$1 MILLION GLOBAL STARTUP COMPETITION LAUNCHES: HONG KONG RENEWS QUEST FOR ITS MOST DRIVEN CHANGE-MAKER

Research reveals generation looking to businesses to solve world’s problems

Hong Kong, 13 September 2016: Today Chivas Regal has launched the third year of The Venture, a global search to find and support the next generation of startups that want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. Since Chivas The Venture first launched (2014) over 3,500 social enterprises have applied for the chance to receive a share of the annual $1 million fund. This year, 32 countries across 6 continents are taking part; only the most promising from each country will be selected as a global finalist for the chance to take part in an Accelerator Week programme and travel to the USA for Chivas The Venture final event in July 2017. This is Hong Kong’s third year participating in The Venture, with last year seeing Xania Wong of Jobdoh to the top 12 of the global finals in NYC.

The launch of Chivas The Venture comes off the back of a global report that revealed 95% of young professionals are looking for businesses to take more responsibility in solving global problems*. These findings are further supported by a global survey that confirms people (77%) see big business as the number one driver of positive change for the future**. The survey – that questioned a total of 11,349 people across 10 countries around the world – also found that education (70%) was also considered an important sector when it came to changing the world for the better**.

Chivas The Venture is open to any for-profit-startup that creates both financial value and a positive impact on the lives of others. Last year’s competition saw five Grand Finalists pitch to a panel of judges that included, Eva Longoria, Sonal Shah, Joe Huff and Alexandre Ricard in New York City. Conceptos Plásticos, a Colombian social startup that transforms plastic waste into building materials for vulnerable communities was awarded the largest contribution from The Venture fund, receiving $300,000.

The application period in Hong Kong is open until 20 November. This year, the local judging panel includes: Patricia Dwyer (Founder + Director The Purpose Business), Ming Wong (Founder + CEO Asia Community Ventures + Giinseng), Leong Cheung (Co-founder + Chairman RunOurCity), Jennifer Liu (Founder + CEO Sir Hudson International [The Coffee Academics]), and Frantz Hotton (Managing Director Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau).

At the 13 September Hong Kong launch event, Dan MacCombie, co-founder of, RUNA, spoke about his journey towards successful social entrepreneurship. Runa is a New York based social enterprise that has introduced the world to clean energy drinks, helped the people of the Amazon, and captured the attention of investors such as Channing Tatum and Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau, Frantz Hotton commented on Hong Kong’s participation in The Venture:

"It’s been inspiring to see the evolution of the Social Enterprise scene in Hong Kong. The growth in quality and quantity of applicants is a true testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of our city. Last year we had 22 high quality applicants, striving to solve some of the city’s most pressing issues. This year we expect an even larger increase.”

Hong Kong’s 2016 The Venture Finalist and Founder of JobDoh, Xania Wong commented on her experience with The Venture:

"The Venture was an unforgettable and an incredible experience to propel both my personal and professional growth. I was honored and inspired to meet so many talented and socially conscious entrepreneurs passionate about building a better world! With the newly honed knowledge and network, I strive to build a bigger and better business that creates scalable social impact.”

Chivas The Venture inspires social entrepreneurs and those seeking positive change from around the world to pursue their ambitions and realise their potential. The recent global survey revealed over two-thirds of people (69%) would like to work for a business that has a social conscience**.

Founding Executive Director, Beeck Center For Social Impact & Innovation, Sonal Shah commented on the research:

"The results from the Chivas research highlight a number of trends that have surfaced in our work here at the Beeck Center. It shows that Millennials and Gen Z are hungry, motivated and inspired to positively impact the world. Second, young people believe that business also has a social responsibility not just government. As the world continues to become increasingly networked and collaborative, we have an opportunity to shape it - building cross-sector solutions to our most pressing social and environmental challenges."

