At the tipping point - fbicgroup Global... · 2016-09-06 · April 10, 2015 !! At the tipping point...

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April 10, 2015 At the tipping point DEBORAH WEINSWIG Executive Director–Head Global Retail & Technology Fung Business Intelligence Centre [email protected] New York: 646.839.7017 Shenzhen as an International Hub of Hardware Innovation Shenzhen is cultivating numerous promising hardware startups, including the world's largest maker of drones for civilian use. Intel and Microsoft, as well as Chinese technology leaders Tencent and Huawei, all play a role in cultivating Shenzhen's talents and supply chain capabilities. Accelerators, maker spaces and events are increasingly building a vibrant entrepreneurial community.

Transcript of At the tipping point - fbicgroup Global... · 2016-09-06 · April 10, 2015 !! At the tipping point...

Page 1: At the tipping point - fbicgroup Global... · 2016-09-06 · April 10, 2015 !! At the tipping point ! DEBORAH WEINSWIG Executive Director–Head Global Retail & Technology! Fung Business

April 10, 2015      

At the tipping point  

D E B O R A H W E I N S W I G E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r – H e a d G l o b a l R e t a i l & T e c h n o l o g y  F u n g B u s i n e s s I n t e l l i g e n c e C e n t r e d e b o r a h w e i n s w i g @ f u n g 1 9 3 7 . c o m N e w Y o r k : 6 4 6 . 8 3 9 . 7 0 1 7  

 

Shenzhen as an International Hub of Hardware Innovation

  • Shenzhen is cultivating numerous promising hardware startups, including the world's largest maker of drones for civilian use.

• Intel and Microsoft, as well as Chinese technology leaders Tencent and Huawei, all play

a role in cultivating Shenzhen's talents and supply chain capabilities. • Accelerators, maker spaces and events are increasingly building a vibrant

entrepreneurial community.

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Fung Business Intelligence Centre (FBIC) publication: Shenzhen as the hub Copyright © 2015 The Fung Group, All rights reserved.

At The tipping point  Shenzhen as an International Hub of Hardware Innovation  INTRODUCTION  Shenzhen  is  working  to  rebrand  itself  as  a  hardware  innovation  hub.    

The   city   is   already  home   to   several  brands  at   the   forefront  of  Chinese   technology,   the  most   famous  of  which   are   Tencent   in   mobile   software,   Huawei   in   telecommunication   hardware,   BYD   in   rechargeable  batteries   and   electric   vehicles.     Shenzhen's   manufacturing   cluster   has   evolved   to   a   stage   where   the  expertise  that  remains  are  the  higher  value-­‐added  processes  (e.g.  3-­‐D  printers,  laser  cutters  and  computer  numerical  control  machining)  and  a  sophisticated  supply  chain  of  electronic  components.This  happens  to  be  just  the  right  environment  for  entrepreneurs  to  build  connected  hardware.    

This  report  will  explain  the  value  proposition  that  Shenzhen  offers  to  hardware  startups,  and  note  how  far  Shenzhen  has  come  from  a  fishing  village  35  years  ago  to  what  it  is  today.  Ironically,  being  the  capital  of  pirated  goods  is  actually  a  strength,  not  a  weakness,  in  encouraging  creativity  and  a  flexible  supply  chain.    

We   then  map   the   key   players   in   the   startup   ecosystem,   including   the   accelerators,  maker   spaces,   and  notable   entrepreneurs   and   startups.   Lastly,   we   look   at   the   challenges   facing   Shenzhen's   startup  ecosystem  for  hardware.    

Even  though  Shenzhen  now  brands  itself  as  China's  Silicon  Valley  for  hardware,  the  startup  ecosystem  is  far  from  complete  and  faces  two  major  challenges  that  apply  to  China  as  a  whole.  The  first  is  the  scarcity  of  indigenous  innovation.  There  are  many  me-­‐too  Chinese  startups  that  are  born  to  address  the  domestic  market,   or   to   compete   solely   on   price,   or   both.   When   compared   to   the   global   market,   the   most  commercially  promising  tech  companies  from  China  are  not  groundbreaking  innovation  that  disrupted  the  market  with  a  new  technological  solution.    

The   funding   environment   is   another   major   constraint.   Venture   capital   (VC)   in   China   is   a   young,  fragmented   industry.   Processes   for   due   diligence   and   valuation   are   opaque   relative   to   international  markets.  Startups  often  bend  the  rules  of   the  funding  game  –  they  commonly  exaggerate  their  Series  A  rounds  by  a  factor  of  two  to  three,  or  purposefully  confuse  the  yuan  with  the  dollar  as  reported  by  online  media   Tech   in  Asia.   Exaggerating   the   size  of   investments   can  make   startups   appear   stronger   than   they  are,  but  is  unhealthy  for  VCs  that  are  trying  to  gauge  the  true  value  of  a  business  or  a  market.  If  China  is  to  cultivate   a   “Silicon   Valley”   in   any   of   its   leading   tech   hubs,   whether   it   is   Shenzhen   or   elsewhere,   the  venture  capital   industry  would  need  to  mature  as  a  professional  sector  and  take  matters  of  governance  more  seriously.  

