Brazilian business leaders visited Beijing’s HICOOL industrial park on November 2 to explore investment opportunities and assess potential cooperation with Chinese firms. The delegation, organized by Fundação Dom Cabral (FDC), included executives from over 20 companies across 15 sectors, with nearly half being CEOs or business owners. Notable companies represented included Localiza, Riachuelo, JHSF, and PepsiCo’s Brazilian branch.
HICOOL’s Role in Business Connections
The visit highlighted HICOOL’s role in China’s startup ecosystem, where it facilitates connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and industries. Adriano Maluf Amui, an FDC professor, emphasized that HICOOL helps reduce the costs associated with finding trustworthy partners in international business. He stated, “Platforms like HICOOL reduce the most expensive item in international business: the cost of finding the right partner and trusting them.”
Growth and Support for Startups
Launched in 2020, HICOOL has evolved from a startup competition into a comprehensive entrepreneurship platform. It aims to attract global entrepreneurial talent to Beijing by offering resources directly to entrepreneurs, including capital, policies, and industry scenarios. Wu Yi, Vice Chairman of the Beijing Overseas Talents Association, noted that HICOOL provides essential support rather than merely offering space.
HICOOL’s competition has seen significant participation, with its 2026 edition attracting over 10,000 projects and nearly 13,500 entrepreneurial talents from 141 countries. The platform covers various industries, including AI, biotechnology, and advanced materials, and offers services such as company registration and financing connections.
Success Stories from HICOOL
One notable success is METiS TechBio, an AI-driven drug delivery firm that gained visibility through HICOOL’s competition. After entering in 2022, METiS TechBio secured USD 100 million in Series C financing in 2023 and 2024, which helped solidify its growth. The company went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May, raising over HKD 2.1 billion (USD 270 million), becoming the first publicly listed AI-driven drug delivery company.
Founder Lai Caida credited HICOOL for connecting the entire chain from laboratory to market, stating that without its support, the company might not have reached this level of success.
What HICOOL Offers to Entrepreneurs
HICOOL’s comprehensive approach includes business services, an entrepreneurship academy, and access to investment funds and industrial parks. This support is designed to help promising projects advance beyond the initial pitch stage and into successful market operations.
