This decade will bring dramatic advances in technology that will reshape the global economy. Silicon Valley and Asia, already inarguably the two most important technology regions in the world, will be home to the next generation of companies at the forefront of these changes. There is a natural link between these two world-class communities that has not been fully explored or appreciated. This is not due to a lack of interest, but a lack of infrastructure.

ASVC was created as a forum for understanding and networking between Silicon Valley and Asia. The world has tremendous interest in Silicon Valley because of its success in the technology sector and wealth creation. The Valley is viewed as the model of the new economy, and also a center of strong Asian influence. One third of the Valley's CEOs and more than half of its technical workforce are of Asian descent. Many of these senior executives are first generation immigrants who are respected on both sides of the shores. Although they live and work in Silicon Valley, most still have strong ties to Asia. This plus the large population of Asian tech workers in Silicon Valley are creating a natural link to the East.

On the other hand, experts believe Asia is headed to be the fastest growing market in the world. Within the next five years, Asia is on target to overtake the U.S. and Europe as the largest information technology (IT) spender in the world. Silicon Valley can capitalize on this growth through expanding business, developing partnerships, and tapping into the vast resources available in both human capital and investment capital.

Doing business between Asia and Silicon Valley is certainly not that simple. Failed attempts have cost organizations in the millions. Many business leaders on both sides seek-and simply need-to understand cultural differences to bridge the gap that has existed until now.

ASVC was created as a forum for understanding and networking between Asia and Silicon Valley. We realize that there are many organizations out there that have similar missions of serving specific country, technology, or investment interests. How is ASVC different?

1. Focus: ASVC focuses on Asia as a whole and Silicon Valley as a melting pot of cultures. We promote Asian interests and celebrate diversity. ASVC is not a race-based organization as proven by our charter membership of many non-Asian senior executives who support our mission.
2. Partnership: We partner with other organizations that have similar missions to leverage our resources and avoid redundant initiatives. A senior member of each organization serves on our board of advisors to provide unity and direction for ASVC. So we do not seek to compete but actually promote and endorse other organizations with similar interests.
3. Support: ASVC has strong support from the venture capital community, senior technology executives, and top corporations, as proven by the outstanding participation of over 600 prominent guests and 70 venture capitalists who were at our first gala function in Palo Alto on October 26th, 2000. ASVC also received early sponsorships from some of the most successful technology companies in the world including Cisco Systems, Ernst & Young, IBM, Yahoo...

By leveraging the web and building a strong support infrastructure, ASVC will strengthen relationships between Silicon Valley and Asia. By sharing a wealth of knowledge, experience, and contacts, ASVC can bridge the gap that stretches between these two powerhouses, and doing so, not just for one race, but for every individual and business entity interested in the unique opportunities that have been created.

We hope you will join our cause of building this bridge between Silicon Valley and Asia, and believe our joint effort will be rewarding to all of us personally and professionally.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,