The   story   of   Shenzhen   as   a   hardware   innovation   hub   raises   an   important   question   about   the   role   of  government  in  a  startup  ecosystem.  In  theory,  governments  are  not  the  best  innovators,  and  usually  get  in   the   way   of   people   in   the   private   sector   who   can   innovate.   In   practice,   there   is   evidence   that  government  policies  helped  the  technology  sector  in  Seoul  and  the  startup  scene  in  Singapore.    

Up  to  this  point,   the  Shenzhen  hardware  startup  scene  evolved   largely  without  a  plan  or   initiative   from  the   government.   Now,   government   entities   are   much   more   proactive.   Authorities   in   the   Qianhai   free  trade  zone,  located  in  the  west  of  Shenzhen,  are  finalizing  plans  to  offer  rent-­‐free  space  and  support  an  incubator   for   startups   from  all  over   the  world.   In   the  case  of   Shenzhen,   it   remains   to  be   seen  how   the  government’s  enthusiastic  support  will  help  the  growth  of  the  hardware  startup  ecosystem.    

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 HARDWARE  IS  HARD:  COMMON  PITFALLS  OF  HARDWARE  STARTUPS  AND  WHY  SHENZHEN    COULD  HELP  In  order  to  appreciate  the  solution  Shenzhen  offers  to  hardware  innovators,   it   is   important  to  note  that  developing   a   business   in   connected   hardware   is   several   magnitudes   more   complex   than   developing   a  software  business.  Hardware  businesses  need  to  consider  the  sourcing  of  components,  the  manufacturing  process,   logistics  and  distribution  channels—a  whole  value  chain  that  is  not  needed  for  software.  Below  are  two  common  pitfalls  of  hardware  startups:    

1.  Hardware  Is  Prone  to  Delays  

The  sheer  number  of  processes  and  partners/suppliers  involved  means  that  shipment  is  prone  to  delays.  If  entrepreneurs  have  made  early  prototypes  without  involving  the  factory,  they  might  realize  later  that  the  components  they  wanted  to  use  were  too  rare,  or  that  a  factory  process  may  be  too  costly.    

From  prototype  to  production,  hardware  startups  require  more  iteration  because  they  need  to  deliver  on  quality   and   functionality.   This   is   in   contrast   to   software   startups,  which   can   get   away  with   releasing   a  “minimum   viable   product”   that   has   basic   functionality   and   perhaps   even   a   few   bugs,   just   to   test   the  market   and   generate   cash   flow.   If   hardware   startups  were   to   do   that   (i.e.,   ship   a   partial   product  with  missing  functionality),  negative  customer  reviews  would  put  them  out  of  business.    

2.  The  Post-­‐Launch  Cash  Crunch  

Startups  struggle  with  cash  flow,  and  hardware  startups  struggle  even  more.  For  their  initial  cash  income,  crowdfunding  has  become  one  of   the  major  ways   for  business-­‐to-­‐consumer   (B2C)  hardware  startups   to  promote   themselves   and   fund   their   product   development.   However,   according   to   data   from   the   two  largest  crowdfunding  platforms,  Kickstarter  and  Indiegogo,  it  usually  takes  six  months  to  two  years  after  first  shipment   for  startups   to  regain   the   level  of  sales  achieved  when  they  had  an  aggressive  marketing  campaign   during   crowdfunding.   In   other  words,  when   startups   go   from   launch   to   scaling   the   business,  they  have  to  survive  a  further  period  of  burning  through  their  cash  as  they  pay  suppliers  and  staff.    

Shenzhen  Offers  a  Solution  

Shenzhen's  manufacturing  prowess   and   supply   chain   capabilities   can  help  hardware   startups  make  and  ship   their   products   at   high   speed,   at   an   affordable   cost   and   with   high   quality.   There   are   factories   in  Shenzhen   ready   to   collaborate  with  entrepreneurs  and  advise   them  on   the   right   components   to  use   to  maximize   efficiency   in   cost   and   sourcing   time.   These   factories   also   have   no   problem   in   taking   small-­‐volume  orders,  a  willingness  that   is  much   less  common  for  factories   in  the  US  and  Western  Europe.    Of  course,  it  still  takes  insider  knowledge  to  find  these  factories  and  select  which  ones  to  partner  with.  That  is  where  Shenzhen's  maker  spaces  and  hardware  accelerators  provide  essential  support.    

   

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Fung Business Intelligence Centre (FBIC) publication: Shenzhen as the hub Copyright © 2015 The Fung Group, All rights reserved.

 THE  BIG  PICTURE:  SHENZHEN'S  OPEN  ECONOMY  AND  MANUFACTURING  PROWESS        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

As   Joi   Ito   of   the  Massachusetts   Institute   of   Technology   (MIT)  Media   Lab   put   it   in   his   trip   report   after  visiting  Shenzhen,   the  city   is  “global  supply  chain  meets   international  maker  movement.”  But  Shenzhen  did   not   start   that  way.   It   is   largely   an   unplanned   confluence   of   events   that   has  made   it   into   a   vibrant  innovation  hub  today.    1980s  Shenzhen   was   the   first   city   to   open   to   international   investors   when   it   became   China's   first   “special  economic  zone”  in  1980.  Manufacturing  activities  from  Hong  Kong  and  Taiwan  relocated  or  expanded  to  Shenzhen  and  the  surrounding  region  to  capture  cost  advantages  and  preferential  policies.  

