Taylor Ogan, Snow Bull Capital: China's tech frontier, the view from Shenzhen, Part 2
Feb 27, 2025
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Taylor Ogan, CEO of Snow Bull Capital, dives into the tech landscape of Shenzhen, China's Silicon Valley. He discusses the rise of Huawei, emphasizing its impact on innovation amid U.S. restrictions. The conversation shifts to breakthroughs in AI, including Chinese advancements in humanoid robotics, and the complex interplay between government and tech companies. Ogan also reflects on China's startup ecosystem, showcasing its resilience and creativity, and shares insights on the evolving semiconductor race and potential investment opportunities.
Shenzhen is emerging as a crucial tech hub, showcasing innovative advancements like RoboTaxis and drone deliveries that define its unique atmosphere.
Huawei's Mate 60 launch underscores China's growing semiconductor technology while revitalizing national pride and showcasing resilience against Western restrictions.
DeepSeek's rise signifies a transformative shift in China's tech landscape, marking a newfound confidence among local engineers in competing globally.
Deep dives
The Distinctiveness of Shenzhen
Shenzhen is portrayed as a unique and rapidly evolving hub, contrasting greatly with other cities in China. It showcases advanced technological integration, such as RoboTaxis and drone deliveries, which are common sights in the area. This atmosphere fosters innovation, and residents enthusiastically engage in conversations about the latest tech advancements, including prominent companies like Huawei and DeepSeek. The significance of Shenzhen is pitted against the backdrop of global leaders' interactions, emphasizing that understanding its dynamics is crucial for anyone wanting to grasp the future of technology.
The Impact of Huawei's Mate 60 Launch
The launch of Huawei's Mate 60 signifies a pivotal moment in China's technological resilience, representing a shift towards domestic production following restrictions from Western governments. It incorporates domestically produced components, demonstrating China's advancements in semiconductor technology despite previous setbacks. This moment is interpreted not just as a product launch, but as a cultural touchstone that has revitalized national pride and sparked widespread discussions among all demographics in Shenzhen. The excitement surrounding this launch reflects a burgeoning confidence in China's ability to innovate independently on the global stage.
DeepSeek's Industry Disruption
DeepSeek is emerging as a groundbreaking entity in China's tech landscape, with its potential compared to significant Western companies like OpenAI. The timing of its release coinciding with major shifts in Chinese New Year enhances its cultural significance, demonstrating how local engineers are fostering a newfound confidence in their capabilities. The anticipation for DeepSeek's advancements reflects a broader trend in Chinese tech where self-developed technologies are increasingly finding recognition beyond domestic borders. This shift underscores an evolution in the mentality of Chinese engineers, who now embrace competitive benchmarks and the excitement of global validation.
AI Evolution and Global Recognition
The podcast highlights a growing awareness of AI developments in China, particularly with models such as Kimi and DeepSeek gaining traction in global discussions. The narrative suggests that while Western perceptions often underestimate or overlook Chinese innovations, a shift is occurring as Chinese technology becomes more prominent in international conversations. Effective marketing and ease of access to these advanced models are recognized as vital to fostering their global acceptance. This is a strategic move to enhance China's position in the global tech ecosystem and improve how foreign markets perceive their advancements.
Challenges and Opportunities in Investment
Despite a backdrop of innovation, skepticism persists among Western investors regarding China's investability following a prolonged period of political and economic uncertainty. However, there are indications that domestic investors remain optimistic, with significant movements into Hong Kong's markets observed. The podcast suggests that as the Chinese economy continues to grow and improve technologically, investors, both domestic and foreign, may gradually regain confidence. Ultimately, fostering a deeper understanding of the technological and entrepreneurial landscape in China could encourage increased global investment as perceptions begin to shift.
Taylor Ogan is Chief Executive Officer of Snow Bull Capital, based in Shenzhen, China. His firm invests in Chinese technology companies, with a focus on areas such as clean energy, AI, and automation.
(11:32) - The Role of Government in Tech Development
(26:17) - Humanoid Robots: The Next Frontier
(38:01) - Huawei and PLA?
(40:49) - The Semiconductor Race
(43:13) - Huawei's accelerated chip development
(45:13) - Government's Role in Technological Advancements
(46:21) - China's Domestic Tech Ecosystem
(48:56) - Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship in China
(51:57) - Corporate Culture and Innovation
(55:48) - China's Competitive Edge in Various Industries
(01:00:00) - Perceptions and Realities of Chinese Tech
(01:08:37) - When will China be "investible" again for Western funds?
Music used with permission from Blade Runner Blues Livestream improvisation by State Azure.
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Steve Hsu is Professor of Theoretical Physics and of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at Michigan State University. Previously, he was Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation at MSU and Director of the Institute of Theoretical Science at the University of Oregon. Hsu is a startup founder (SuperFocus.ai, SafeWeb, Genomic Prediction, Othram) and advisor to venture capital and other investment firms. He was educated at Caltech and Berkeley, was a Harvard Junior Fellow, and has held faculty positions at Yale, the University of Oregon, and MSU. Please send any questions or suggestions to manifold1podcast@gmail.com or Steve on X @hsu_steve.
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