RobinConnect
China’s business world — documented from the inside.
Founders, factories, capital, and the real decisions shaping Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
RobinConnect
Founders, factories, capital, and the real decisions shaping Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
interviews
VC associate Michelle Wang shares how she evaluates early-stage AI and hardware projects. What signals make her lean in, why founder motivation matters more than pitch decks, and what mistakes foreign founders still make when approaching Chinese investors.
interviews
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 overseas founders scale full-stack hardware products from Shenzhen.
interviews
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 R&D or manufacturing. They’re in all the wrong assumptions made in between.” Carson spent 7 years at
interviews
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 company exists — cost, iteration, and the decision to show up in person.
interviews
Shenzhen lawyer Vicky from Yingke Law Firm shares legal insights for foreign entrepreneurs in China, from contracts and IP protection to dispute resolution. Learn how to avoid common risks and operate safely in the Chinese market.
ON-SITE
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 city is not only strong in innovation across fields like information technology, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, biotech, and new energy. It’s also still
interviews
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
Vivian went from London’s high-fashion circles to running a thriving MCN (Multi-Channel Network) agency in Shenzhen—generating over 1 million RMB from Red Note alone in just six months, with zero ad spend and only 115 followers. Her story is a masterclass in spotting opportunities, moving fast, and letting
interviews
When I met Appie—a Dutch entrepreneur from Gouda—in Shenzhen, I could tell right away he had a story worth sharing. He left behind a 14-year IT career, traded the stability of office life for a backpack, and ended up starting a business in a city he never even