Demo Day Partner Spotlight: Huawei Cloud  

An exclusive interview with Qizhi (Chi Chi) Wong, Startup Program Ecosystem Lead (Global)

Huawei Cloud  is at the forefront of enabling global innovation, operating in more than 170 countries. Through initiatives like the Huawei Startup and Developer Programs, it offers entrepreneurs and developers the resources, mentorship and global networks they need to scale across borders.

Driving this vision forward is Qizhi (Chi Chi) Wong, Startup Program Ecosystem Lead (Global). Chi Chi has become a key force in bridging corporate resources with the needs of founders worldwide. His leadership reflects Huawei Cloud’s broader commitment to building ecosystems where startups, student founders and developers can thrive, access opportunities and grow into global changemakers.

At Purpose in Motion (PIM), this vision resonates strongly with our own mission to empower impact-driven entrepreneurs. Thus, we are proud to spotlight Huawei Cloud  as a key partner for PIM Demo Day.

A Shared Vision of Global Innovation

Huawei Cloud operates guided by its mission to “bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.” This commitment goes beyond technology provision; it reflects a deeper philosophy of democratizing innovation and empowering entrepreneurs across borders.

For startups, two needs remain constant: investment opportunities and business opportunities. Huawei addresses both through the Huawei Startup Program, which already supports over 5,000 startups globally. By providing cloud infrastructure credits, access to venture capital networks, business development pathways and global exposure through initiatives like Seeds for the Future and the Tech for City Challenge, Huawei Cloud has become more than a technology partner-it is a launchpad for founders ready to scale across industries and regions.

Spotlight on Leadership: Chi Chi Wong

Qizhi (Chi Chi) Wong, Startup Program Ecosystem Lead (Global) at Huawei Cloud & based in Singapore, Chi Chi embodies a “no-agenda” partnership philosophy: “If you can help, you help.” His approach emphasizes authentic ecosystem building, where the focus is on supporting founders and partners without expecting direct returns.

With a unique background spanning military leadership, corporate experience, and startup ecosystem development, Chi Chi—who earned university degrees in both America and China – brings a human-centered perspective to global entrepreneurship. He has built a trusted community of over 600 stakeholders-including governments, VCs and founders-through more than 1,500 one-on-one conversations, reinforcing his belief that strong ecosystems are built through relationships, care and shared values.

He underscores the importance of core values-good attitude, willingness to listen & perseverance, as the foundation of sustainable success. Drawing inspiration from philosophy and history, he sees values as the compass that helps founders navigate challenges and build credibility over time.

Chi Chi’s Life Vision:

• In your 20s: Build a strong foundation and define your core values.
  
• In your 30s and 40s: Cultivate your unique X-factor.
  
• In your 40s and 50s: Step into your spotlight and make a meaningful impact.
  
• Beyond 50: Inspire and nurture the next generation of leaders

 For Chi Chi, ecosystem building is about more than programs and credits – it is about creating communities where people genuinely help one another achieve shared goals. As he put it during our conversation, “Good startups transcend borders. They don’t just solve local problems – they solve global challenges.”

Contributions to PIM Demo Day

Huawei Clouds commitment was evident during PIM’s Demo Day, where they provided Huawei Cloud Credit Coupons valued at USD 5,000 to finalist teams. These credits empower early-stage entrepreneurs to test, develop and scale their solutions with enterprise-grade infrastructure-resources that are often inaccessible to founders at the earliest stages.

Chi Chi explains it best: “It’s really an ecosystem play where you try and be helpful. When startups can benefit, that’s something you can’t put a price tag on.”

Real-World Impact: Success Stories

The transformative potential of Huawei’s ecosystem support is best illustrated through Finger Dance, winner of Huawei’s Tech for City 2022 competition. Their AI-powered sign language assistant, now deployed in Singapore train stations, helps deaf individuals navigate public transportation-a powerful example of technology creating both commercial value and social impact.

Similarly, startups like Agrodata, a Latin American competition winner, were flown to China for Huawei’s  Developer Conference (HDC) Summit, demonstrating how the program creates opportunities that transcend borders and accelerate global expansion.

Building Stronger Innovation Ecosystems Together

The collaboration between PIM and Huawei Cloud represents more than resource-sharing; it is about building bridges across borders. In today’s rapidly evolving digital economy-where AI, cloud and connectivity drive competitive advantage-no single entity can tackle global challenges alone. Strategic partnerships like this one amplify individual potential, equipping startups with the infrastructure, networks and mentorship they need to succeed. Together, we are ensuring that the brightest ideas of today become the transformative innovations of tomorrow.

About Qizhi Wong : (Linkedin)

Qizhi (Chi Chi) Wong is the Startup Program Ecosystem Lead (Global) at Huawei Cloud Singapore. He builds and nurtures strategic partnerships with startups, incubators, accelerators, venture capitalists, and other key players in the startup ecosystem. Fluent in multiple languages and driven by a deep belief in trust and honest communication, Chi Chi supports founders by connecting them with the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to thrive.