Exclusive | Hong Kong an ideal fundraising hub for AI start-ups helped by its connector role, large pool of wealthy investors: European venture firm
- Former French Consul General in Hong Kong Arnaud Barthelemy is now partner of AI focused investment firm AIC, which is raising funds in the city
- Hong Kong has a very deep pool of capital and plays a connector role in Asia, which makes it an ideal fundraising hub for AI start-ups, says Barthelemy
Hong Kong can be a fundraising hub for AI start-ups as it has deep capital pools and plays a connector role in Asia, and the government could add to the allure by developing a local technology ecosystem, according to a European venture capital firm focused on investing in artificial intelligence (AI).
Luxembourg-based Alpha Intelligence Capital’s (AIC) partner Arnaud Barthelemy held meetings with prominent Hong Kong family offices and individual investors last week to raise funds for the firm’s second AI-focused fund, which aims to raise a total of US$250 million.
Barthelemy is no stranger to Hong Kong. He was the French Consul General in Hong Kong from 2011 until 2015, after which he quit politics to join the financial sector. His return to the city last week confirmed his positive view on Hong Kong’s credentials as a fundraising hub.
“Hong Kong has a very deep pool of capital as the city boasts a large number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals,” Barthelemy told the Post in an exclusive interview. “This is why I am here to meet with investors and wealthy families.”
Ultra-high-net-worth individuals refer to those who own at least US$30 million in assets.
