About Deep Tech sector in China
The Deep Tech sector in China comprises 8.64K companies, including 2.7K funded companies having collectively raised $162B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 1.28K are Series A+ funded, and 61 have achieved unicorn status.
Deep Tech sector in China has seen 50 acquisitions and 182 IPOs.
This sector includes companies that are developing products based on innovative technology and scientific developments such as blockchain, AI, advanced robotics, IoT , etc.
Deep Tech sector is also known as DeepTech, Deep-Tech, Digital Deep or Deep Technology Solutions.
Includes companies implementing technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, computer vision, robotics, nanotechnology, IoT into their products. Also includes companies providing infrastructure to develop blockchain, AI, IoT technology such as development tools, smart contracts, and sensor technology, among others. Excludes companies developing products of conventional technology (Shallow Tech) such as conventional digital platforms, conventional robotics in industrial automation, among others.
Top Deep Tech Companies in China
There are 8,645 Deep Tech startups in China which include DJI, BITMAIN, Ehang, Espressif, Geekplus. Out of these, 2,701 startups are funded, with 1,278 having secured Series A+ funding, and 61 achieving unicorn status.
2026 has seen the creation of 31 Deep Tech startups in China. Over the past 10 years, an average of 323 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Tsinghua University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Stanford University.
Here is the list of top Deep Tech startups in China
1. DJI
Manufacturer of camera drones handheld stabilizers and intelligent agricultural equipment. Products include aerial photography platforms, gimbal systems for video production, and automated machinery for crop management. The business provides hardware for transportation, delivery, and professional filmmaking. Support services include maintenance programs and technical assistance for hardware operation.
Key facts about DJI
2. BITMAIN
Developer of hardware solutions for crypto mining. It provides users with a platform that is based on the application-specific integrated chip miner technology for Bitcoin mining. It also offers cloud solutions, for blockchain and artificial intelligence applications.
Key facts about BITMAIN
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: Beijing (China)
- Stage: Series C
- Total Funding till date: $950M
- Investors: Sequoia Capital, IDG Capital and 27 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series C, Aug 13, 2018, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 78/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 462 Competitors
3. Ehang
Developer of autonomous aerial vehicles and related command and control systems. It focuses on providing solutions for aerial transportation and related applications. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and operates these systems. It also offers services related to the operation and maintenance of its products.
Key facts about Ehang
- Founded Year: 2014
- Location: Guangzhou (China)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $52M
- Investors: Granite Asia, GP Capital and 14 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Nov 14, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 77/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 3 of 298 Competitors
4. Espressif
Provider of wireless communication chips, software, cloud, and AIoT solutions. They offer a range of SoCs, modules, and development kits for various applications. The company delivers software development kits, including those for matter, and cloud-based platforms. They provide resources, technical documents, and support services to assist developers.
Key facts about Espressif
- Founded Year: 2007
- Location: Shanghai (China)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $3.3M
- Investors: Intel Education Accelerator, BOE Technology Group and 7 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series A, May 08, 2018, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 76/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 193 Competitors
5. Geekplus
Provider of robotics solutions for warehouse and logistics automation needs. The company offers software for unmanned warehouse operations, including storage, picking, and sorting. Core platforms power daily operations, while tools allow for monitoring and control. The company provides integration with existing systems and enterprise-grade information security.