From   the   1980s   to   1990s,   many   Western   countries   outsourced   their   manufacturing   activities   to   the  region.  Shenzhen  was  one  of  the  southern  Chinese  hubs  for  original  equipment  manufacturer  (OEM)  of  all  kinds  of  consumer  and  technological  products.  Guangdong  Province  became  synonymous  with  low-­‐quality  products  and  dubious  protection   for   intellectual  property   rights.  The  phenomenon  of  producing  pirated  goods  such  as  fake  iPhones  and  all  kinds  of  consumer  electronics  is  known  in  Chinese  as  “shanzhai.”  Many  cases   involve   blatant   disrespect   for   intellectual   property   rights.   But   at   the   same   time,   producing   fake  electronic   goods   trained   many   factories   in   making   minor   modifications,   producing   small   batches   and  getting   them   to   market   as   quickly   as   possible.   This   is   why   the   shanzhai   phenomenon   has   also   been  credited  with  promoting  creativity  and  technical  flexibility  in  the  Shenzhen  manufacturing  sector.    

1990s    Since   1992,   the   Chinese   government   has   actively   cultivated   a   strong   private   sector-­‐led   economy   in  Shenzhen   in   a   conscious   effort   to   reduce   reliance   on   state-­‐owned   enterprises   and   to   avoid   long-­‐term  dependence  on   foreign   investment.   Financing   for   the  private   sector   and   small   and  medium  enterprises  (SMEs)   was   made   easier   in   the   Shenzhen   banking   system,   especially   with   the   establishment   of   China  Merchants  Bank.  It  was  the  first  privately  owned  bank  in  China  and  is  currently  the  sixth-­‐largest  bank  in  the  domestic  Chinese  market.    

Meanwhile,   specialization   took   place   within   the   manufacturing   sector.   Lower-­‐skilled   factories   started  moving  away,  and  remaining  factories  moved  up  the  value  chain.    

2000s  The   Shenzhen   government   put   effort   into   cultivating   its   information   technology,   biotech   and   other  technology   related   sectors,   though   it   focused   on   supporting   the   larger   players.   Technology   companies  including  Tencent,  Huawei  and  BYD  rose  to  international  stature.    

 

Shenzhen  in  the  Numbers  Population:  10–15  million  Average  age:  33.6  (excludes  migrant  workers)  GDP:  US$233  billion,  fourth  highest  among  Chinese  cities  Unemployment:  2.4%,  lower  than  China’s  urban  unemployment  of  4.1%  Export  value:  US$305.7  billion,  first  among  Chinese  cities  Multimodal  transport  hub:  One  of  the  busiest  airports  and  busiest  sea  cargo  terminals,  connected  with  a  network  of  roads  and  railway  Research  and  development  (R&D)  spending  as  %  of  GDP:  4%    Source:  Statistical  Yearbook  of  Shenzhen;  CAAC;  data  refer  to  2013  

SHENZHEN  HONG  KONG  

CHINA  

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Fung Business Intelligence Centre (FBIC) publication: Shenzhen as the hub Copyright © 2015 The Fung Group, All rights reserved.

 

KEY  ELEMENTS  IN  A  VIBRANT  STARTUP  ECOSYSTEM  

TALENT    Founding  team  members  are  often  described  as   “hackers,   hustlers   and   hipsters”—skill  with  technology,  design  and  sales  is  essential  for   founders.  As  startups  grow,   they   require  personnel   with   skills   and   experience   in  product,   design,   marketing,   sales,   etc.,   who  are   willing   to   join   a   volatile   and   uphill  journey.    

EDUCATION  

Universities  have  an  important  role  to  play  in  providing  a  safe  environment  for  students  to  test   their   ideas   and   connect   with   mentors.  Universities   can   also   be   powerful   research  institutions.    

In   general,   the   ecosystem   benefits   from   a  highly  educated  population  and  the  presence  of   high-­‐quality   research   institutions   for  science  and  engineering.    

 

STARTUP  CLUSTERS,  NETWORKS  AND  EVENTS  When  startups  are   located  in  a  single  neighborhood  or  community,  engineers,  designers,  marketers  and  other   like-­‐minded   individuals   can   meet   up,   share   ideas   and   information,   and   collaborate   in   problem  solving.  This  enables  an  interconnected  and  flourishing  ecosystem.  

MENTORSHIP  Guidance  from  experienced  mentors  is  extremely  important  to  startup  founders.  This  role  is  usually  taken  up  by  investors  and  experienced  entrepreneurs.    

INCUBATORS  AND  ACCELERATORS  Accelerators   take   single-­‐digit   percentages   in   equity   and   provide   a   three-­‐to-­‐four-­‐month   program   of  intensive   training   and   mentorship   to   startups   that   have   only   a   concept   or   early   prototype.   Incubator  programs  usually  run  longer,  from  six  months  to  two  years.  Incubators  provide  a  collaborative  office  space  for  little  or  no  rent,  and  access  to  mentors.  

