LAUNCH THE DRAGON
Startup Delegation to SHANGHAI

Sept 21 - 28, 2025

PARTICIPATION FEE

€854 net /pax

*click for details

Conference

S-Tron (23.&24.09.)

Visa

German nationals enjoy currently Visa-free entrance to China

DEADLINE

July 27th, 2025

Apply HERE

China's New Innovation Renaissance: Your Strategic Entry Point to Asia's Largest Market

As geopolitical shifts reshape global business opportunities, China's post-COVID reopening and increasing openness to international collaboration presents a unique moment for European startups. With U.S. market entry becoming more complex, China offers an increasingly attractive alternative for international expansion. The AsiaBerlin Shanghai Delegation provides your startup with direct access to this opportunity through S-Tron, China's largest independently operated innovation summit, followed by curated visits to manufacturing powerhouses in nearby provinces. Beyond Shanghai's vibrant startup ecosystem, these industrial hubs - already home to 600+ successful German companies - offer unprecedented access to manufacturing excellence, distribution networks, and local government support. Through guaranteed pitch slots at S-Tron, pre-arranged meetings with Chinese VCs and corporate innovation teams, and exclusive site visits to innovation centers like SAP's Innovation Hub and TusStar, your startup gains immediate traction in the world's largest consumer market. As China embraces international collaboration with renewed vigor and European companies seek alternatives to traditional expansion routes, this delegation offers a timely, structured pathway into an ecosystem eager to welcome innovative European technologies and solutions.

Conference

S-Tron 2025

China's Leading Independent
Innovation Summit

Launch your China journey at S-Tron Shanghai - China's largest independently operated innovation summit. Over two high-impact days, international startups will gain direct access to China's leading VCs, corporate innovation teams, and potential manufacturing partners. Unlike government-backed conferences, S-Tron offers a community-launched, authentic, market-driven environment where international founders can showcase their solutions, explore market entry strategies, and connect with decision-makers from China's vibrant technology and industrial landscape.

As part of the AsiaBerlin delegation, you'll receive:

  • Guaranteed pitch slots to present your solution to Chinese investors
  • Access to S-Tron's premium matchmaking platform
  • Pre-arranged meetings with potential partners and investors
  • Dedicated support from our China team throughout the conference
  • VIP networking access at exclusive dinner events

Whether you're seeking Chinese investment, exploring manufacturing partnerships, or planning market entry, this curated conference experience ensures maximum visibility and connection opportunities for your startup in the Chinese market.

Strategic Matchmaking: Your Fast Track to China's Innovation Players

Take your startup to the next level with personalized introductions to Shanghai's most relevant decision-makers. Through AsiaBerlin Ambassador Catherine Duan's extensive network and deep understanding of the Chinese market, we'll set up targeted one-on-one meetings that match your specific goals - whether you're seeking investment, exploring manufacturing partnerships, or planning market entry. 

Post-conference, you'll meet with:

  • Leading Chinese VCs actively investing in international startups
  • Corporate innovation teams looking for new technologies
  • Manufacturing partners who understand international collaboration
  • Government agencies supporting foreign startups
  • Successful founders who've navigated the China market

Catherine's hands-on support ensures you're not just meeting contacts, but connecting with the right stakeholders who can actually move your business forward in China. Each meeting is carefully curated based on your startup's sector, stage, and specific China objectives.

Business Matching 

and Networking

Ecosystem Tours

Inside China's Innovation Powerhouses

Get exclusive access to China's most influential innovation hubs and industrial leaders. Our carefully curated site visits put your startup in front of the right decision-makers at:

Global Tech Leaders

  • SAP Innovation Center: Connect with corporate innovation teams
  • Plug and Play China: Meet potential accelerator partners
  • Huawei: Explore partnership opportunities

Strategic Innovation Hubs

  • TusStar: China's leading university-backed incubator
  • Shanghai Pudong Software Park: Home to 800+ tech companies
  • Receive insider briefings from Invest Shanghai and local innovation centers on market entry strategies, available incentives, and practical regulatory guidance

Each visit is designed to give your startup concrete next steps for entering or expanding in the Chinese market.

