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.
Build in Shenzhen | From RobinConnect
Real business stories and field notes from Shenzhen.
Founders, operators, factories, markets, and the decisions shaping how business gets built across Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
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.
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.
From Power Systems to Smart Security: How Leo Built a 20-Year Business in Shenzhen
Leo’s 20 year journey spans from power systems to smart security exports. Quietly adapting to market shifts, he now focuses on overseas growth balancing industria…
In a City That Doesn’t Sleep, He Built a Brand Around Rest
In fast-paced Hong Kong, David built a sleep brand inspired by his mom’s insomnia and his own restless nights. What began as a quiet product test is now a growing…
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.
Why Every Overseas Hardware Team Needs a Local Partner in Shenzhen
For overseas founders building hardware for the first time, this city looks like a dream: hundreds of factories, lightning-fast prototyping, and prices that seem…
Thinking of Building Hardware in Shenzhen? Start with These 5 Realities
Shenzhen is where hardware gets real. But for overseas founders, sourcing teams, the city’s speed and density can backfire if you land without a strategy.