excellent guide to shenzhen:
https://www.fungglobalretailtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Shenzhen%E2%80%94An-International-Hub-of-Hardware-Innovation-June_16_2017-DF.pdf
highlights of the key zones in Shenzhen:
• Qianhai: A Hong Kong-Shenzhen service center, focusing on high
tech, education, art and logistics services.
• Futian: A political, financial and trading center.
• Luohu: A financial and trading services center.
• Longgang and Pingshan: A modern heavy industrial base.
• Longhua: A transportation and logistics hub.
• Guangming: A local high-tech and eco-agricultural base.
• Aerotropolis: An international logistics and supply-chain base.
• Yantian: A leisure tourism and logistics hub
Shenzhen Capital Group is one the most famous investment groups in the
city, having made it to the top of the list since 1999. Shenzhen Capital
Group managed around ¥208 billion as at the end of March 2017. Its
internal rate of return (IRR), which is ranked number one in China, is over
40%, with more than 730 invested projects. One of the biggest returns in
terms of absolute value is coming from its investment in Shenzhen MTC,
which is now valued at over ¥14 billion. By selling its shares of Shenzhen
MTC on the public market, Shenzhen Capital Group received over ¥1 billion
in return.
China Internet giants Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent have launched their
respective funds in recent years:
• Baidu Ventures aims to support cutting-edge technology, including
AI and virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR). The fund size is
around $200 million. It oversees projects in both the US and China.
• Baidu Capital focuses on later-stage venture investment. The fund
size is around ¥20 billion. It oversees projects in both the US and
China.
• Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund aims to support young entrepreneurs.
The fund size is around $130 million. It oversees projects in Hong
Kong and Taiwan.
• Tencent Industry Win-Win Fund focuses on different stages of
venture investment, including seed, early-stage and later-stage
venture investments. The fund size is ¥5 billion. It oversees projects
mainly in China.
These funds from Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent are founded to serve the
strategic development of different enterprises―for example, Baidu on AIrelated
tech, and Tencent on media and social network projects. Yet, they
provide an alternative exit opportunity for startups and VCs, which is
positive for the entire startup ecosystem.
According to a report from Reuters in February 2017, China’s securities
regulator is considering deregulating the initial public offerings (IPO) of
technology companies, allowing them to jump the queue for the longwaiting
line of IPO applicants. This move, in our view, is a positive sign for
VC funding, as it could shorten the time to exit. Given the current
investment activity in the ecosystem, we believe there is enough venture
capital to support startups in Shenzhen.