As the venture capital world recalibrates amid global uncertainty, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) 2025 returns on November 6-7 under the theme “The Innovation–Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success”. PHOTO: CYBERPORT
Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) 2025 Returns Under the Theme "The Innovation–Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success"
Updated
November 3, 2025 9:17 PM
As the venture capital world recalibrates amid global uncertainty, Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF) 2025 returns on November 6-7 under the theme “The Innovation–Venture Nexus: Igniting Transformative Success”. PHOTO: CYBERPORT
The two-day forum will once again bring together global and local leaders to explore how technology, capital and collaboration intersect to drive the next wave of growth. Entrepreneurs, investors and innovators will exchange insights on artificial intelligence, digital assets and Web 3.0—technologies that are reshaping industries and redefining both risk and opportunity.
As industries face challenges from geopolitical shifts, regulatory changes and market volatility, CVCF will serve as a platform to address a defining question: How can innovation remain bold and visionary in an ever-evolving funding landscape? Through keynotes, panel discussions and interactive sessions, the forum will spotlight the transformative potential of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Web 3.0 and digital assets while offering practical strategies to turn disruption into market advantage.
With investor matching, power pitches, start-up clinics and workshops, CVCF 2025 offers a front-row seat to emerging markets across Asia, the Middle East, the United States and Europe, connecting forward-thinking investors with visionary entrepreneurs. It is not just a conference—it’s a bridge between ideas and investment designed to ignite breakthroughs and foster growth in the global innovation ecosystem. It provides a unique platform for startups and investors to navigate the complexities of today’s economy while seizing new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
To preview the conversations ahead, three speakers share perspectives on trends shaping the future of innovation, investment and entrepreneurship, setting the stage for the discussions that will unfold at CVCF 2025.
Co-founder and CEO, AIFT
Session: Riding the Middle East Momentum — Capitalizing Unique Innovation and Investment Strengths
As the Middle East accelerates its shift from oil dependence toward digital diversification, the region is becoming a focal point for blockchain and AI investment. In his upcoming session, Alvin Kwock will explore the region’s innovation potential — and here, he shares some of his views on the opportunities shaping that transformation.
Alvin Kwock, co-founder and CEO of AIFT, oversees operations across three verticals: AI and cybersecurity (Vulcan and Cymetrics), blockchain (OneInfinity and OneSavie) and pet and B2C (OneDegree). With local operations spanning Asia and the Middle East, AIFT is expanding rapidly.
When asked about the Middle East’s rapid rise as a global innovation hub, Kwock said that the region is shifting from a petroleum-dependent economy to one increasingly diversified through technology and innovation, with markets advancing blockchain and AI technologies. AIFT is prioritizing expansion in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where AI investment and regulatory openness create immense potential. Hong Kong’s expertise in financial risk management acts as a “confidence anchor” for international markets, allowing AIFT to deliver compliant solutions tailored for emerging markets while developing Sharia-compliant, regulation-aligned technologies.
“Hong Kong’s storied expertise in financial risk management acts as a ‘confidence anchor’ for international markets.”
He also noted that the region’s accelerating digital adoption opens unique opportunities for AI, insurtech and fintech. The UAE and Bahrain’ embrace of virtual assets, combined with Hong Kong’s proven frameworks, provide a foundation for localized solutions. By integrating risk oversight and regulatory best practices, AIFT supports stable market growth and delivers specialized insurance to enhance resilience in emerging markets.
On managing geopolitical risk, Kwock explained that AIFT mitigates exposure through local partnerships, regulatory alignment and cultural understanding. By hiring Arab employees and ensuring operations align with Islamic values, AIFT strengthens Hong Kong–Middle East collaboration. This approach, he said, offers a blueprint for startups: prioritize local engagement and flexibility to balance risk and growth.
Founder, Hash Global Advisory Company Ltd.
