China
Chinese startups join the race to address chip shortage amid funding boom
Would an overheated semiconductor startup scene and the ability to design cutting-edge chips be enough to help China achieve chip self-sufficiency?
TuSimple: Banking on autonomous trucking in the US
TuSimple aims to scale its Waymo-style driverless trucking network to disrupt the $4tn global truck freight market starting with the US, with mass production by 2024
Tuya Smart announces more partnerships, files for IPO in the US
Tuya Smart’s platform enables the creation of smart devices with little or no code writing needed, shortening R&D from months to a matter of days
Amid IPO talk, Meicai continues to push for growth in bid to become China's Sysco
Covid-19 helped speed up expansion to the B2C market for Meicai, China’s most valuable agrifood tech unicorn founded by a farmer’s son
ScentRealm: Digitally reproducing scents on demand
Unlike colors and sounds, scents are hard to code and digitalize. ScentRealm has not only done it, but has also opened its scent editor and database to the public
Kathy Xu stays ahead of the curve in China's VC scene
Dubbed “Queen of VC” in China, Xu has spotted great companies that others were not quite interested in, like Chinese online retail giant JD.com
Bluepha to boost PHA bioplastics production with $30m fresh funding
The Beijing-based startup aims to produce 10,000 tons of PHA bioplastic a year and build a SynBio community through its STEM education spinoff, Bluepha Lab
Clear Plate: Anti-food waste AI that rewards the diners who finish their food
Taking little steps to make a big difference in fighting food waste, Clear Plate engages with digital natives to spread the message
Liquidstar: Bringing decentralized renewable energy to off-grid communities
Using a blockchain-based platform, Liquidstar wants to use smart, modular batteries to power remote, off-grid communities as well as homes, offices and EVs in cities
Thousands of Farmers: Creative subscription model to help farms sell seasonal produce
Just a few months old, Thousands of Farmers plans to add more entertaining features to its farm-to-table social commerce, attracting young consumers
After a Covid-led boom in 2020, what next for China's K-12 edtech?
Unicorns Yuanfudao and Zuoyebang raised more than $6bn combined last year as demand for online learning continues to grow, but some smaller players are running out of cash
Xing Nong Fu: Using earthworms to create sustainable local farming and livelihoods
Worm castings can rehabilitate infertile land due to excessive soil salinity in just seven days, compared with three to five years using traditional methods, and 90% more cheaply
Gago Inc: Satellite data agritech startup ramps up growth with financial sector solutions
Founded by former NASA scientists, Gago began as a data solution to improve China’s traditionally low-yielding and inefficient smallholder-based farming sector
Xu Jinghong: Champion of young entrepreneurs and high-tech startups
Under Xu Jinghong’s leadership, Tsinghua Holdings grew its assets sevenfold and incubated over 10,000 businesses. In his new role as VC investor, Xu wants to nurture startups into future global leaders
With recent funding of $182m, drone maker XAG is set to make its mark as agritech leader
XAG has been reaping the benefits of its 2012 pivot to agriculture as demand for high-tech automation in China’s farms continues to grow strongly amid government push
