Peter Helis Returns to Macau as Keynote Speaker at the 929 Challenge Bootcamp

11 hours ago

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MACAU — Independent strategic advisor Peter Helis returned to the 929 Challenge Bootcamp for a second consecutive year, delivering a keynote at the opening of the 2026 program. The bootcamp brought together an international cohort of founders representing 12 countries and regions across China and the Portuguese-speaking world.

The 929 Challenge connects entrepreneurial talent with the industrial and financial resources of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), helping founders explore opportunities across markets.

Navigating the Greater Bay Area

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in Greater China—including seven years serving as International Executive Representative for Invest Guangzhou and Chief Advisor to Guangzhou Huangpu District—Helis provided a practical briefing on the GBA’s business landscape.

Now working independently with European companies on China strategy, government engagement, and market access, he focused on the decisions founders face when entering the region: how to approach the market, structure cross-border operations, and engage local partners.

The opening-day program also featured contributions from:

Miguel Pombo, Co-founder of Azores Life Science and a 2025 929 Challenge finalist, who shared insights into navigating research and development challenges and managing cross-border biotechnology collaboration.
Vitor Ferreira, General Manager of Startup Leiria, who explored Portugal’s startup ecosystem and its role as a launchpad for European and global expansion.

From Market Insight to Practical Execution

With an emphasis on practical preparation and peer-to-peer learning, the bootcamp helps participating teams turn international ambitions into clearer market-entry plans.

Helis’s contribution reinforced that focus: translating the GBA’s complex business environment into actionable considerations for founders building connections between China, Portuguese-speaking countries, and wider international markets.