Web3 and AI are continually giving rise to new products, business models and entrepreneurial opportunities.
But for those who are actually building projects, what is often scarce now is no longer information, but high-quality people, genuine and effective exchange, and resource connections that can truly move things forward.
The same is true for investment institutions, industry organizations and entrepreneurial service platforms. How to continuously discover teams with potential, how to engage with new entrepreneurial directions earlier, and how to create genuinely effective connections between resources and projects are becoming increasingly important questions.
On this basis, Mankun Law Firm and CAI Buildingjointly launch the "NEXT Founders Program".
This is a long-term entrepreneurial ecosystem program for founders in AI, Web3 and the new economy.
Not a forum, but an ongoing entrepreneurial setting
The "NEXT Founders Program" does not wish to hold another traditional event that ends after sitting through presentations and exchanging business cards.
In each session, we will focus on a topic that founders truly care about and invite founders, investors and industry participants into the same small-scale exchange setting.
We discuss real problems, look at real projects, and leave participants with enough time to get to know one another.
The event adheres to three principles throughout: valuable topics, real entrepreneurial projects, and sufficient time for exchange.
Future topics may include:
What new Web3 entrepreneurial opportunities are emerging in Hong Kong?
At what stage is a project better suited for fundraising?
What new entrepreneurial directions exist at the intersection of AI and Web3?
We are looking for three types of partners
Co-initiating and ecosystem partners
We sincerely invite investment institutions, angel investors, AI/Web3 industry organizations, entrepreneurship platforms, incubators, university innovation and entrepreneurship organizations, and entrepreneurship service providers to join us.
You can participate in the "Visionary Program" through project referrals, guest invitations, joint recruitment, co-creation of themes, event promotion, and other means.
We hope even more that this is not a simple logo partnership, but a group of people who have long focused on entrepreneurship and are willing to share resources, working together to build this ecosystem.
High-quality AI and Web3 entrepreneurial projects
Each event plans to open 1 to 2 high-quality early-stage projects for on-site micro-demonstrations.
This is not a formal roadshow. Entrepreneurial teams can more easily introduce what they are doing, why they are doing it, and what problems they are currently encountering, and can also communicate directly with on-site investors, entrepreneurs, and industry partners.
We want genuinely interesting projects to be seen earlier, and we want projects to find the people who may truly help them move forward.
Founders, investors and industry partners
If you are working on projects related to AI, Web3 or the new economy, are looking for new entrepreneurial opportunities, are following early-stage projects, or hope to meet some of the people who are truly on the front lines, you are also welcome to apply to participate.
The first session will not pursue headcount. What we care about more is whether the participants are suitable, whether the projects are real, and whether the exchanges are valuable.
Having the right people matters more than having more people.
What can the two initiators offer?
CAI Building
CAI Building is not only a venue for events, but also an important entrepreneurial ecosystem carrier in Hong Kong for the "Visionary Program."
Relying on local Hong Kong space and entrepreneurial resources, it can, on a continuing basis in the future, provide projects with scenarios for founder exchanges, opportunities for project presentation, connections between investors and projects, entrepreneurial space and linkages to relevant industry resources.
For outstanding entrepreneurial projects that meet the relevant conditions, further exploration of office space and entrepreneurial resource support is also possible.
Mankun Law Firm
Mankun has long served Web3, artificial intelligence, digital assets, technology finance and new economy enterprises.
Under the Visionary Program, in addition to participating in event planning and ecosystem organization, Mankun will also provide professional support to startup projects in areas including startup equity structures, investment and financing, AI and data compliance, Web3 and digital asset compliance, cross-border expansion, intellectual property, and commercial cooperation.
First Session of the Visionary Program
The first session will invite investment institutions, AI/Web3 industry organizations, startup platforms, and incubation institutions to participate jointly.
Let's build this ecosystem together
The Visionary Program is scheduled to launch in September 2026
What we hope to build over the long term is not merely a series of events, but:
- A stable AI & Web3 startup event brand
- A continuously updated pool of high-quality startup projects
- A network of investment and industry partners engaged over the long term
- An entrepreneur exchange community that continues to grow, starting from Hong Kong
If you are an entrepreneur, investor, or industry partner, or if you have a project that deserves to be seen, you are welcome to join.
Scan the QR code to join the Visionary Program 👆
