Join us at CVCF 2026 to explore how startups can scale and win in the age of AI.
Updated
October 29, 2026 11:39 PM
CVCF 2026 takes place on 4–5 November at Cyberport, Hong Kong. IMAGE: CYBERPORT
AI can help you build a startup, but it won’t automatically make you stand out. When everyone has access to similar tools, you need to give customers a reason to choose you and investors a reason to back you. So, how do you turn innovation into a competitive edge?
That question sits at the heart of Cyberport Venture & Capital Forum (CVCF) 2026, taking place on 4–5 November under the theme “Scaling in a Changing World: Winning the Next Competitive Cycle” and the message “Scale Up & Win.”
The two-day forum will feature more than 80 speakers discussing venture investment, AI-driven growth, emerging technologies and expansion into new markets. Day 1 will explore global investment trends and the next wave of innovation. Day 2 will feature CVCF 2026’s spotlight event, the Agentic Economy Summit, examining how agentic AI and digital assets could reshape business and finance. The wider programme will also include investor matching, founder pitches, 100+ Innovator Showcase, startup workshops and clinics.
With founders and investors navigating a fast-changing technology landscape, CVCF 2026 will explore what it takes to stay competitive, scale into new markets and turn emerging opportunities into business growth. Here’s a look at the key programmes lined up for this year’s forum.
Keynotes and Panels: Finding the Next Big Opportunity
Taara founder and CEO Mahesh Krishnaswamy will deliver the keynote The Innovation Playbook: Capitalizing on Moonshots and Faster Cycles in the Age of AI. The wider Day 1 programme will cover global investment trends, expansion into new markets, agentic AI and one-person companies.
For startups navigating the AI market, the panel Mastering the AI Bubble: Capital Rerouting and How Global Champions Stand Out will bring together panellists from Quona Capital, Alumni Ventures, FOV Ventures and Capital6 to discuss how investors assess startups and distinguish commercial potential from market hype. Other sessions will explore emerging technologies beyond AI software, including embodied AI, advanced computing and commercial aerospace.
Investor Matching and Networking: Connecting with Capital
Away from the conference sessions, MatchEasy will help founders and investors arrange one-to-one meetings, either onsite or online. Confirmed participants will receive access to the platform to explore potential matches and schedule meetings.
Investors can also discover local and international startups through the Founder Pitch programme, where entrepreneurs present their projects and ventures. Meanwhile, the Innovator Showcase offers a separate opportunity to explore emerging technology solutions through a virtual platform and selected on-site exhibits.
For founders seeking more tailored guidance, the Startup Clinics will offer one-to-one discussions with industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs on business challenges, fundraising and growth. Advance registration is required.
Hands-On Workshops: Strengthening Your Investment Pitch
Turning an innovative idea into a business that investors can back takes more than a strong pitch. CVCF 2026 will host practical workshops to help founders strengthen their fundraising strategies and make a stronger case to investors.
Led by Capital6 advisor Christine Keung, one workshop will explore how founders can align technical innovation with business goals, communicate their product’s value and prepare for fundraising. Another, led by Jeremy Dalton, advisor at FOV Ventures and SXSW Pitch, will help founders understand how investors assess startups, with opportunities to pitch live and receive direct feedback.
CVCF 2026’s spotlight event, the Agentic Economy Summit, will take place on 5 November under the theme “Intelligent Frontiers, Tokenised Horizons: Where Agentic AI Reshapes Business and Digital Assets Redefine How Value Moves.”
The summit will bring together technology and finance leaders to explore how agentic AI and digital assets could change the way businesses operate. Wolf Ruzicka, chief commercial officer at Unlimit, a global payments company, will discuss building and scaling agentic AI applications. Dr Feng Xiao, chairman and CEO of HashKey Group, will examine how digital identity, tokenised assets and money connect on-chain.
The discussions will also look at agent-led commerce, including how AI agents could help customers choose products and make purchases, and the payment systems needed to support these transactions. Other topics include Hong Kong dollar stablecoins and their potential role in payments and settlement, as well as the rise of one-person companies. The summit will also explore how founders can use AI agents to run their businesses with smaller teams, find customers and generate recurring revenue.
From AI-driven growth and cross-border investment to agentic AI and digital assets, CVCF 2026 brings together the people and ideas shaping the next phase of business. Whether you're preparing to raise capital, exploring new markets or assessing emerging technologies, the forum offers an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and connect with investors, founders and industry leaders.
Exclusive for Ventureport readers: Use the promotional code cvcf26vp to access a Full Access Pass for HK$300, subject to confirmation of the offer by the organiser.
Date: 4–5 November 2026
Function Rooms, Level 3, Core E, Cyberport 3, Hong Kong
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With Phia’s AI, the new luxury is knowing what’s worth buying
Updated
February 10, 2026 12:56 PM
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, founders of Phia. PHOTO: PHIA
AI has transformed how we shop—predicting trends, powering virtual try-ons and streamlining fashion logistics. Yet some of the biggest pain points remain: endless scrolling, too many tabs and never knowing if you’ve overpaid. That’s the gap Phia aims to close.
Co-founded by Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill Gates, and climate activist Sophia Kianni, Phia was born in a Stanford dorm room and launched in April 2025. The app, available on mobile and as a browser extension, compares prices across over 40,000 retailers and thrift platforms to show what an item really costs. Its hallmark feature, “Should I Buy This?”, instantly flags whether something is overpriced, fair or a genuine deal.
The mission is simple: make shopping smarter, fairer and more sustainable. In just five months, Phia has attracted more than 500,000 users, indexed billions of products and built over 5,000 brand partnerships. It also secured a US$8 million seed round led by Kleiner Perkins, joined by Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner, Sara Blakely and Sheryl Sandberg—investors who bridge tech, retail and culture. “Phia is redefining how people make purchase decisions,” said Annie Case, partner at Kleiner Perkins.
Phia’s AI engine scans real-time data from more than 250 million products across its network, including Vestiaire Collective, StockX, eBay and Poshmark. Beyond comparing prices, the app helps users discover cheaper or more sustainable options by displaying pre-owned items next to new ones—helping users see the full spectrum of choices before they buy. It also evaluates how different brands perform over time, analysing how well their products hold resale value. This insight helps shoppers judge whether a purchase is likely to last in value or if opting for a second-hand version makes more sense. The result is a platform that naturally encourages circular shopping—keeping items in use longer through resale, repair or recycling—and resonates strongly with Gen Z and millennial values of sustainability and mindful spending.
By encouraging transparency and smarter choices, Phia signals a broader shift in consumer technology: one where AI doesn’t just automate decisions but empowers users to understand them. Instead of merely digitizing the act of shopping, Phia embodies data-driven accountability—using intelligent search to help consumers make informed and ethical choices in markets long clouded by complexity. Retail analysts believe this level of visibility could push brands to maintain accurate and competitive pricing. Skeptics, however, argue that Phia must evolve beyond comparison to create emotional connection and loyalty. Still, one fact stands out: algorithms are no longer just recommending what we buy—they’re rewriting how we decide.
With new funding powering GPU expansion and advanced personalization tools, Phia’s next step is to build a true AI shopping agent—one that helps people buy better, live smarter and rethink what it means to shop with purpose.