FUNDING  Access  to  funding  is  important.  It  can  come  from  local  and  regional  investors,  and  from  public  and  private  sector   funds.  Often,   a  previous   generation  of   entrepreneurs  has   set  up   venture   funds.   In  more  mature  ecosystems,  the  number  of  mergers  and  acquisitions,  exits  and  initial  public  offerings  are  indicators  of  the  startup  landscape.  

   

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Fung Business Intelligence Centre (FBIC) publication: Shenzhen as the hub Copyright © 2015 The Fung Group, All rights reserved.

 

THE  ENTREPRENEURIAL  ECOSYSTEM  A  vibrant  entrepreneurial  ecosystem  can  maximize  the  chance  of  success  for  startups  and  entrepreneurs.  The  ecosystem  provide  a  network  of  resources  that  a  lone  entrepreneur  might  not  otherwise  be  able  to  access,   such   as   funding,  mentorship,   knowledge   about   factory   and   supply   chain   partners,   or   potential  team  members.    

The  Technology  Ecosystem    Foreign  tech  companies  

Intel  and  Microsoft  have   launched  a  program  known  as  China  Technology  Ecosystem  (CTE),  which  have  indirectly   but   significantly   benefited   the   supply   chain   capabilities   and   technical   skill   sets   available   in  Shenzhen.  By   implementing  this  strategy,   Intel  and  Microsoft  engage  not  only  China's  biggest  players   in  Internet  technologies,  but  also  encourage  partnerships,  collaboration  and  sales  with  smaller  suppliers  and  manufacturers.  The  CTE  program  has  led  Intel  and  Microsoft  to  build  significant  on-­‐the-­‐ground  presence  in  Shenzhen.  No  wonder   Intel  relocated   its  annual   Intel  Developers  Forum  (IDF),  an   industry  conference  for  discussing  technologies  based  on  Intel  products,  from  Beijing  to  Shenzhen  in  2014.  Similarly,  Microsoft  revived  its  originally  US-­‐based  trade  show  Windows  Hardware  Engineering  Community  (WinHEC)  and  held  it  in  Shenzhen  in  March  18-­‐19.    

Domestic  tech  companies  

Tencent,  Huawei  and  BYD  can  be  considered  the  technology  giants  of  China.  Shenzhen  also  has  an  edge  in  biotech  and  medical  technologies.  China's  largest  medical  equipment  manufacturer,  Mindray,  and  leading  genome  sequencing  firm,  BGI,  are  both  headquartered  in  Shenzhen.    

However,   in   relation   to   supporting   the   hardware   startup   ecosystem,   the   presence   of   these   tech  companies   are   more   symbolic   than   practical.   On   one   hand,   these   companies   largely   developed   their  technology  indigenously  instead  of  depending  on  joint  ventures  with  Western  companies,  so  the  original  founders  are  often  held  up  as  role  models  for  Chinese  entrepreneurs.    

On  the  other  hand,  the  tech  companies  of  Shenzhen  are   just  beginning  to  take  a  more  proactive  role   in  training   the   next   generation   of   entrepreneurs.   Since   2013,   Tencent   has   been   the   chief   organizer   of   an  annual   China   Internet   Entrepreneurship   Competition,   where   thousands   of   startup   teams   from   all   over  China   can   compete   online   over   several   months   and   finalists   have   the   opportunity   to   pitch   to   venture  capital   investors.   The   assistance   provided   by   Tencent   tend   to   be   geared   towards   promoting   its   own  services   and   scouting   for   talent   and   technology   it   can   use   or   acquire.   For   example,   Tencent   has   built  “Tencent   University,”   an   online   platform   providing   training   for   developers   to   use   Tencent   API   to   build  their  own  apps;  and  18  “incubation  centers”  around  China,   to  provide  physical  office  space  for  startups  and  developers  who  are  working  on  such  apps    EXISTING  SUPPLY  CHAIN  CAPABILITIES  Huaqiangbei,  a  business  district  with  megamarkets   for  electronic   components  began  as  an  electronics  manufacturing   area   in   the   1980s   and   now   also   comprises   specialized   markets   for   home   appliances,  jewelry,  apparel  and  watches.  The  megamarkets  sell  electronic  components  of  a  wide  variety  

The  district  reportedly  generates  daily  foot  traffic  of  500,000  people  and  daily  revenue  of  US$160  million.  The  electronic   component  market   is   associated  with   Shenzhen  Huaqiang   Industry,   a   conglomerate   also  involved  in  commercial  real  estate  and  cloud  management  services.    

   

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 ACCELERATORS  AND  INCUBATORS  Haxlr8r,  a  hardware  accelerator  

 Haxlr8r   (pronounced   “Hax-­‐celerator,”   a   combination   of   the   words   “hack”   and  “accelerator”)   is   a   hardware-­‐only   accelerator   programAs   a   mostly   foreign-­‐owned  accelerator,   the   program   put   a   tremendous   effort   into   promoting   Shenzhen   as   a  hardware   hub   to   the   rest   of   the   world.   Cofounder   Cyril   Ebersweiler,   an   investment  partner  with  SOSventures,  an  Austin,  Texas  headquartered  venture  capital  firm,  is  a  vocal  advocate  for  Shenzhen.    

