SVIEF

What SVIEF does

SVIEF (Silicon Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum / 硅谷高创会) is a private, for-profit conference and innovation-ecosystem operator founded in 2011 in Santa Clara, California, and legally organized under SVTIC (Silicon Valley Technology Innovation Club, Inc.). It runs the annual SVIEF Innovation Week — a two-day technology and investment conference featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, startup pitch competitions, and an exhibition floor — and serves four primary customer segments: technology entrepreneurs and startup founders, venture capital and institutional investors, corporate technology sponsors, and government officials from international innovation hubs. Over 11+ years the forum has aggregated 100+ recurring speakers (including Al Gore, Steven Chu, and Tim Draper) and connects 14+ global innovation cities spanning the US, China, Israel, Europe, and Asia.

The platform is built around a virtual conference stack comprising an online expo hall with real-time chat and video streaming, a startup competition module (SVIEF-STAR) supporting virtual roadshows and judging, and an executive-education offering (SVIEF University). The broader product portfolio is an integrated ecosystem of sub-brands: SVIEF-STAR (startup competition), W+Space (accelerator), SVIEF University (executive training), SVIEF Club (membership), and the Top 30 Innovation Awards program. The core technology is described as a virtual conference platform rather than a differentiated software product; no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

SVIEF monetizes through four streams: (1) enterprise sponsorship packages — keynote, panel title, and award sponsorships typically structured as multi-year contracts; (2) conference registration fees, primarily distributed through Eventbrite; (3) startup virtual booth fees priced at a publicly disclosed $200 per startup; and (4) application and participation fees for the Top 30 Innovation Awards. The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, combining global event registration, speaker and investor nomination programs, sponsor sales, and media partnerships with outlets such as 36kr, IEEE, Sina, and Netease. The 9th SVIEF (2019) attracted 13,526 attendees with 23.27% year-over-year growth; the 2020 edition pivoted to a fully virtual format reaching over 1 million online viewers. The 11th edition is scheduled for November 2026 under the theme 'The Path to A Low-carbon Metaverse.'

Name

SVIEF

Legal name

SVTIC (Silicon Valley Technology Innovation Club, Inc.)

Website

https://svief.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SVIEF operates the annual Silicon Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum, a technology and investment conference serving startup founders, venture capitalists, corporate sponsors, and government representatives across 14+ global innovation cities, with integrated sub-brands for startup competitions, accelerators, and executive education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conference and Event Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Innovation conferences
• Startup competitions
• Venture capital networking
• Technology investment forums
• Entrepreneurship events

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship packages including keynote sponsorship, panel title sponsorship, award sponsorship, and exhibiton opportunities. Sponsors receive speaking slots, logo placement, promotional articles, and media coverage.
2. Virtual Expo Booth Fees: Startup virtual booth pricing at $200 per startup for the virtual expo exhibition space.
3. Conference Registration: Ticket-based attendance fees for the annual innovation week conference, with separate registration tracks for global attendees, media, and investors.
4. Top 30 Innovation Awards: Application and participation fees for the annual innovation awards competition, with benefits including website publicity, speaking opportunities, and networking access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SVIEF organizes and manages annual technology and investment conferences that connect entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and government leaders across global innovation hubs. Its core offerings include the annual SVIEF Innovation Week conference, the SVIEF-STAR startup competition, the Top 30 Innovation Awards program, a virtual expo platform, and the W+Space accelerator program that provides company incubation, fundraising support, and global market expansion services.

Product overview

SVIEF (Silicon Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum) operates as a technology and investment conference platform offering a portfolio of interconnected event and services products. The core offering is the annual 11th SVIEF Innovation Week conference, which connects global scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, and government leaders. This is supported by the SVIEF-STAR Startup Competition for startup visibility, Top 30 Innovation Awards for recognition, Virtual Expo for online exhibition, W+Space accelerator for product showcasing, plus media and investor matchmaking services. The platform leverages its nine years of vertical industry resources and exclusive VC/corporate network to provide business development, fundraising, and market expansion services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SVIEF-STAR: Startup competition platform where innovative startups demo ideas and business potential across emerging industries including new energy, smart automation, biotech, IoT, and blockchain.
• W+Space (硅谷之窗)
• Top 30 Innovation Awards
• SVIEF Virtual Expo