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, commented:

“Promoting business as a force for good is a priority for Chivas Regal. There is a clear and growing desire around the world for change; people want to support and associate themselves with companies that are doing more than just making money. Since its launch in 2014, The Venture has already given $2m of funding to aspiring businesses from Chile to Japan, and impacted over 200,000 lives. We are excited to be able to pledge another $1m this year to help the next generation of global entrepreneurs make a difference.”

Chivas Regal is a global leading super premium whisky with a combination of entrepreneurial thinking and generosity at its heart. Chivas The Venture is inspired by the founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who realised early on that success is much richer when we share it with others. To apply for Chivas The Venture or find out about the impact the competition is already making across the world visit www.theventure.com.

JOBDOH IS ANNOUNCED AS A GLOBAL FINALIST OF CHIVAS REGAL’S THE VENTURE

A SEARCH FOR THE WORLD’S MOST PROMISING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

JOBDOH has been selected as one of 28 startups from across the world to be a finalist for The Venture, Chivas Regal’s global search to find and support the most promising social entrepreneurs who aim to succeed in business, whilst having a positive impact on the lives of others.

JOBDOH has been chosen to represent Hong Kong in the upcoming final of The Venture. Xania Wong, co-founder of JOBDOH will travel to New York City in July to compete for a share of The Venture’s US$1 million fund. The 28 global finalists will have a chance to pitch in front of an expert panel of judges who are looking for businesses that can offer scalable and sustainable solutions to real world issues.

JOBDOH, a smart data-driven booking platform for temporary workers, connects and matches employers to temp staff anytime, anywhere. With a location based and smart screening mechanism, JOBDOH's record in getting the right candidate from job posting to the work premise is under 1.5 hours. While employers can enjoy both speed and quality, workers benefit from flexibility to earn an income quickly and an improved upward mobility by recording and showcasing their track record directly in the app.

Frantz Hotton, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau said: “This year we had 22 applicants for The Venture in Hong Kong. The competition was tough as there are so many industrious local social entrepreneurs making great changes. In the end, we chose JOBDOH to represent Hong Kong at the global finals because of their potential to make a positive global impact on underemployment.”

Xania Wong said: “I am so excited to move on to the next stage of Chivas Regal’s The Venture. This platform and support will help me to expand JOBDOH and better improve the livelihood of others.”

A notable mention was given to short listed venture, LaLa Curio and founder Laura Cheung,  for the impact she is making on the lives of traditional Chinese artisans, by bringing their crafts to a global stage. LaLa Curio Generations is a curated digital platform for Chinese traditional crafts. Through artisan discovery, education, quality curation, and marketing, LaLa Curio plans to preserve Chinese cultural heritage for future generations.

JOBDOH was selected at a live pitch event held at Duddell’s in Central Hong Kong on 14 January. At the event, five shortlisted local entrepreneurs pitched their ideas for change in front of an audience made up of fellow social entrepreneurs, investors, and a panel of judges. Guests enjoyed a specially curated ‘Start-up’ Chivas Regal cocktail series, featuring “The Hacker”, “The Hustler”, and “The Hipster”. Created by Hong Kong’s local Chivas Master, Dave Lam, “The Hipster” is, a blend of Chivas 12, Luxardo maraschino, Fernet branca, and orange bitters. “The Hipster” will now be available at Quinary, for those looking to experience their own taste of The Venture.

Ahead of the global finals, the competitors will take part in The Venture’s Accelerator Week hosted at University of Oxford by The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. Embedded within the world-renowned Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, The Skoll Centre has created an inspirational and transformative programme featuring opportunities for the finalists to develop leadership skills, take part in practical workshops and be inspired by global experts on critical topics that affect social enterprises.

With over US$1 million in funding and resources, The Venture enables social entrepreneurs from around the world to realize their potential and gain exposure for their business. For more information about JobDOH and Chivas Regal’s ongoing support for social enterprise visit https://www.theventure.com.