The  Haxlr8r  program  features  16  weeks  in  Shenzhen  and  ends  with  a  pitch  event  in  San  Francisco.  It  was  first  launched  in  2011  and  runs  twice  a  year  admitting  10  startups  each  time  through  a  highly  competitive  application  process.  The  size  of  the  2015  cohort  increased  to  15  startups  for  the  first  time.    The  program  provides  seed  capital  between  US$25,000  and  $100,000  for  6-­‐9%  equity.    

Based   on   our   conversations   with   Ben   Joffe,   general   partner   of   Haxlr8r,   the   accelerator   is   an   effective  training   ground   for   foreign   founders  who   learn   to   take   advantage   of   the   Shenzhen  manufacturing   and  supply  chain  capabilities  to  build  their  products.  Many  of  these  foreign  founders  were  coming  to  China  for  the   first   time   or   speak   no   Chinese,   so   the   accelerator   program  was   particularly   valuable   in   connecting  them  with  the  right  factory  and  supply  chain  partners.    

But  the  accelerator   is  also  key  for  Chinese  hardware  startup  teams  that  are  developing  products  for  the  global  market.  Darma,  the  smart  seat  cushion  that  monitors  posture,  heart  rate  and  breathing  (explained  in  more  detail  later  in  the  'Notable  Startups'  section),  is  one  example  of  a  product  developed  by  a  Chinese  team  that  launched  with  Haxlr8r's  help.    PCH  International,  a  global  product  development  and  supply  chain  company  

PCH  is  a  global  product  development  and  supply  chain  company  whose  operational  headquarters  are   in  Shenzhen  and  whose  corporate  headquarters  are  in  Ireland.  (Disclosure:  PCH  is  a  Fung  Capital  USA  backed  company.)    

PCH  owns  manufacturing   facilities   in   Shenzhen   that   assemble   electronic   products   and   compete   against  Foxconn.  PCH  currently  provides  fulfilment  service  to  Xiaomi,  the  Chinese  mobile  phone  maker.  

PCH  launched  a  San  Francisco-­‐based  hardware  accelerator,  Highway1,   in  2013,  whose  program  includes  two  weeks  in  Shenzhen  exploring  the  manufacturing  process  and  supply  chain.  Entrepreneurs  spend  four  months   in  San  Francisco  undergoing   training   in  user   research  and  pitching,  and  working  on  prototypes.  Halfway   through   the   program,   they   go   to   Shenzhen   for   two   weeks   to   tour   the   facilities   that   may  manufacture  their  product.  The  accelerator  takes  4%–7%  in  equity  and  offers  US$50,000  in  funding.    

Seeed  Studio,  a  quick  prototyping  platform  

If   a   startup   founder   does   not   have   the   engineering   skills   or   the   available  equipment   to  make   his   own   prototype,   Seeed   Studio   can   help.   Seeed   Studio  helps  early-­‐stage  startups  build  prototypes,  and  produce  and  ship  one  to  1,000  pieces  of   their  products.   It  was   founded   in  2008  by  Eric  Pan,  a  pioneer   in   the  

Shenzhen  maker  scene  who  founder  in  Chaihuo  Maker  Space.    Seeed  combines  local  knowledge  of  supply  chain   management—where   to   source   electronics   and   components—with   connections   to   global   open-­‐sourced  hardware  communities.     It   also   runs  a  Web  platform  known  as  Wish  where  entrepreneurs   can  commission   works   from   industrial   designers,   engineers   and   hobbyists   around   the   world   to   serve   their  specific  needs.    

 

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STARTUP  CLUSTERS,  NETWORKS  AND  EVENTS  Chaihuo  Maker  Space,  a  playground  for  hardware  innovators  

This   is  China's  equivalent  of  TechShop  in  Silicon  Valley.  For  an  affordable  monthly   membership   fee   (US$20),   entrepreneurs,   engineers   and  hardware  enthusiasts  can  use  the  workspace  and  equipment  (such  as  a  3-­‐D   printer   and   machine   tools)   to   build   prototypes   and   test   their   ideas.  

What   is   even   more   valuable   is   the   community   and   network   that   Chaihuo   offers:   there   are   frequent  networking  events  where  seasoned  entrepreneurs  from  China  and  other  countries  share  their  experience  and  advice.  

