Since 2011, the Cathay Capital Foundation has been committed to strengthening mutual understanding between Europe and China through education, culture and knowledge sharing. We believe curiosity, openness and the desire to give back are values shared by investors, researchers and artists alike.
The Foundation acts as a bridge within the Cathay ecosystem — connecting entrepreneurs, investors, cultural institutions and civil society — to foster long-term dialogue, transmission of knowledge and cultural exchange between generations and continents.
OUR PURPOSE
Build lasting bridges between European and Chinese cultures
Support education and entrepreneurial pathways for the next generation
Contribute to a more open, connected and mutually informed world
Education & Entrepreneurship
Proxité
– a long-standing partnership.
Together with Proxité, the Foundation supports young people from underprivileged backgrounds through mentoring programs that help them
build self confidence, develop their talents and shape their professional future. This partnership is a cornerstone of our long - term commitment to education and inclusion.
Fondation Entreprendre
With Fondation Entreprendre, we reinforce our mission to promote entrepreneurship and innovation to the young generation, supporting the association that accompany young entrepreneurs from inspiration to execution.
Culture & Knowledge sharing
bringing voices across borders
The Foundation supports translation projects that make Chinese works accessible to French readers — and French works accessible to Chinese audiences — fostering dialogue between cultures through literature and ideas.
Un ciel partagé
a poetic dialogue about horizons and coexistence
Itinéraire d’une pensée
an exploration of a major contemporary artistic journey
Exhibitions & cultural platforms
Centre Pompidou
Support of an exhibition highlighting Franco-Chinese artistic encounters and contemporary creation as a space for dialogue.
Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence
By supporting the publication of “Cezanne : Entre quatre murs” by Bruno Ely — a major reference monograph — the Foundation aims to highlight the central role played by the city of Aix-en-Provence in the artist’s life and body of work.
The New Franco-Chinese Institute in Lyon
A platform dedicated to exhibitions, performances and artistic exchanges between Europe and China.
Cathay Capital Foundation Events
Cultural exchange at the heart of our partnership with the Centre Pompidou
This year, we were proud to partner with the Centre Pompidou to support a remarkable exhibition: “目China, A New Generation of Artists.” This initiative shines a light on a new wave of Chinese artists, offering an innovative and creative perspective on contemporary art.
This collaboration underscores our dedication to fostering cultural exchange between Europe and China. By bringing these young talents to the international stage, we affirm our belief in the power of art to spark dialogue and mutual understanding.
Summer Camp with Proxité in Orléans
Last August, we proudly collaborated with Proxité to host an innovative summer camp led by William Cai, immersing young talents in the business world. The comprehensive program featured economic and financial fundamentals, interactive training sessions, and pitch workshops to refine presentation skills. Our goal was to support entrepreneurial spirit and equip young people with essential tools to pursue their ambitions.
The program culminated in a pitching finale at our Cathay Capital offices in Paris, where participants showcased their projects to professionals. This initiative reflects our commitment to bridging the gap between youth and the professional world, helping shape tomorrow’s leaders through hands-on experience and expert guidance.
2023: strengthening our support for Proxité, after a successful year.
Expansion of the team, 83 students mentored, and the opening of programs dedicated to vocational students… Proxité’s results in 2023 pave the way for ambitious goals for the coming year, including a consolidation of its territorial roots with a 2nd location planned in Orleans, thanks to the “French Dream” project under which Proxité had set up in the city in 2021.
Launch of “French Dream 2.0” dedicated to creating Orléans branch of Proxité
Supports the creation of a local branch of Proxité, an association dedicated to mentoring young people from disadvantaged areas towards academic and professional success.
Publication of the book “Itinéraire d’une pensée” of CAI Guo-Qiang
The book “Itinéraire d’une pensée” by the artist CAI Guo-Qiang was launched at the end of 2017 at Cinema Christine 21, with the support of the Fondation France Chine Entreprendre of Cathay Capital.
Publication of “Les Gènes de la transformation” by Professor Arthur Yeung in France
A book rich in content regarding the transformation of economic models and capital risk investment implications.
Creation of a world research center dedicated to private equity
This center aims to promote the study of trends, case studies and risk-return models within private equity, as well as innovations in terms of organizational structure and management.
Parsons Paris awards first Cathay Capital prize
The first Cathay Foundation Prize for Strategic Design & Management students from New York and Paris was awarded in Paris.
Creation of “Cathay Foundation Prize” at Parsons “the New School”
This award aims to reward innovative design projects which have concrete applications to the business world, an entrepreneurial perspective, or show interest in relations between China and Europe.
Establishment of the “French Dream” project
Through a coaching system with volunteer mentors, all from leading universities, the French Dream project aims to motivate selected high-school students and inspire them to widen their horizons and fully develop their potential.
Publication of the book “France-China: A shared sky.”
Inspired by the annual cycle of conferences “One Meeting, One Story” organized in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris Ile-de-France, this book testifies to the shared successes of 10 French and Chinese double teams in many sectors and fields of activity.
Sponsor of the “France-China 50” Year, in partnership with the Institut Français
The “France-China 50” Year was scheduled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China. Cathay Capital’s support, alongside that of other sponsors, helped to organize many cultural events, in both the arts and sciences across both countries.
Chinese version of Xavier Fontanet’s book “What if we trusted entrepreneurs.”
Adaptation, Chinese translation, publication and distribution in China of the book “What if we trusted entrepreneurs” by Xavier Fontanet, former CEO of Essilor Group. The entrepreneurial background of Mr Fontanet and the development of the Essilor group are a perfect success story of internationalization in business for Chinese readers.
Discovery Trip to France for future Chinese economic leaders.
The Cathay Foundation invited 12 young Chinese entrepreneurs and their families to come to France to discover both French culture and its entrepreneurial environment. This trip follows a tailor-made programme, full of opportunities for exchange and sharing, enabling future generations to get to know each other and build lasting bonds of friendships.
Creation of the Cathay Capital chair
Cathay Capital chose to sponsor a chair at the CEIBS business school (China Europe International Business School) in Shanghai in order to contribute to the development of expertise and research in the field of management in China.