Access China's Industrial Innovation Hubs

Venture into China's most dynamic manufacturing and innovation centers where real business opportunities often exceed those in first-tier cities. Our delegation extends beyond Shanghai to explore carefully selected industrial hubs in the Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, where over 600 German companies have already established successful operations.

Each city visit includes:

  • Meetings with local government officials
  • Tours of successful German and international operations
  • Direct introductions to potential manufacturing partners incl factory visits
  • Insights into local incentives and support programs
  • Local networking events

Beyond Shanghai

Strategic Advantage

Berlin Meets China's Innovation Power

Position your startup at the forefront of Europe-China technology collaboration. This delegation opens doors that typically take years to access:

Immediate Market Impact

  • Present to China's largest gathering of VCs and corporate investors
  • Fast-track your market entry through pre-arranged meetings
  • Connect with manufacturing partners who understand European quality standards
  • Access established distribution networks for your products or services

Berlin's Competitive Edge

  • Leverage AsiaBerlin's 25-year track record in China
  • Benefit from existing partnerships with key innovation hubs
  • Join an ecosystem of successful Berlin companies already operating in China
  • Gain insights from peers who've successfully entered the market

By joining this delegation, you're not just exploring opportunities - you're becoming part of a select group of Berlin startups actively shaping the future of Europe-China technology collaboration.

Agenda

21.09.: Arrival

  • Arrival Day
  • Dinner with the Delegates

22.09.: Shanghai Ecosystem Tour

  • Ecosystem Tour during the day
  • Dinner Reception for S-Tron VIPs (yepp, that includes us)

23. - 24.09.: S-Tron Conference

  • Participation in S-Tron
  • Startup pitches
  • business matchmaking

25.09.: Taicang - German Industry City

  • Government & Policy-maker Tour
  • Factory Visits
  • Local Matchmaking
  • Business Dinners and Reception

26.09.: Suzhou

  • Day Program
  • Factory Visit
  • Networking Dinner Reception with politicians and VC's

27.09.: Shanghai Ecosystem Tour

  • Visiting HeSai Tech, a Unicorn in LiDAR Sensorics, meet the founder
  • Visiting Robot factory
  • Evening for your own exploration

28.09.: The Cool China Day (optional)

  • Visiting PopMart store, Chinas exploding collectible phenomena
  • Experience self-driving cars
  • Watertown, visiting a cultural site in beautiful Suzhou that has more bridges than Venice
  • Departure day, if you are in a rush

29.09.: Departure Day

  • Departure from Shanghai Pudong International Airport

*NOTE: Tentative Calendar, Programme is subject to modifications

Apply HERE

Trip cost

and details

Price per Participant: €854 net

What's included:

  • Lunches, and dinners (with the exceptions of the lunch on the conference, because we may be spread out)
  • Local transport (mini bus, train tickets, metro passes)
  • Full Access Pass to S-Tron Conference
  • Curated B2B matchmaking sessions with VCs, corporates, and ecosystem partners
  • Organized ecosystem tours and company visits
  • Participation in the "Cool China Day"
  • Access to exclusive networking events like the Speaker Dinner
  • Ongoing support from the AsiaBerlin team
  • Inclusion of you and your company in AsiaBerlin's communication and marketing activities

What's NOT included?

  • Accommodation
  • Your flight to Shanghai
  • Booth space on S-Tron, if needed (we can get you a discount, tho)
  • Your party expenses

Here's the Deal: We need at least 8 amazing startups on board to give this trip the green light. To make that happen and secure the best spots for you, we ask for a payment commitment at deadline date (July 27th).

The Important Bit: If we don't reach a minimum of 8 founders by July 27nd, 2025, the trip will not happen. This setup allows us to pre-book killer venues and line up those high-value meetings, ensuring the delegation is not just viable, but seriously impactful.

Flights and after hour beverages are not included.
19% VAT will be added onto the above price.

Official Organizer

Conference Support

Partners