Shenzhen  Maker  Faire,  an  annual  event,  is  coming  up  June  19–21,  2015  

Part  of  the  international  maker  movement,  the  first  Shenzhen  Maker  Faire  was  held   in  April  2014.   “Maker  Faires”   consist  of   conferences,  expos  and  carnivals  held   all   over   the  world   to   engage   the   hardware   developer   community—even  

the  White  House  had  one  in  June  2014.  But  the  Shenzhen  Maker  Faire  bears  special  significance.  As  if  to  prove  stereotypes  of  low-­‐quality  Chinese  products  are  now  outdated,  the  2014  Shenzhen  Maker  Faire  was  entitled   “Innovative   with   China.”   It   was   a   big   show-­‐and-­‐tell,   and   could   be   considered   a   milestone   in  rebranding  the  “Made  in  China”  stigma.  The  whole  ecosystem—from  large  corporates  to  small  players  to  venture   funds,   from   Chinese   to   foreigners,   from   professionals   to   hobbyists—   gathered   as   part   of   this  vibrant  industry  meetup.  The  upcoming  Shenzhen  Maker  Faire  in  June  will  certainly  be  an  event  to  watch.    

Talent  and  Education  

Apart  from  nurturing  entrepreneurs,  the  education  system  is  also  important  for  training  talents  to  equip  them  with  the  technical  skills  necessary  to  join  tech  startups.  In  this  sense,  the  Chinese  education  system  can  cultivate  strong  engineering  skills.  However,  the  more  conservative  culture  in  China  is  such  that  many  early   stage   startups   still   hire   staff   on   a   salary   instead   of   giving   equity.   This   could   pose   an   unnecessary  burden  on  the  startup  founders.    

Universities  as  Educational  Institutions  

Shenzhen  is  not  an  educational  cluster  in  itself.  It  has  several  mid-­‐ranking  universities,  as  well  as  satellite  campuses   of   top-­‐tier   institutions   Peking   University,   Tsinghua   University   and   Harbin   Institute   of  Technology.   There   are   also   the   South   China   Institute   of   Technology   and   Zhongshan   University   in  Guangzhou,  which  are  tier-­‐one  universities.  However,  the  talent  pool  for  Shenzhen's  tech  startups  comes  from  all  over  China,  partly  attracted  by  the  big  names  such  as  Tencent  and  Huawei  in  Shenzhen.    

In  China,  universities  will  be  taking  a  larger  role  in  educating  future  generations  of  entrepreneurs.    Since  2012,   the   Ministry   of   Education   has   made   entrepreneurship   a   mandatory   part   of   the   undergraduate  syllabus,  although  implementation  of  this  policy  has  been  slow.  Preferential  tax  rates  and  social  insurance  waivers   also   apply   to   startups   founded   by   university   graduates.   In   some   universities,   it   is   increasingly  common   for   graduate   students   to   take   time   off   their   academic   programs   to   pursue   entrepreneurial  ventures.    

Universities  as  Business  Incubators  

The  role  of  universities  as  startup   incubators  or  technology  transfer  hubs   is  at  a  nascent  stage   in  China.    Science  parks  have  been  established  by  Tsinghua  University  and  Peking  University  in  Beijing,  and  by  Fudan  University   in   Shanghai.  Although   these   initiatives   tend   to  be  government   supported,   amply   funded  and  technology  focused,  they  have  been  slow  to  benefit  the  overall  startup  ecosystem.    

Shenzhen  also  has  several  university  parks,   some  of  which  are  bustling  with  new  activity  as   the  schools  nurture  entrepreneurs.  One  such  university  park  is  I-­‐Park  in  Nanshan  District.  In  January,  the  University  of  California,   Berkeley   and   Tsinghua   University   launched   a   joint   research   institute   there,   featuring   16  laboratories  devoted  to  everything  from  nanotechnology  to  data  science.    

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NOTABLE  STARTUPS  The  below  list  of  six  startups  show  the  different  approaches  adopted   in  the  Shenzhen  ecosystem.  Some  succeed   and   leave   Shenzhen   to   target   the   global   market,   while   others   choose   to   stay   rooted   in   the  manufacturing  hub.  Some  develop  a  consumer  product  to  showcase  their  technology  in  order  to  earn  the  credibility  to  expand  into  the  enterprise  market.  Some  may  be  considered  more  innovative  than  others.    

The  mention  of  two  foreign  founded  startups  is  intended  to  raise  the  question  –  if  foreign  entrepreneurs  simply  use  Shenzhen  as  a  provider  of  manufacturing  and  supply  chain  services,  how  does  that  benefit  the  local  ecosystem  or  stimulate  the  ecosystem  towards  greater  innovation?    

DJI    A  world-­‐leading  maker  of  camera  drones  

DJI   was   founded   in   2006   by   engineering   student   Frank   Wang   and   Professor   Li  Zexiang  at  the  Hong  Kong  University  of  Science  and  Technology  (HKUST).    

Today,   DJI   occupies   70%   of   the   global   market   for   civilian-­‐use   unmanned   aerial  systems.   It   is  funded  through  sales  of   its  products.  Sales   in  2013  were  reported  at  US$130  million.    

Darma  A  seat  cushion  that  monitors  posture,  tracks  heart  rate,  breathing  and  sitting  time.    

In  a  world  where  wearables  are  all   the   rage,   this   startup  decided   to  build  an   'un-­‐wearable'   product   in   the   form  of   a   seat   cushion.   Founder  Hu   Junhao   is   originally  from   Hubei   Province,   completed   his   PhD   in   optical   engineering   in   Singapore.   Hu  contacted  former  NASA  director  of  life  sciences  Joan  Vernikos  and  got  her  on  board  as  an  advisor.  Hu  believes  a  cushion  is  less  of  a  bother  for  the  user,  and  sensors  on  a  cushion  can  collect  data  more  accurately.      