Session: From Hype to Holdings — Where Smart Money Goes in Digital Assets 2025–2027
With institutional frameworks for Web 3.0 maturing, investors are increasingly focused on sustainable value creation. In his session, Kang Shen will discuss how smart capital is moving beyond speculation toward real-world utility—themes echoed in his reflections shared ahead of the forum.
Kang Shen, founder of Hash Global Advisory, applies value-investing principles to the Web 3.0 sector. A graduate of Fudan University and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Shen has more than 20 years of financial industry experience with roles at the Industrial Bank of Japan, PIMCO and Bosera Asset Management.
On the tokenization of real-world assets, Shen observed that the RWA sector remains in its early phase of regulatory and infrastructure development. Over the next two years, as compliance systems mature, scalable projects with tangible value will emerge. For now, his approach remains cautious, focusing on fundamentals rather than inflated market narratives.
He also shared his optimism for three areas with the most potential upside: Web 3.0 Culture and Entertainment—including projects like Meet48 and Offgrid; Web 3.0 E-Commerce and Payments—with ventures such as WSPN, RD Technologies and Bitgoods; and On-Chain Data and Data Assets—such as Chainbase and Data Dance Chain. These, he noted, represent meaningful real-world applications of Web 3.0 technologies.
“Web 3.0 is currently undergoing a process of value realignment.”
Shen emphasized that Hash Global has always been committed to applying value-investing principles to the field of digital asset management. As early as 2019, the firm proposed using a monetary equation framework to evaluate ecosystem tokens and recently defined a new class—“Value-Functional Tokens”. He believes Web 3.0 is now undergoing a process of value realignment, where genuine utility will determine long-term worth.
Founder and CEO, Zhejiang Linctex Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (Style3D)
Session: Strategic Exits — IPO Paths for Expanding Rapid-Growth Companies
The fashion and textile industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation. Against this backdrop, Eric Liu will join CVCF 2025 to discuss strategic growth and expansion paths for fast-scaling companies.
Eric Liu, founder and CEO of Zhejiang Linctex Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (Style3D), holds dual master’s degrees in applied computing and molecular biology from VUB University in Belgium and a PhD in Electronic Information Engineering from Zhejiang University. A serial entrepreneur in the textile industry, Liu founded Style3D to drive digital transformation through AI and 3D technology.
He explained that Style3D’s fusion of AI and 3D technology builds a full-chain digital ecosystem. AI-driven design tools powered by large language models shorten design cycles from weeks to hours, while 3D simulation reduces prototyping costs by 30 percent. The company’s self-developed simulation engine supports virtual fashion shows and sustainability initiatives by optimizing fabric usage.
“Style3D’s fusion of AI and 3D technology builds a full-chain digital ecosystem.”
On the company’s origins, Liu said that traditional fashion R&D cycles are slow and costly. By integrating AI for pattern generation and 3D for design-to-production links, Style3D overcomes these barriers. With over 200 core patents and an extensive database of 2.3 million fabric properties and 1.2 million garment templates, the company leads digital fashion innovation.
Looking ahead, Liu noted that Style3D reinvests 40 percent of annual revenue into R&D, develops AI-driven trend prediction tools and expands innovation hubs in Paris and Milan. By leading the standardization of “3D Digital Fashion Infrastructure”, Style3D is setting the industry benchmark for the next era of intelligent manufacturing.
As global innovators prepare to gather at CVCF 2025, the forum promises to ignite ideas, discoveries and partnerships that will shape the future of technology and investment. From cutting-edge insights to practical strategies, the conversations starting here are just the beginning of a journey to redefine what’s possible in the global innovation ecosystem.
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How startups can use nostalgia marketing to build trust, spark loyalty and stand out with storytelling, vintage design and emotional connections.
Updated
November 13, 2025 4:06 PM
Vintage beer pong posters showcasing colorful, diverse designs from different eras in one collection. PHOTO: FREEPIK
Turning the subtle power of nostalgia into meaningful marketing.
Think of nostalgia as a time machine for brands—it doesn’t just take people back; it brings their emotions forward. And emotions sell. For those who are unfamiliar, nostalgia marketing is a strategy where brands use elements from the past—like familiar sights, sounds, or stories—to evoke warm memories and emotional connections with their audience.
