The Rise of Spatial Intelligence: Hangzhou's Tech Revolution
March 1, 2025, 4:14 pm
In the heart of China, a tech revolution is brewing. Hangzhou, often overshadowed by Beijing and Shanghai, is emerging as a powerhouse of innovation. At the forefront of this movement is Manycore, a company poised to become the world’s first spatial intelligence unicorn. This ambitious goal is not just a corporate milestone; it symbolizes a broader shift in the global tech landscape.
Manycore filed for a Hong Kong IPO on February 17, 2025. This step marks a significant moment for the company and the entire region. Hangzhou is home to the "Six Little Dragons," a group of six high-tech firms redefining the realms of AI, robotics, and brain-computer interfaces. These companies—DeepSeek, Unitree, Game Science, DEEProbotics, BrainCo, and Manycore—are not just local players; they are making waves on the global stage.
DeepSeek, for instance, has seen explosive growth. In January, it gained 100 million new users in just one week. This rapid expansion showcases the adaptability of its AI foundational model across various industries. Meanwhile, Unitree Technology is captivating audiences with its quadruped robots. The B2-W robotic dog has become a sensation, performing traditional dances at the Spring Festival Gala, watched by over a billion people.
These firms are not just about technology; they are about cultural impact. Game Science’s "Black Myth: Wukong" has gained international acclaim, while DEEProbotics made history with Singapore's first international power tunnel inspection. BrainCo is pioneering non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, enabling the commercialization of AI-powered prosthetic limbs. Manycore’s Koolab technology, leveraging cloud-based 3D spatial intelligence, has transformed design workflows for over 30 million users.
Hangzhou's transformation from an e-commerce hub to a center for hard technology is remarkable. Strategic initiatives, such as the establishment of Zhijiang Lab in 2017 and the AI industrial park in Yuhang District in 2022, have created a fertile ground for innovation. The local government has played a crucial role, providing incentives that have nurtured these startups. For instance, BrainCo was founded in a Boston basement in 2018, but it flourished in Hangzhou thanks to supportive policies. Similarly, Unitree narrowly avoided collapse in 2017, thanks to risk-tolerant funding from the city.
Education is another pillar of this tech renaissance. Zhejiang University, a prestigious institution, has produced many of the founders of the "Six Little Dragons." Its innovative entrepreneurship programs and lab-to-market ecosystems have cultivated a new generation of tech leaders. This synergy between academia and industry is a blueprint for success.
As Hangzhou carves out its identity in the post-internet era, it demonstrates how strategic foresight, collaboration, and supportive legislation can ignite a hard-tech revolution. The city is not just building companies; it is shaping the future of technology.
The cultural landscape is also thriving. The China National Silk Museum recently launched a program inviting Chinese and Italian designers to reinterpret ancient embroidery patterns. This initiative celebrates the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Young designers will merge traditional aesthetics with modern digital techniques, creating wearable art that bridges centuries of cultural heritage.
In another cultural event, the annual memorial rite for King Qian Liu at Qian Wang Temple drew hundreds of visitors. This ceremony honors the first king of the Wuyue Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural values. The event, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage item, showcases the region's rich history and the enduring legacy of its leaders.
On the tech front, Lenovo and Honor are leading the charge in the AI PC sector. They are integrating DeepSeek services into their latest models, witnessing a surge in sales. In the fourth quarter of 2024, AI-capable PCs accounted for 23% of total PC sales. This trend is expected to continue, driven by the popularity of DeepSeek’s low-requirement AI model.
Honor's new AI PC strategy aims to reshape the industry, emphasizing synchronization among devices. Its AI engine enhances user experience, allowing for smart management and decision-making. Lenovo, the world’s largest PC maker, is also adopting DeepSeek across its AI PC models, which now cover a wide range of applications, from medical to legal.
Government support is crucial in this landscape. China’s national subsidy policy for AI PCs is driving down retail prices, making technology more accessible. This initiative is expected to stimulate consumer spending and encourage upgrades to newer devices.
