Special economic zone

Shenzhen Hardware Hacker Scene – Key People & Places

Guest Post: Martin Pasquier

If you were waiting for a sign that China has changed and is an amazing huge thing adapting to the new industrial revolution, Shenzhen hosting a Maker Faire is probably a good sign.

Shenzhen_MMF_logos_long

Take what was a fishing village 30 years ago, with 200-300 000 inhabitants.

Shenzhen in the 70s

Shenzhen in the 70s

Credit: Chris CC

Create a special economic zone to attract migrants from all over the country.

Make it the biggest factory-city in the world. Wait a few years.

When you feel the internet wave hitting the hardware and manufacturing industry, turn it into a capital city for prototypers and makers of all sorts.

Add new innovative stuff, from open-innovation into life sciences to think tanks.

Shenzhen, from the fishing village to the 20 million Population Manufacturing Juggernaut in 30 years.

 

Shenzhen Airport -Credit Forgemind ArchiMedia CC

Shenzhen Airport -Credit Forgemind ArchiMedia CC

Well, that’s quite a series of shortcuts but you get the bigger picture: Shenzhen, China, is increasingly recognized as the city in the world where creating hardware and real stuff is not only possible, but cheaper and better than anywhere else.

SEG Plaza Shenzhen - Credit Wikipedia

SEG Plaza Shenzhen – Credit Wikipedia

 

SEG Plaza

SEG Plaza

Here are the key facts and people in the Shenzhen Maker Movement

[slideshare id=35251499&doc=innovationiseverywhere-shenzhenchinastartuptechinnovationecosystem-140529033304-phpapp02]

Original story and Slide Deck by Martin Pasquier from Innovation is Everywhere, a world tour of tech and startup ecosystems in the emerging markets. Mike Nicholls edited, adapted and contributed to this story.

Logo Innovation is Everywhere

 

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