This emotional pull isn’t just anecdotal—research shows its real impact: according to The Team and Forbes via The Drum, 80% of millennials and Gen Z are drawn to brands tapping into nostalgia, while 92% of consumers say nostalgic ads feel more relatable. And for startups competing in noisy markets, this is a goldmine.
In this article, we’ll explore why nostalgia marketing can be a game-changing strategy for your company.
Out of all the popular marketing methods—like influencer partnerships or attention-grabbing ad campaigns—nostalgia is unique because its impact starts intrinsically, in the brain. By triggering the release of dopamine, a reward-system neurotransmitter, Nostalgia evokes feelings of warmth, happiness and comfort. Consequently, people don’t just remember a moment—they relive it. Take, for instance, your favorite cereal brand bringing back childhood cartoon characters or using retro fonts and colors. You might choose it over a healthier breakfast option simply because it reminds you of the mornings you enjoyed as a kid. Similarly, speaking of stirring fond memories, Coca-Cola has mastered this effect, using classic holiday ads, vintage packaging, and iconic imagery. Those associations make people see Coke as more than a drink—it’s a familiar feeling they’re willing to pay extra for.
New marketing campaigns can spark curiosity but often trigger skepticism—especially when audiences lack prior connection to the brand. Nostalgia marketing breaks down this barrier by tapping into familiarity, using retro jingles, vintage fonts, pastel colors, or familiar packaging that immediately resonate. This recognition builds an emotional connection and trust with the brand. More importantly, it fosters social connectedness by making consumers feel part of a larger community—giving that reassuring “others remember this too” feeling. As a result, this sense of belonging reduces loneliness, strengthens warmth and trust, and encourages word-of-mouth sharing, naturally amplifying the campaign’s reach and impact.
While luxury brands can afford massive campaigns, startups and small businesses can tap into nostalgia as a cost-effective storytelling tool. In a world where marketing often chases the “next big thing”—from AI to futuristic tech—nostalgia offers the opposite: a chance to revisit the past. More importantly, nostalgia allows brands to stand out in a crowded, fast-scrolling feed by delivering something comfortingly familiar with a fresh twist. Think of Polaroid: in an age where smartphones boast crystal-clear cameras, it wins hearts with pastel hues, a vintage lens, and the tactile charm of instant prints—selling not just images, but a moment that feels straight out of the past.
The same principle worked brilliantly for Tiffany & Co., whose 185-year-old brand refresh featured Jay-Z and Beyoncé in a Breakfast at Tiffany’s-inspired campaign, blending timeless charm with contemporary star power and racking up millions of views. In essence, when done right, nostalgia doesn’t just market a product—it invites people to relive a story they already love.
Nostalgia resonates across generations speaking to diverse audiences. For Millennials, it’s a chance to relive the cultural touchpoints of their youth, while Gen Z approaches it with curiosity, eager to explore eras they never experienced firsthand. This crossover creates a unique marketing sweet spot: one group is driven by memory, the other by discovery. Pokémon proves this power by keeping lifelong fans engaged through retro trading cards while introducing younger audiences to its history. Similarly, Nike used nostalgia to bridge two different generations by reissuing retro classics, keeping both longtime fans and new sneakerheads excited. By appealing to both memory and curiosity, brands can create lasting connections that keep different generations engaged at once.
Nostalgia can be your startup’s non-cliché marketing mantra. Imagine a small bookstore that offers handwritten recommendation cards designed like vintage library checkout slips. This simple touch invites customers to slow down and rediscover the joy of reading. Or picture a local coffee shop serving drinks in mugs inspired by classic diner ware, evoking comforting memories of simpler times. Overall, the lesson is clear: combining nostalgic design with stories that connect people to shared moments creates emotional warmth and trust. Thoughtful nostalgia turns everyday products into meaningful experiences—building loyal communities eager to return.