Since 1988, CEFRIEL (Milan, Italy) has been a major center for innovation in the field of Information and Communication Technology. With its research, innovation and education activities CEFRIEL conceives, develops and transfers new ICT paradigms to industries and public organizations. CEFRIEL crafts innovative solutions by leveraging a unique combination of multidisciplinary competences that go even beyond the pure ICT domain to embrace Design, Urban Mobility, Energy and Environment. With a human capital of 130 full-time professionals and the contribution of more than 100 academics, industrial residents and post-graduate students, CEFRIEL is a reference body of knowledge in Europe.

China Business Angel Network (CBAN) was established in December 2007 by a group of angel investors based in Beijing, China in order to bring an alternative source of funding, business expertise and ‘hands-on’ assistance to promising early stage companies in China. CBAN aspires to be the first organised angel investors network in China.

CBAN members actively participate at CBAN’s activities, be it in generating deal flow, or screening business plans, or participating at start-up presentation events. CBAN members invest individually, at their discretion, when and where they choose. CBAN activities include monthly start-up presentation events; the start-ups are selected by CBAN’s Screening Committee from the pool of business plans that are being submitted to CBAN by the various entrepreneurs. CBAN is affiliated and has an active collaboration with the Business Angel Network South-East Asia (BANSEA).

As one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas from around the world to change lives and transform organizations. The unique global perspective and multicultural diversity of INSEAD are reflected in all aspects of its research and teaching. Currently, at the school’s two comprehensive and fully connected campuses in Asia (Singapore) and Europe (France), faculty conduct leading edge research projects with the support of 12 Centres of Excellence. The INSEAD-Wharton Alliance extends the reach of INSEAD business education and research across three continents.

The Media Development Authority (MDA) has been created to focus on and develop the media industry, putting Singapore at the forefront of the media age. The MDA has a dual-function role that contributes to developing Singapore into a vibrant global media city as well as a creative economy and a connected society. The first is to promote the growth of the media industry. The second is to manage content to protect core values and safeguard consumers' interests. The raison d'etre of the MDA is to develop Singapore into a vibrant global city so as to foster a creative economy and connected society.

Mentor Partners (Bangalore, India) helps turn ideas into successful companies. By building an ecosystem around the Indian entrepreneur, Mentor Partners nurtures young companies and brings them to the world stage. Mentor Partners brings the knowledge of how to build product/IP based technology companies, as well as access to financing and customers, to young entrepreneurs.

BizSpark is an innovative new program that unites startups with global entrepreneurial and technology resource in one community, with a common goal of supporting and accelerating the success of a new generation of high-potential Startups. BizSpark is uniquely designed to help Startups engaged in software development to jump-start their business, by:

• Providing them with “express access” to Microsoft tools and technologies, for their immediate use in design, development, testing, demonstration, and hosted application production and deployment; and
• Connecting them with Network Partners and a united, global community of resources designed to support them.

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead agency that plans and executes strategies to sustain Singapore as a compelling global hub for business and investment. Set up in 1961, EDB acts as catalyst and facilitator to nurture a vibrant, self-sustaining enterprise ecosystem, creating a conducive environment for startups and companies of all sizes. The Board works closely with other agencies to promote innovation and develop human, intellectual, financial and cultural capital in Singapore.

Launched in 2001, the Startup Enterprise Development Scheme (SEEDS) is an S$80 million equity finance fund for startups and new businesses. Funds are matched with investments made by third party investors. The program has funded over 150 companies spanning a wide spectrum of industries including IT, biotechnology, electronics and e-commerce, media and communications, and nanotechnology. The SEEDS Partner Initiative aims to strengthen the working arrangements with co-investors, to respond to opportunities efficiently and nurture investee companies more effectively. Upstream Ventures was named a SEEDS Partner in October 2003.

Torino Wireless (Torino, Italy) was established in December 2003 under a funding agreement from the Italian Government and a variety of public and private organisations, including Fiat, Motorola and Telecom Italia. It aims to coordinate and foster the ICT contribution of the regional economy, positioning the Piemonte Region as the most innovative ICT cluster at an international level. Torino Wireless, together with Ersel, is the promoter of Innogest Capital, one of the largest early stage funds in Italy dedicated to enterprises with high growth potential.