Key facts about Geekplus
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: Beijing (China)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $532M
- Investors: Warburg Pincus, Intel Capital and 16 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series E, Aug 08, 2022, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 2,738 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Deep Tech sector in China
31 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Deep Tech sector in China. 612 Deep Tech startups in China were founded in 2017 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 31 |
2025 | 138 |
2024 | 177 |
2023 | 326 |
2022 | 306 |
2021 | 358 |
2020 | 302 |
2019 | 453 |
2018 | 529 |
2017 | 612 |
Stage-wise distribution of Deep Tech sector companies in China
Out of the total 8,645 Deep Tech companies in China, 2,701 have secured funding. Among them, 1,278 have reached Series A or higher, and 786 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 8,645
Funded - 2,701
Series A+ - 1,278
Series B+ - 786
Series C+ - 480
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 8,645 |
Funded | 2,701 |
Series A+ | 1,278 |
Series B+ | 786 |
Series C+ | 480 |
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Funding Trends in the Deep Tech sector in China
Total funding year-on-year in the Deep Tech sector in China
The Deep Tech sector in China saw a total funding of more than $158B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding has been in 2026 at more than $55.6B till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $55.6B |
2025 | $7.41B |
2024 | $6.1B |
2023 | $6.57B |
2022 | $19.7B |
2021 | $19.9B |
2020 | $13.9B |
2019 | $5.99B |
2018 | $18B |
2017 | $4.41B |
Recent Funding Rounds in Deep Tech in China
In the year 2026, till October 2026, Deep Tech companies in China have raised $45.7B in equity funding across 303 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till October 2025), Deep Tech companies in China had raised $4.12B across 148 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 1008.2% rise in funding in Deep Tech companies in China as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Deep Tech companies in China:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series B | 2210 | Oct 28, 2026 | ||
Series C | 4695 | Oct 25, 2026 | ||
Series B | 2490 | Oct 22, 2026 | ||
Series C | 6484 | Oct 21, 2026 | - | |
Series C | 5667 | Oct 20, 2026 |
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Top Investors in Deep Tech in China
Plug and Play Tech Center is the top investor in Deep Tech companies in China based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Deep Tech companies in China:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Sunnyvale (United States) | ||
New York City (United States) | ||
Hong Kong (China) | ||
Menlo Park (United States) | ||
Hong Kong (China) |
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M&A activity in Deep Tech sector in China
In the year 2026, till October 2026, 4 acquisitions happened in Deep Tech sector in China. Last year, in 2025, a total of 4 acquisitions happened in Deep Tech sector in China.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Deep Tech sector in China:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Oct 12, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jul 21, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Feb 11, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Dec 19, 2025 |
Acquisition trends in Deep Tech sector in China
Here are the acquisition trends in Deep Tech sector in China:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 4 |
2025 | 4 |
2024 | 5 |
2023 | 7 |
2022 | 9 |
2021 | 2 |
2020 | 3 |
2019 | 5 |
2018 | 2 |
2017 | 3 |
IPOs in Deep Tech in China
In the year 2026, till September 2026, 32 IPOs happened in Deep Tech sector in China.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Deep Tech sector in China:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Sep 30, 2026 | Hong Kong Exchanges (HKG) | |
Sep 29, 2026 | Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) | |
Sep 22, 2026 | Hong Kong Exchanges (HKG) | |
Sep 11, 2026 | Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) | |
Sep 09, 2026 | Hong Kong Exchanges (HKG) |
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Colleges which produce the most Deep Tech companies in China
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Deep Tech in China
Most number of Deep Tech startups in China have been founded by alumni from Tsinghua University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Stanford University.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Tsinghua University | 52 |
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) | 22 |
Stanford University | 16 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 11 |
Harvard University | 10 |
University of California (Berkeley) | 10 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 9 |
Columbia University | 7 |
Imperial College London | 6 |
National University of Singapore (NUS) | 6 |
Total funding in Deep Tech companies founded by alumni from top colleges in China
In the last 10 years, Tsinghua University graduates' Deep Tech companies in China have raised the most funding among top colleges. Columbia University alumni are second, and Carnegie Mellon University alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Tsinghua University | $9.13B |
Columbia University | $2.14B |
Carnegie Mellon University | $1.46B |
Stanford University | $1B |
Johns Hopkins University | $846M |
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) | $824M |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $669M |
Cornell University | $652M |
Wharton School | $625M |
University of California (Los Angeles) | $534M |
Top News in Deep Tech in China
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China's Zhipu co-launches $150m AI fundTech in Asia•Oct 23, 2026•Jiangmen Ventures, Z.ai, Quantitative
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InHand ODU12 Receives Verizon Open Development CertificationAccess Newswire•Oct 22, 2026•Beijing InHand Networks Technology
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Zhipu, Jiangmen Ventures, and QuantGroup Establish RMB 1 Billion Cognitive Intelligence FundBusinessFortNight•Oct 22, 2026•Jiangmen Ventures, Z.ai, Quantitative
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AlphaESS Partners with Homey App for AI-Powered Energy Management in Connected Homespv magazine•Oct 16, 2026•Homey, Alpha ESS
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PATEO and Arm Sign Strategic MoU to Advance Physical AI InnovationPR Newswire•Sep 23, 2026•Arm, PATEO, Tier4 Robotics
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ExpressVPN Launches Fortify Router in Partnership with GL.iNetSecurityBrief•Sep 17, 2026•Express Vpn, GL.iNet
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CATL Subsidiary to Invest $167 Million in Venture Capital FundTech in Asia•Sep 16, 2026•Contemporary Amperex Technology
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Hybrid battery-powered bulk carrier begins operation in Australiapv magazine•Aug 28, 2026•Wartsila, Aykenergy
