FOSUN INTERNATIONAL: Fosun Launches Fourth Edition of Its Acceleration Program "Protechting"

Fosun International issued the following announcement on July 3.

Fosun and its portfolio companies Fidelidade, Luz Saude and  Hauck & Aufhauser launched the fourth edition of the startups acceleration program - Protechting - which aims to support the development of international projects which contribute to improve the protection of people in strategic areas, such as Healthtech, Insurtech and Fintech, but with an increased concern on sustainable development issues.

The Protechting program, developed with the support of Beta-i, aims to foster a culture of innovation acceptance and development, enabling access to important resources for the evolution and materialization of business ideas.

As a result of the first three editions, 33 startup pilot projects continue to maintain collaboration with Fosun's portfolio companies and, so far, five startups have signed commercial agreements, contributing to the creation and implementation of innovative solutions.

Following the success of previous editions, this fourth edition, dedicated to the promotion of international entrepreneurship, strengthens its global scope. Luz Saude, one of the largest Portuguese health care groups, will reinforce its participation in the program, as well as the German private bank Hauck & Aufhauser. The Peruvian insurer La Positiva Seguros y Reaseguros will join for the first time.

In this edition of the acceleration program, Fosun and its portfolio companies also aim to attract Healthtech, Insurtech and Fintech that bring a sustainable approach to their business model.

In order to continue to attract global startups, Protechting 4.0 will also promote international scouting activities during the scouting phase, together with partners and in entrepreneurial events in South America, Africa, Europe, Chinese Mainland and Chinese Macao.

According to Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun, "Innovation makes the world develop and human beings progress. For companies, the importance of innovation is even more evident. Through Protechting, startups are bringing innovation in areas Fosun and its portfolio companies can all relate to. As long as we really invest more in innovation, we will have more opportunities in the future".

Jorge Magalhaes Correia, CEO of Fidelidade and Global Partner of Fosun states "with the launch of Protechting 4.0 we consolidate our program in the international context, extending the geographic scope to the countries and regions where Fidelidade is present, such as Peru and Macao. This year's edition will also focus on social entrepreneurship, seeking to integrate startups with added value to the community in terms of social sustainability".

For Isabel Vaz, CEO of Luz Saude, "As a key partner of the Protechting Program, the Hospital da Luz Learning Health has ensured and promoted connections between startups and health professionals with obvious success, achieving effective results in creating value for patients. Protechting 4.0 allows us to continue to be close to the most innovative solutions in the areas of international healthcare and health management. It is a challenge to which we are proud to be associated from the beginning".

"At H&A we strongly believe in the value of entrepreneurship and we are a proud partner of this year's edition. Protechting provides the unique opportunity to accelerate change and to turn ideas into action. We look forward to best-in-class RegTech and WealthTech solutions supporting us on our digital transformation", Michael Bentlage, CEO of Hauck & Aufhauser, stated.

The applications of the fourth edition of Protechting will be open from July to September. The selection phase will take place between September and October and the Pitch Day to access the Bootcamp will take place in November.

Protechting 4.0's top three final projects will be awarded a roadshow in China, with access to some of the world's largest investors. The winner, with the best business project, will  be awarded with a monetary prize of 10 thousand euros.

Positioning itself more and more as an international acceleration program reference, Protechting has staged three editions and attracted a total of 494 startups from 42 countries.

Original source can be found here.