, Amsterdam and Berlin, and I look forward to adding other key cities across the continent.”
Russ Shaw, CEO and founder of Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates, said: “On the eve of Brexit, the UK tech sector is looking to new international partners for investment and expansion opportunities. No market is more exciting or dynamic than China, and British tech companies should focus on collaboration with Chinese investors, partners and customers especially if they want to scale their businesses for international growth.”
Julian David, CEO of techUK, said: “China is on track to be the largest economy in the world, so it only makes sense to create greater ties between UK tech companies and the Chinese ecosystem.
“CENTI will help to boost this cooperation, and I look forward to seeing John help numerous UK tech companies take their innovations to the world’s most populated country.”