Getting Started in Shenzhen
The minimum you need to function — payments, transport, connectivity, and what to ignore.
Using Shenzhen, in practice
Shenzhen is full of opportunities. Most people leave without finding them.
Editor's Picks
How to Work Shenzhen’s Supply Chain: A Field Guide for Overseas Founders
Charley Shen has spent the last 15 years inside the supply chains that power global hardware, starting from components, moving through sourcing, and now helping o…
Should You Go to Huaqiangbei? Honest Advice for Three Types of Visitors
Huaqiangbei can be useful or a complete waste of time. It depends on what you’re trying to do. This guide helps you decide.
Inside a VC’s Mind: AI, Hardware, and What Actually Gets Funded
After years working across Africa and the Middle East, Michelle returned to China and now moves between Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Silicon Valley. In early-…
Factory Visits
From Prototype to Production: An Expert's Guide to PCBA in Shenzhen
A Shenzhen-based PCBA expert offers direct advice for overseas hardware entrepreneurs manufacturing in China, detailing common pitfalls and practical solutions.
Hardware & Supply Chain
How I Helped a Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Find a Hardware Manufacturing Solution in Just Two Hours
In 2024, about 55 percent of Shenzhen’s GDP came from manufacturing and high-tech industries. That’s roughly 275 billion US dollars, according to public data. The…
Founders
She Spent 15 Years Inside One of China's Most Competitive Markets. Here's What It Actually Taught Her.
Liang Xiaohua didn't plan to build a business in Shuibei. But 15 years in, she's still here, and most people who started when she did are not.
This Engineer Left DJI to Help Hardware Startups Survive the 0–1 Phase
If your hardware idea is still on paper or halfway through a rough prototype, Carson Lin has a message for you: “The most expensive problems in hardware aren’t in…
How to Work Shenzhen’s Supply Chain: A Field Guide for Overseas Founders
Charley Shen has spent the last 15 years inside the supply chains that power global hardware, starting from components, moving through sourcing, and now helping o…
Before the Company Exists: Samuel and the Work That Comes First
Since last year, Samuel has been moving between the US and Shenzhen while building early hardware projects. This story follows what shapes hardware ideas before a…
Three Things That Blindside Foreigners Running a Business in China
Most foreigners who run into trouble in China hit one of three problems: a labor dispute they can't resolve, a visa transfer that gets stuck, or a tax bill nobody…
Inside a VC’s Mind: AI, Hardware, and What Actually Gets Funded
After years working across Africa and the Middle East, Michelle returned to China and now moves between Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Silicon Valley. In early-…
How a Former Teacher Found Her Place in Fashion By Picking the Right Products and Store Locations
Ryn never studied design, but her instinct helped shape a brand, one decision at a time. Ryn didn’t enter fashion through the front door. She didn’t have a design degree, startup capital, or a plan. But over the years, she’s become the kind of person you want in the room when decisions matter, especially when it comes to selecting the right products and choosing the right store locations. Her journey wasn’t loud. But her decisions quietly helped shape the direction of a business.
Most people visit Shenzhen and leave with business cards. We help you leave with results.
We work with overseas founders and hardware teams navigating Shenzhen from finding the right co-development partners to sourcing trips, technical due diligence, and business setup support.
See how we can help