The Pacific Innovation Corridor
THE PACIFIC INNOVATION CORRIDOR
Beyond the Headlines
Silicon Valley × Hong Kong–Greater Bay Area
A dialogue on the flow of innovation, capital and technology across the Pacific.
AI, robotics and deep technology are increasingly framed as a global race for technological leadership, economic advantage and, at times, dominance. Yet innovation ecosystems remain interconnected through capital, talent, research, manufacturing, supply chains and access to markets.
The Pacific Innovation Corridor brings together investors, founders, technology leaders and cross-border practitioners to explore what this changing environment means for Silicon Valley and Hong Kong–Greater Bay Area: where they compete, where their capabilities complement one another, and where common interests continue to create opportunities for collaboration.
The conversation moves beyond the headlines to the practical realities of investing, building and scaling across two of the world's most consequential innovation ecosystems.
THE CONVERSATION
AI, Robotics & Deep Technology
How the global race for technological leadership is reshaping innovation, investment and commercialization.
Capital & Entrepreneurship Across the Pacific
How investors assess emerging technologies, global ambitions and opportunities across different innovation ecosystems.
From Innovation to Deployment
Where Silicon Valley's strengths in technology and entrepreneurship intersect with Hong Kong–Greater Bay Area capabilities in commercialization, hardware, manufacturing, supply chains and access to Asian markets.
AI, Infrastructure & the Built Environment
Where AI, robotics and better data are creating measurable economic value across buildings, infrastructure and cities.
Cross-Border Growth
The practical realities of intellectual property, investment structures, market entry and operating across jurisdictions.
Common Interests & Healthy Competition
Where competition can make innovation ecosystems stronger—and where collaboration creates value that neither can generate as effectively alone.
OPENING PERSPECTIVE
Chi Tran
Director & Officer-in-Charge, Hong Kong Trade Development Council — Los Angeles
Chi leads HKTDC trade-promotion initiatives across 13 western U.S. states, developing partnerships among government agencies, trade associations, startups and investors. Her work focuses on cross-border collaboration and investment across technology, healthcare, logistics, consumer goods and other sectors connecting Hong Kong and the United States.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Evelyn Y.K. Lee
Founder & Managing Partner, Vine Ventures Corp.
Private investor and international entrepreneur with two decades of experience across private equity, venture investment, capital raising, corporate development and cross-border transactions. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Evelyn has worked across Asia, North America and Europe and brings an international perspective to investment, entrepreneurship and market development.
Helen H. Liang, PhD
Founder & Managing Partner, FoundersX Ventures
Founder of a Silicon Valley-based AI-first venture capital firm with more than $800 million in AUM. Helen invests across full-stack AI, including AI chips, robotics, physical AI foundation models and agentic AI. Her selected investments include SpaceX, World Labs, Turion Space and Universal Quantum. She is a board director, Stanford guest lecturer and TechCrunch speaker.
Brett Bunnell, Esq.
Partner, Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP
Corporate attorney and outside general counsel advising founders, startups and privately held companies from formation through fundraising, growth and exit. His practice spans corporate structuring, securities, data privacy, fintech, Web3 and technology companies, with a focus on helping businesses navigate complex legal and regulatory environments.
Porter Wong
Founder & Executive Director, CleanLeap
Technology, climate and startup ecosystem leader working across innovation, sustainability and commercialization. Porter leads ClimateLaunchPad-USA, serves as Mentor Co-Chair of Cleantech Open and advises Google's Startups for Sustainable Development program. His career includes senior roles with four technology startups—two that went public and two acquired by Fortune 500 companies.
Joe Tolzmann
Founder & CEO, RocketPlan Technologies
Award-winning entrepreneur and founder of an AI-enabled workflow automation platform serving property restoration, insurance, inspection and the built environment. After scaling a restoration company to more than 100 employees, Joe turned firsthand industry challenges into technology. RocketPlan is now expanding from North America into Hong Kong's regulated building inspection and compliance market.
MODERATED BY
Alina Aeby, PhD
Founder & President, Silicon Valley PropTech Association | CEO & Co-Founder, Data Pulse
Global entrepreneur and ecosystem builder connecting Silicon Valley with Asia-Pacific and emerging markets across technology, capital and economic development. As CEO & Co-Founder of Data Pulse, she is building scalable data infrastructure to unlock liquidity and expand access to finance in emerging property markets.
Martin Kirkwood
Vice President, Silicon Valley PropTech Association
Entrepreneur and civic innovator working across AI, sustainability, PropTech, real estate and public policy. His work spans technology-enabled urban development, strategic city partnerships and immersive geospatial platforms, with a focus on how data, technology and public-private collaboration shape future cities.
PROGRAM
4:30–5:00 PM
Arrival, Registration & Networking
5:00–5:05 PM
Welcome — Silicon Valley PropTech Association
5:05–5:10 PM
Venue Welcome — Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP
5:10–5:20 PM
HKTDC Opening Perspective — Chi Tran
5:20–6:20 PM
Featured Panel — The Pacific Innovation Corridor: Beyond the Headlines
6:20–6:30 PM
Audience Q&A & Final Reflections
6:30–7:00 PM
Networking & Refreshments
PRESENTED BY
Silicon Valley PropTech Association (SVPA)
A San Francisco-based innovation ecosystem connecting technology, real estate, digital infrastructure, investment and economic development across global markets.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH & SPONSORED BY
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
HKTDC promotes Hong Kong's international trade and business connections and supports companies exploring opportunities across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and international markets.
VENUE HOST
Cole-FriEMAN & Mallon LLP
201 California Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, California
ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS
FIABCI-USA • Hong Kong Business Association of Northern California • Global Invest Forum • OffChain
About US:
Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the statutory organization promoting Hong Kong's international trade and business. Through global offices and flagship events such as the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) and InnoEX, HKTDC connects companies, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators with opportunities across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and international markets
Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP (CFM) is a leading investment management law firm known for providing top-tier, innovative, and collaborative legal solutions for complex financial services matters. CFM services start-up investment managers, multibillion-dollar funds, and everything in between.
The firm’s corporate and intellectual property (IP) practice groups also advise early-stage startups to later staged companies valued in the billions and the business innovators and investors who run and fund them, including: global comprehensive and strategic IP counsel and legal services, delivering tailored solutions and robust protections for developments and inventions, brands, digital assets, AI technologies, designs, know-how, and more; and advising companies and investors during all stages of the corporate lifecycle across emerging industries, from formation to exit, such as fundraising rounds, mergers and acquisitions, securities compliance, joint ventures, corporate clean-up and due diligence, employment matters, corporate tax matters, etc.
Silicon Valley PropTech Association (SVPA) is a San Francisco–based nonprofit innovation ecosystem connecting technology, real estate, digital infrastructure, investment and economic development. SVPA builds partnerships between Silicon Valley and global markets through thought leadership, cross-border collaboration, executive dialogues and industry initiatives that foster innovation and sustainable economic growth.