Shenzhen InnoX Academy – Shenzhen Bootcamp

ShenTech Bootcamp

January 2 - 19, 2024

Join our next-level global adventure

Bring your innovative products to life in Shenzhen

The ShenTech Bootcamp in Shenzhen, China is a next-level challenge for high-achieving startup founders, students and aspiring entrepreneurs to maximize business potential using innovation strategies, hands-on activities and network experiences designed to turn your ideas into market-ready products and services that can address global challenges.

Hands-on innovation activities

Build your product in Shenzhen’s cutting-edge labs and prototyping facilities.

Network with Shenzhen's ecosystem

Connect with market experts, investors and startups through behind-the-scenes tours.

Maximize your entrepreneurial potential

Gain the essential skills for building and launching a successful startup.

What's in Store

Shenzhen's Entrepreneurial Journey

Join us for an exclusive 18-day program in Shenzhen, China from January 2 to 19, 2024, and unlock a world of opportunities in one of the world’s foremost technology, manufacturing, and research hubs. Our partnership with leading innovation collaborators in Shenzhen will empower you to enhance your skills and capabilities across various domains, including industrial innovation, technology transfer, talent exchange, incubation, and more.

With a curriculum co-developed alongside Shenzhen InnoX Academy, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to become an entrepreneur and immerse yourself in the world of technology innovation. When you become a part of this prestigious ecosystem, you’ll enjoy exceptional benefits:

Learn from experts affiliated with top-performing industries, businesses and academic institutions in China
Access cutting-edge labs and prototyping facilities
Learn design thinking skills and strategies for building and launching startups
Develop technical solutions for hardware and prototyping projects
Tour the greater Shenzhen ecosystem for immersive, behind-the-scenes takeaways
Meet investors, corporate officers, disruptive startups and other ecosystem players

Why KAUST

Empowering Innovation Excellence

As a leading institute of research excellence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KAUST shapes innovation impact with a complement of outstanding assets, including its globally recognized faculty and subject experts; world-class facilities; advanced training and specialized equipment; and network of partnerships with Saudi industries, ministries and academic entities in fields such as telecommunications, energy and environmental engineering, materials design, computer science and bioscience, to name a few.

Why Shenzhen

Silicon Valley of China

One of the most technologically-advanced cities in the world, Shenzhen is dubbed the “Silicon Valley of China” for its record of research innovation, commercialization and economic output, with many important industries and institutions headquartered there.

The ShenTech sponsor, Shenzhen InnoX Academy (InnoX), is among the high-profile institutions in partnership with KAUST. Its technology ecosystem and advanced training camps attract outstanding talent from around the world to further innovation projects and investment. InnoX founder Dr. Zexiang Li is an honorary Distinguished Professor at KAUST who serves on faculty in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Prof. Li is the founder of XbotPark, a global startup incubator focusing in robotics and smart hardware, and he is the co-founder of DJI, a unicorn world leader in developing, manufacturing and selling drones.

The ShenTech curriculum draws upon Dr. Li’s vast experience in the Shenzhen ecosystem, and participants will have many opportunities for direct engagement with key players and accomplished founders in the Greater Bay Area.

Ready to

join an amazing team of innovators?

Application Closed

October 31, 2023

Application open

November 15, 2023

Application close

January 1, 2024

Travel to Shenzhen, China

January 2-19, 2024

Shenzhen Bootcamp

Uncovering the Secrets of Billion-Dollar Ventures

Shenzhen's Pioneering Success Stories

Shenzhen is a worldwide incubator for successful startups and unicorns. The following companies are successful offsprings of the Shenzhen ecosystem, valued at more than $1 billion each for their groundbreaking, impactful technologies, surpassing benchmark goals for growth in less than ten years. What can we learn from these startups? At ShenTech, meet these and other startup founders and hear their insights on the strategies that helped them succeed.

DJI

DJI is a world leading drone company — the 20th most valued unicorn in the world, with a market share of over 70% worldwide, and a value estimated at more than $15 billion US dollars. Its drones offer professional and consumer applications in filmmaking, agriculture, search and rescue, energy infrastructure, and other capabilities. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, with additional offices in Germany, Japan, South Korea, the US and China.

Ecoflow Technology Ltd

Ecoflow Technology Ltd is a manufacturer and distributor of energy storage batteries for home and business applications. The rising unicorn is based in Shenzhen, China, with operations around the world. Ecoflow is valued at more than $10 million USD. Notable investors include leading supply chain and manufacturing companies, among them, Sequoia Capital China and GL Ventures.

Narwal

Narwal is a unicorn startup that produces auto-detect robotic sweepers and mops for homes and businesses. Since its inception in 2016, the company has steadily risen in value to now command approximately 15.00% of China’s robot vacuum cleaner market.

ShenTech Bootcamp — FAQs

01 Who should apply?

Graduates with technical degrees in engineering, math and/or applied sciences, and founders with hardware, robotics or smart devices solutions are strongly encouraged to apply!

02 How much does the program cost?

The ShenTech Bootcamp in Shenzhen, China is a free program that KAUST is offering to participants. Hotel accommodations, travel fare, training fees, tours and meals are included in the cost. Individuals should bring spending money for souvenirs, personal items and outings.

03 What is the itinerary?

Logistics for the 18-day bootcamp curriculum are being planned by KAUST in coordination with Shenzhen InnoX Academy, our program partner. Accepted participants will be contacted by a KAUST representative with the timeline details and other pertinent information.

04 What are the travel dates?

Departure from Saudi Arabia to China is slated for either January 1 or 2, 2024. The final booking will be determined based on ticket availability and confirmed in early December.

05 Travel documents

Please ensure that your passport is current and that you will be able to travel within the allotted timeframe. KAUST will support accepted participants with visa applications to China.

06 Contact information

All applicants will be notified by December 1st 2023
If you have additional questions, please reach out: shen.tech@kaust.edu.sa