One firm is tapping into the start-up market by preparing businesses for dealings with China.
Intellectual property firm James & Wells signed onto the New Zealand China Innovation Centre as a strategic partner on Monday.
For New Zealand start-ups, the firm said the hungry Chinese market presents a massive opportunity. The new partnership will look to assist New Zealand companies in expanding into China, said Johnathan Chen, head of Division-Asia.
“The Chinese Government is encouraging them to look at investing into really innovative companies, to help increase the level of innovation in China’s economy,” Chen said.
“New Zealand companies are usually very innovative but they are often short on capital.
“Businesses in China have almost the opposite issues to businesses in New Zealand, so working together will be mutually beneficial.”
The firm will provide assistance to businesses associated with the centre, a not-for-profit support centre sponsored by Chinese incubator InnoHub.
“Our services include a dedicated Asia Division, which makes it a natural fit and builds on James & Wells’ existing work helping New Zealanders prepare for doing business in China,” he said, adding that the partnership will be fluid, evolving according to client need.
“Besides our IP and commercial expertise, we have an excellent understanding of the market in China and what Kiwis need to be aware of before doing business there. It is especially important that these companies are IP ready.”
Chen said that the firm is already doing work with Kiwi companies in preparation for doing business with China, but that the new partnership will provide a new platform for start-ups.
“The partnership enables James & Wells to provide existing clients with a new platform to access international markets,” Chen told NZ Lawyer.
“It is an exciting prospect for us to work with more high-growth companies, getting to know these new businesses and essentially acting as part of their mentoring team.”