CHIVAS REGAL LAUNCHES THE VENTURE II WITH OVER US$1 MILLION OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR HONG KONG’S MOST DRIVEN CHANGE-MAKERS

Scott Lawson of SOW Asia, Philo Alto of AVA, and Doris Leung of Diamond Cab

[September 22, Hong Kong]  – Chivas Regal, the world’s original luxury whisky, today announced the launch of The Venture II – a global search for social entrepreneurs whose businesses and ideas use enterprise and innovation to inspire positive social change. Locally, The Venture II represents a renewed quest for Hong Kong’s most driven change-makers. The Venture was first launched in 2014 and propelled Hong Kong’s Diamond Cab to the finals in San Francisco, USA. This year, Chivas Regal Hong Kong will host a series of inspiring events in the lead-up to the selection of a finalist who will represent Hong Kong’s best social enterprises globally.

The Venture II is an initiative with an international focus on providing aspiring social entrepreneurs with US$1 million of financial assistance, global exposure for their company or idea, and support from world-famous business mentors. Chivas Regal will provide mentorship and financial backing to those who aim to succeed in business whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. Up to 20 of the most promising social entrepreneurs from around the world will be invited to the Accelerator Week in Silicon Valley, California – home to some of the world’s leading start-ups. These finalists will meet with leading tech companies, receive mentorship from experts, and then pitch for a portion of the US$1 million in funding to create and advance transformative and positive social change.

The inaugural year of The Venture saw more than a thousand social entrepreneurs apply for US$1million in funding and sent Hong Kong’s Doris Leung of Diamond cab to the Accelerator Week and The Final Pitch event in San Francisco. During Accelerator Week, the 16 global finalists polished their pitches and engaged in discussions, hosted by inspirational leaders such as Moving Brands, Google, and Duarte. The finalists pitched the potential of their start-up to an expert judging panel that included actor and social entrepreneur Adrian Grenier. Algramo from Chile was awarded the largest share of the fund, receiving US$300,000 to further develop the pioneering food distribution enterprise.

Registration for The Venture II is straightforward.  Hong Kong applicants need to complete the registration form at www.TheVenture.com. The Venture II is open to the public; it is not limited to those who own a company. The hopeful entrepreneur without a company can also pitch their idea by submitting a video (max. 2 min.) or a presentation deck introducing the business and describing how the business works. The business must aim to affect positive social change; such as a tangible contribution to the betterment of others, or our environment, etc. All applications must be submitted by November 20, 2015 (Friday).

On October 20th, Chivas Hong Kong will host a dynamic Town Hall discussion hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Yana Peel that will offer Hong Kong entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain specific and poignant advice from industry-leaders, and opportunities to meet like-minded peers and mentors. In January, five Hong Kong finalists will be invited to present their visions to a panel of judges, each of whom will evaluate the plan for its ability to create impactful social change through a financially viable business model that has potential to scale. The judging panel will consist of local leaders who have successfully navigated the business world. The business that demonstrates the most potential to remain successful while generating positive change will be showcased on www.TheVenture.com. Here, applicants will be able to view short documentaries about other social entrepreneurs from around the world, providing insights into their success, as well as articles with advice and features about the business of ‘doing good’. Starting on April 2016, TheVenture.com will offer the public a chance to judge the finalists through voting and crowd-sourced funding.

Richard Black, Global Brand Director, Chivas Regal, says: “Chivas Regal has continuously invested their profits into others like them; those who are committed to making a positive impact on society. The brand is not only committed to crafting their world-famous whisky, but also to inspiring profound and positive changes in global communities. Chivas Regal is dedicated to passing on their socially-responsible beliefs and values to the next generation, inspiring them, and educating them on the importance of pursuing business initiatives as a force for good.”

With over a million US dollars in funding and resources provided by Chivas Regal, The Venture II will enable promising and aspiring social entrepreneurs from around the world to realize their idea’s potential, gain exposure for their business, and begin making the positive impact our world needs.

To find out how to pitch your idea for social change, visit www.TheVenture.com.