In late July 2018, the LA-Chengdu ACE Program implemented a matchmaking roadshow with five US-based companies to multiple cities in China, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Foshan, and Beijing. Companies who attended were carefully selected based on the ability to bring a strong business entity to China, meet market needs, and expand their own ventures.
The exploratory trip included company leaders from Octopie Network (animation), Vezt (fan-based music rights investment), Interpret (market research), Rethink Leisure & Entertainment (themed entertainment), and Columbia College Hollywood (education). At each location, these companies met with potential collaborators, partners, investors, and local government resources with the goal of establishing a presence in the Chinese market. Based on initial response from the trip, several companies are already planning to open offices in Chengdu, while others are forming joint ventures with Chinese partners.
Chengdu, one of the most rapidly-developing tech cities in China, is also known as the Center of the Creative Industry for the region. Similar to the Los Angeles tech ecosystem, Chengdu has established software, games, animation, digital media, information technology, aviation, and other technological industries, making it an ideal destination for US companies to enter the Chinese market.