Darma   is   a   graduate   of   Haxlr8r   in   2014.   The   Haxlr8r   demo   day   in   San   Francisco  attracted   a   lot   of   interest   for   Darma,   and   the   team   is   now   working   primarily   in  Silicon   Valley.   The   startup   raised   US$100,000   on   the   first   day   of   its   Kickstarter  campaign.   It   has   also   received   interest   from   upscale   furniture   companies   and  airlines  wanting  to  use  Darma's  patented  technology  in  their  seats.    

uArm  by  UFactory  

An  industrial  robotic  arm  in  desktop  size.    

This   is   one   of   three   startups   that   demonstrated   their   products   to   Premier   Li  Keqiang  during  his  visit  to  Chaihuo  Maker  Space.    

“uArm”  is  a  robot  arm  modeled  after  the  ABB  industrial  Palletpack.  The  product  is  made  of  laser-­‐cut  acrylic  and  parts,  powered  by  Arduino.  The  arm  performs  tasks  of  picking   up   and   putting   down   objects   at   a   high   degree   of   precision.   The   user   can  control  the  robot  arm  through  a  Windows  app.  Although  promoted  as  a  consumer  product,  uArm  is  also  used  in  laboratories  to  handle  test  tubes.    

This  is  a  Kickstarter  funded  product  for  US$250,000.  Backers  include  MakerBot  co-­‐founder  Zach  Hoeken.  The  four-­‐person  team  is  headed  by  Deng  Shitao,  a  graduate  from  Zhongshan  University,  Guangzhou.    

Orvibo  

Chinese  startup  based  in  Shenzhen.  Smart  home  appliances  

Founded  in  2011  by  Mark  Wang,  Orvibo  has  now  become  a  high  profile  startup,  and  Wang  a   frequent  commentator  and  speaker  on  everything  related  to  smart  home  innovation.  In  December,  Orvibo,  together  with  the  Shenzhen  government's  science  and   innovation   commission   and   a   few   local   universities,   launched   a   smart   home  research  and  development  initiative  in  Nanshan  I-­‐Park.    

One   of   Orvibo's   most   heavily   promoted   products   is   Kepler,   a   gas   and   carbon  monoxide  detector.  (The  discerning  reader  would  note  that  Nest  home  appliances,  now   part   of   Google,   has   a   product   that   has   the   same   functions.   So   the   reader  wouldn't  be  surprised  to  know  that  the  design  of  Orvibo's  smoke  detector  product  also  bears  some  resemblance  to  that  of  Nest's.)    

 

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 Incubated  in  Shenzhen  –  foreign  founders  

Nomiku  An  immersion  circulation  cooking  device  for  everyday  kitchens.  Previously  available  equipment  was  prohibitively  expensive  for  an  everyday  home.  

Nomiku   is   another   Haxlr8r   graduate.   Persistent   Nomiku   co-­‐founders  Lisa   and   Abe   Fetterman   lived   in   Shenzhen   for   two   years   to   work  closely  with   the   factory  while  developing   their  product.  Nomiku  was  funded   for  US$1.3  million   in   two  Kickstarter   campaigns.   The   cooking  device   enjoyed   enormous   commercial   success,   achieving   millions   in  orders.  Nomiku  is  now  also  a  Y-­‐Combinator  backed  company.    

 Manufactured  in  Shenzhen  –  foreign  founder  

LittleBits  

Manufactured  in  Shenzhen.  Electronics  modules  for  consumers  

LittleBits  was  founded  by  MIT  alumna  Ayah  Bdeir,  who  gave  a  TED  talk  to   market   her   product   that   resulted   in   700,000   views   when   her  product  was  still  under  development.  LittleBits  are  electronic  modules  that   snap   together   with   magnets.   Users   can   create   do-­‐it-­‐yourself  electronics;  e.g.,  combine  sensors  and  dimmers  to  create  a   light  or  a  musical  device,  or  make  any  home  item  wifi-­‐connected.  It  is  Series  B-­‐funded,   having   raised   US$15.6   million   so   far,   and   its   products   are  manufactured  by  PCH  in  Shenzhen.    

 A  Note  on  the  China  Funding  Environment  for  Startups  Investor   funding   is  essential   for   the  growth  of  most   tech  startups.  The  same  case  applies   to  startups   in  Shenzhen.  Many  of  the  hardware  startups  we  discussed  in  this  report  received  their   initial  funding  from  crowdfunding,  and  then  they  either  support  themselves  through  sales  or  seek  funding  outside  of  China.    

We   have   already   alluded   to   the   governance   problem   in   Chinese   startups   and   their   VC   investors.   The  practice  of  misrepresenting  the  startups'  early  stage  or  Series  A  rounds  is  unhealthy  for  the  ecosystem.  It  makes   it   difficult   for   investors   to   separate   the   wheat   from   the   chaff   and   hindering   an   optimal   use   of  capital.   There   are   currently   two  ongoing  debates   in   the  China  VC   sector.   The   first   concerns   the   role   of  government.  Can  government  funding  be  effective  in  taking  the  VC  sector  to  the  next  level?  The  national  government  is  setting  up  a  US$6.5  billion  government  venture  capital  fund,  which  is  intended  to  attract  an  influx  of  private  venture  capital.    

