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Ronen Mense
Unlock Asia | Mobile Internet & Emerging Technologies Expert
Ronen Mense is a seasoned professional with a strong background in unlocking growth opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. With three generations of experience in Asia and a blend of Western roots and Eastern upbringing, Ronen thrives on facilitating market entry and adoption for companies in this intricate landscape. Having foreseen the impact of mobile devices on the digital realm back in 2005, he transitioned his focus to mobile internet, marketing, and emerging technologies like web3 and AI, showcasing his commitment to staying ahead in the domain.
Highlights
Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing - Thirteen days, five hotels, 40+ Didi rides, 19 customer meetings, 2 Townhall(s), countless internal team catchups (my favorite!), an industry mixer, a media roundtable, and one China Daily interview. Phew.
It was an excellent reminder of what some may know as the unstoppable “China Speed.”
Here are some of my takeaways after a 3+ year China hiatus:
-Shenzhen is easily one of the world’s most advanced cities now; clean air, new skyscrapers, green spaces, open highways, quiet roads (yes EVs now dominate), it has become the tech and hardware hub of the future.
-EVs are the new Android device. I counted 20+ brands of EV's that I have never seen before, and its obvious that more EV's are on the roads in the tier 1 cities than combustion cars. Only a few months ago, BYD overtook VW as the number 1 auto brand in China. The barrier to entry of becoming an EV brand is probably lower in China than anywhere else, expect Chinese brands to soon dominate this industry (like android mobile devices).
-New buildings, super wide roads, robots making milk tea! Cash not accepted. You will be lucky to find a place that takes paper currency. I know. I arrived with 900 in cash and left with 900 in cash…time to start a money collection to join my stamp collection.
-There is a sense of optimism on the domestic and cross-border front. Companies are again aggressively looking to go global, reminiscent of ten years ago when digital exports from China took the world by storm.
-The brands coming out of China are now more poised to compete globally. The dynamism, forward-thinking mindset, and entrepreneurial spirit that define China’s landscape continue to inspire.
As someone who has witnessed this transformation over the past three decades, it is difficult to underestimate China’s potential to aid the global recovery against economic recession.
Can’t wait to get back again! See you at ChinaJoy!
#chinabusiness