Products and services

• 11th SVIEF Innovation Week Annual flagship technology and investment conference featuring keynotes, panel discussions, startup competitions, and virtual expo for global scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, and government leaders.
• SVIEF-STAR Startup Competition Startup competition platform where emerging companies from industries including new energy, smart automation, biotech, IoT, and blockchain showcase innovative ideas and business potential to investors.
• Top 30 Innovation Awards Annual awards program celebrating top innovation ideas across 9 categories including IoT, Biotech, Smart Material and Sustainable Energy, Smart Home, Vehicle Intelligence, SaaS and Mobile Internet, Robotics and Wearable Technologies.
• SVIEF Virtual Expo Online exhibition platform allowing attendees to view expo halls, chat with exhibitors, see product demos, and learn about products and services. Features virtual booths for startups at $200 per booth.
• W+Space Accelerator Accelerator program providing one-stop services including company registration, team development, fundraising, media coverage, supply chain integration, and global market expansion for high-tech startups.
• Investor Nomination & Matchmaking Platform connecting startups with investors through nomination, judging panels, and business matchmaking events. Investors can register as judges, panel speakers, or award nominators.
• Media Registration Services Media registration program allowing journalists and media outlets to cover SVIEF events and access exclusive content, speakers, and networking opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23.27% year-over-year attendee growth rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SVTIC (Silicon Valley Technology Innovation Club, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVTIC is the parent organization and co-organizer of SVIEF events. The organization manages the operational activities of the Silicon Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum and its associated programs including SVIEF-Star startup competition and W+Space accelerator.
• Yi Cui / Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Yi Cui, Stanford University materials scientist and Chairman of SVIEF, brings academic and research credibility. He co-founded 4C Air Inc. through the SVIEF ecosystem and provides scientific expertise to the innovation community.
• Jack McCauley / Oculus VRmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJack McCauley, Co-founder of Oculus VR and SVIEF Board Trustee, provides technology and startup expertise. His involvement brings credibility to the VR/AR technology track and startup mentorship programs.
• Steve Mann / MannLabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteve Mann, Chairman of MannLab and 'Father of wearable computing', serves as SVIEF Chairman. His expertise in wearable technology and AR/VR brings technical credibility to the conference.
• Invest Hong KongminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvest Hong Kong is a government department responsible for foreign direct investment, participating as an exhibitor to promote Hong Kong as a business hub for companies looking to expand into Asia.
• 36kr, Fenghuang, IEEE, Sina, Netease, and other media partnersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor media outlets serving as previous media partners for SVIEF events, providing press coverage, content distribution, and audience reach across Chinese and international technology media markets.
• Stanford UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanford University professors including Yi Cui and Steve Mann serve in leadership positions at SVIEF, providing academic credibility and research collaboration opportunities for the innovation community.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TechCrunch Disrupt: TechCrunch Disrupt is a flagship technology conference and startup competition (Startup Battlefield) that, like SVIEF, targets early-stage founders, venture investors, and enterprise tech sponsors. Both monetize through tiered sponsorship, ticket sales, and startup pitch competitions, with overlapping speaker/investor audiences in the global tech ecosystem.
• Web Summit: Web Summit is one of the largest global technology conferences (with sister events Collision and Web Summit Rio/Lisbon), serving the same mix of startups, investors, enterprise sponsors, and media as SVIEF. Both run multi-track programming, startup pitch competitions, and tiered sponsorship packages aimed at cross-border tech dealmaking.
• Slush: Slush is a Helsinki-based startup and technology conference with strong investor and founder attendance and a signature pitch competition. It mirrors SVIEF in combining a startup competition, investor matchmaking, and tiered corporate sponsorship, and competes for the same European and Asian tech ecosystem audience.
• Tech in Asia: Tech in Asia runs regional tech conferences (e.g., TIA Conference) plus a startup competition focused on Asia's internet and enterprise ecosystem. It overlaps directly with SVIEF on Asia-facing founders, regional VC firms, and corporate sponsors seeking visibility into emerging-market startups.
• Founders Forum: Founders Forum is an invite-only community and conference for technology founders, investors, and senior executives with global summits (London, New York, Asia). It is closely comparable to SVIEF's invitation-style executive programming, premium sponsorship tiers, and cross-border investor-founder networking.

Broad incumbents

• CES (Consumer Electronics Show): CES is the largest consumer technology trade show, run by the Consumer Technology Association, with global exhibitors, keynote speakers, and Fortune 500 sponsors. It overlaps SVIEF on enterprise tech sponsors, AR/VR/IoT exhibitors, and international delegations, but at far greater scale and with a hardware/consumer focus rather than SVIEF's startup-investor emphasis.
• SXSW: SXSW is a large Austin-based festival combining technology, film, and music programming with significant sponsor and speaker inventory. It serves an overlapping enterprise tech sponsor and founder audience as SVIEF, with similar tiered sponsorship and conference passes, though at substantially larger scale and broader scope.
• Fortune Global Forum: Fortune Global Forum is an invitation-only executive summit for Fortune 500 CEOs, global investors, and policymakers, hosted annually in different cities. It mirrors SVIEF's executive-summit positioning and Fortune 500 attendee base, but at a higher price point and with a broader (non-tech-exclusive) remit.

Regional players

• 36Kr: 36Kr is a leading Chinese technology media and events platform that operates its own startup competitions, conferences, and investor-facing services. It is a natural regional counterpart to SVIEF, targeting Chinese startups, domestic VCs, and enterprise sponsors — and is itself a media partner of SVIEF, illustrating direct ecosystem overlap.

Others

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play is a Sunnyvale-based startup accelerator and ecosystem platform that runs demo days, vertical-specific summits (fintech, health, retail, brand & retail), and corporate venture matchmaking. It overlaps SVIEF in serving the same Silicon Valley startup-investor-corporate audience and offers adjacent (not competitive) accelerator programming to W+Space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sviefuschina
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/svief
• Xx.com/svief1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SVIEF