Asia Private Equity Forum 2021
The Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) 11th Asia Private Equity Forum (APEF) was convened virtually on January 20, 2021. The annual event featured closed to 70 expert speakers and panelists representing general partners, limited partners and advisors. Its positioning as the region’s premier private equity forum was illustrated by the attendance of 1,000 delegates, more than half of whom were senior level and C-suite executives.
The goal of APEF 2021 is to bring together a multi-disciplinary group of investment professionals, government representatives and industry peers to present and exchange cutting-edge ideas in private capital investment. It aims to promote top level strategizing through keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions and presentations, focusing attention on recent developments and challenges, and engaging in both future gazing as well as substantive discussions around the current practical needs of our industry.
APEF 2021’s theme centered around the pandemic and deglobalization. Without geographic limitations and barriers, speakers from all around the world were able to discuss live the latest opportunities arising within our industry as well as the lessons learned from the unprecedented challenges brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The event program was also designed to ensure vigorous discussion of the current issues that face investors in China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea and Australia. Family offices, US LPs, and specialists in real estate and venture capital had discussions about their investment environment and portfolio allocations in Asia, while participants were provided with the very latest regulatory updates, in particular on the new LPF regime and climate change disclosures. This year also featured, for the very first time, discussions covering diversity, inclusion, and career advancement. APEF 2021 and the HKVCA were honored as well to have hosted a series of fireside chats with Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman & CEO of Sinovation Ventures, and Brian Gu, Vice Chairman & President of XPENG Motors, on the future of AI and autonomous driving in PE and VC investing, and likewise to have hosted Robin Xing, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, who delivered a most noteworthy keynote presentation on dual circulation, decoupling, and delisting.
We would like to thank all attendees, including many who joined from time zones around the world. Our most sincere appreciation extends also to our generous sponsors, whose substantial contributions and support made this year’s event possible. We really look forward to seeing all of you in person once again at next year’s APEF.