The  government  certainly  believes   that   it   could  play  a   role.   In  a   statement  published  on  March  15,   the  State  Council  called  for  ministries  and  local  governments  at  all  levels  to  support  innovation  and  startups.  The  government  must  "promote  financing  for  technology  startups,   improve  the  funding  and   investment  exit  system  of  venture  capital  funds  and  angel  investors”,  the  statement  said.    

The  second  debate  is   in  regards  to  the  over-­‐valuation  of  startups–Are  Chinese  startups  facing  a  possible  bubble  burst?  Rui  Ma,   venture  partner  at  500  Startups,   the  Silicon  Valley   incubator  and   seed   stage  VC,  said  in  June  2014  that  she  saw  valuation  of  some  early-­‐stage  Chinese  startups  are  higher  than  comparable  Silicon  Valley   startups.  David  Zhang,   cofounder  of  Matrix  Partners,  a  major  VC   that  has   invested   in  190  companies   in  China,  warned   in  September  2014  that  after   the  hype  around  the  Alibaba   IPO  dies  down,  there  will  be  a  cooling  down  in  VC  funding  for  Chinese  startups.    

In  all   the  debates  about  whether  there   is  too  much  or  too   little  funding  for  startups,   it   is  easy  to  forget  that   the  quality  of   investment  and   investors  also  matters.   In  more  advanced  startup  ecosystems,  early-­‐stage  investors   including  angels  and  VCs  contribute  mentorship  and  practical  assistance  to  help  startups  grow.  For  an  early-­‐stage  startup  with  a  strong  value  proposition,  getting  the  right  mentorship  can  be  more  difficult  than  getting  funding.  

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Equity  Financing  into  China-­‐Based,  VC-­‐Backed  Companies,  by  Industry  Group  (3Q  2014)  

Source:  Dow  Jones  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In  all   the  debates  about  whether  there   is  too  much  or  too  little  funding  for  startups,   it   is  easy  to  forget  that   the  quality  of   investment  and   investors  also  matters.   In  more  advanced  startup  ecosystems,  early-­‐stage  investors   including  angels  and  VCs  contribute  mentorship  and  practical  assistance  to  help  startups  grow.  For  an  early-­‐stage  startup  with  a  strong  value  proposition,  getting  the  right  mentorship  can  be  more  difficult  than  getting  funding.  

18%  

2%  

48%  

1%  5%  1%  

25%  Business  and  Financial  Services  

Consumer  Goods  

Consumer  Goods  

Energy  &  Uslises  

Healthcare  

Industrial  Goods  &  Materials  

Informason  Tech  

15%  

1%  

66%  

3%  1%  

14%   Business  and  Financial  Services  

Consumer  Goods  

Consumer  Services  

Energy  &  Uslises  (0.4%)  

Healthcare  

Industrial  Goods  &  Materials  

Informason  Technology  

Figure  2.  3Q’14  Industry  Breakdown  By  Amount  Raised  

Consumer  Services  

Information  Technology  

Source:  Dow  Jones

18%  

2%  

48%  

1%  5%  1%  

25%  Business  and  Financial  Services  

Consumer  Goods  

Consumer  Services  

Energy  &  Uslises  

Healthcare  

Industrial  Goods  &  Materials  

Informason  Technology  

Figure  1.  3Q’14  Industry  Breakdown  By  Number  of  Deals  

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Fung Business Intelligence Centre (FBIC) publication: Shenzhen as the hub Copyright © 2015 The Fung Group, All rights reserved.

CONCLUSION  

Shenzhen   is   reinventing   itself.   Formerly   the   capital   of   shanzhai,   it   now  aspires   to  become  Asia's   Silicon  Valley   for  hardware   innovation.   Shenzhen   is   strongly  positioned   to   assume   this   new   identity–its   supply  chain  and  manufacturing  capabilities  can  help  hardware  startups  mitigate  the  risk  of  delay  as  they  launch  their   first   product   and   subsequently   scale   their   business.   However,   the   legacy   of   a   shanzhai   capital  remains,  and  the   lack  of  homegrown   innovation  and  an   incomplete  funding  environment  still   remains  a  roadblock  to  the  future  growth  of  Shenzhen.    

 

 

Deborah  Weinswig,  CPA  Executive  Director  –  Head  Global  Retail  &  Technology  Fung  Business  Intelligence  Centre  New  York:  646  839  7017  Hong  Kong:  +852  6119  1779  [email protected]        Marie  Driscoll,  CFA  [email protected]    John  Harmon,  CFA  [email protected]    Amy  Hedrick    [email protected]    Aragorn  Ho    [email protected]    John  Mercer  [email protected]    Stephanie  Reilly  [email protected]    Lan  Rosengard  [email protected]    Jing  Wang    [email protected]