What Makes Asia a Hotbed for Startups and Investments? Most of the world's innovation will come out of this region by 2050, believes Jeff Katz of HARDWARE.co
By Pooja Singh •
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Over the years, Asia has become a key attraction for private equity, venture capitalists and companies looking for growth and innovation. The growing middle class, high penetration of smartphones, a relatively young population and good disposable income are some of the major factors for the growing worldwide interest.
Berlin-based Jeff Katz, a serial entrepreneur who has built teams at startups such as KIWI.KI, which offers safe, keyless entry system for buildings, and big corporates like Telefónica, says people are flocking to Asia for "market access and market potential". "Most of the world's innovation will come out of this region by 2050," says Katz, who founded HARDWARE.co accelerator in 2013 for entrepreneurs, industry professionals and makers focused on hardware products.
During his recent visit to India as part of Startup AsiaBerlin, an initiative of the German government and led by Berlin-based non-governmental organization enpact e.V. that builds networks with startup founders from geographically diverse ecosystems, Katz spoke to us about what makes Asia so special for Germany.
