Lian highlighted Silicon Valley as a benchmark, noting its success stems from a robust network of accelerators, incubators, and mentors. “Silicon Valley consistently gives birth to big companies and supports a thriving ecosystem,” he said, emphasizing how it excels in all four components.Capital: The Lifeblood of Startups“Capital is crucial for startups, fueling innovation and growth,” Lian stated. He pointed out that global venture capital hit $120 billion in Q4 2024, with AI startups leading the charge. Beyond traditional funding, he noted crowdfunding’s $5 billion haul last year. Citing Stability AI, which leveraged London’s funding ecosystem to reach a $1 billion valuation, he added, “Regional support can accelerate breakthroughs.”
