by Wen Tsui
LAS VEGAS, United States, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- "We woke up at 3 a.m. every day to check Amazon rankings and communicate with American customers," said Li Yifan, co-founder of Heybike, recalling the early days of his entrepreneurial journey.
At the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas, Li is one of the trailblazing founders from Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city now recognized as a global launchpad for innovation.
Li told Xinhua that he and his partner's persistence during the challenging early days paid off when the electric bike market experienced a significant surge in early 2022.
"Luckily, we had inventory ready, so we took off quickly. Looking back, there was a bit of luck involved, but that's how it goes," Li said. Their company has rapidly expanded from a handful of employees to a team of over 100.
"Now that we've reached this stage, we feel more confident in our R&D, product, and sales capabilities. We can really bring Chinese innovation and manufacturing to the world, showing overseas customers we can produce even better brands," Li said.
The founder of Heybike is not the only CES participant from China having an international vision. Founders like Eric Miao, CEO of Elehear, also embody the global perspective of China's new generation of entrepreneurs.
After graduating from the University of British Columbia and working in the United States, Miao returned to China to develop AI-featured hearing aids. His company is currently pursuing the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval to enter the U.S. medical device market.
The presence of Chinese products in international markets is particularly evident in companies like InMotion, which, according to the company's Deputy General Manager Liu Xiaqing, has captured about 50 percent of the global electric unicycle market.
Their products, typically priced above 1,000 U.S. dollars, represent the evolution from basic manufacturing to sophisticated innovation. InMotion's success is built on a foundation of over 400 patents and in-house development of critical components, including battery management systems, motors and control systems, Liu said.
The transformation of these entrepreneurs' dreams into reality is supported by Shenzhen's comprehensive ecosystem. The city offers a robust supply chain, supportive government initiatives and a concentration of technical talent.
Companies like InMotion have benefited from supportive programs while others leverage the city's manufacturing expertise to scale quickly.
Meanwhile, the presence of major technology firms like Huawei and Tencent has created a talent pool that feeds into the startup ecosystem. Government support, including streamlined procedures and transparent policies, has further accelerated the growth of these companies.
For these young entrepreneurs, Shenzhen represents more than just a city -- it's a springboard for their global ambitions. Their stories reflect a broader transformation in Chinese innovation, where determination, technical expertise and the right ecosystem combined to create companies capable of competing on the world stage.
As these founders continue to push boundaries and break new ground, they are not just building successful businesses; they are reshaping global perceptions of Chinese innovation and manufacturing excellence. ■