Meanwhile, Adobe is making waves by bringing its Photoshop app to mobile phones for the first time. This move targets younger users who rely on their phones for photography and editing. The app will be available in both free and paid versions, making it more accessible than ever.
In the realm of social media, TikTok has achieved a remarkable milestone. It has become the first non-gaming app to surpass $6 billion in annual in-app purchase revenue. This achievement underscores the platform's dominance and its ability to engage users in new ways.
As Hangzhou continues to rise, it stands as a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and cultural heritage. The city is not just a backdrop for technological advancements; it is a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flourish and the future is being crafted. The world is watching, and Hangzhou is ready to lead the way.
Manycore filed for a Hong Kong IPO on February 17, 2025. This step marks a significant moment for the company and the entire region. Hangzhou is home to the "Six Little Dragons," a group of six high-tech firms redefining the realms of AI, robotics, and brain-computer interfaces. These companies—DeepSeek, Unitree, Game Science, DEEProbotics, BrainCo, and Manycore—are not just local players; they are making waves on the global stage.
DeepSeek, for instance, has seen explosive growth. In January, it gained 100 million new users in just one week. This rapid expansion showcases the adaptability of its AI foundational model across various industries. Meanwhile, Unitree Technology is captivating audiences with its quadruped robots. The B2-W robotic dog has become a sensation, performing traditional dances at the Spring Festival Gala, watched by over a billion people.
These firms are not just about technology; they are about cultural impact. Game Science’s "Black Myth: Wukong" has gained international acclaim, while DEEProbotics made history with Singapore's first international power tunnel inspection. BrainCo is pioneering non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, enabling the commercialization of AI-powered prosthetic limbs. Manycore’s Koolab technology, leveraging cloud-based 3D spatial intelligence, has transformed design workflows for over 30 million users.
Hangzhou's transformation from an e-commerce hub to a center for hard technology is remarkable. Strategic initiatives, such as the establishment of Zhijiang Lab in 2017 and the AI industrial park in Yuhang District in 2022, have created a fertile ground for innovation. The local government has played a crucial role, providing incentives that have nurtured these startups. For instance, BrainCo was founded in a Boston basement in 2018, but it flourished in Hangzhou thanks to supportive policies. Similarly, Unitree narrowly avoided collapse in 2017, thanks to risk-tolerant funding from the city.
Education is another pillar of this tech renaissance. Zhejiang University, a prestigious institution, has produced many of the founders of the "Six Little Dragons." Its innovative entrepreneurship programs and lab-to-market ecosystems have cultivated a new generation of tech leaders. This synergy between academia and industry is a blueprint for success.
As Hangzhou carves out its identity in the post-internet era, it demonstrates how strategic foresight, collaboration, and supportive legislation can ignite a hard-tech revolution. The city is not just building companies; it is shaping the future of technology.
The cultural landscape is also thriving. The China National Silk Museum recently launched a program inviting Chinese and Italian designers to reinterpret ancient embroidery patterns. This initiative celebrates the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. Young designers will merge traditional aesthetics with modern digital techniques, creating wearable art that bridges centuries of cultural heritage.
In another cultural event, the annual memorial rite for King Qian Liu at Qian Wang Temple drew hundreds of visitors. This ceremony honors the first king of the Wuyue Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural values. The event, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage item, showcases the region's rich history and the enduring legacy of its leaders.
On the tech front, Lenovo and Honor are leading the charge in the AI PC sector. They are integrating DeepSeek services into their latest models, witnessing a surge in sales. In the fourth quarter of 2024, AI-capable PCs accounted for 23% of total PC sales. This trend is expected to continue, driven by the popularity of DeepSeek’s low-requirement AI model.
Honor's new AI PC strategy aims to reshape the industry, emphasizing synchronization among devices. Its AI engine enhances user experience, allowing for smart management and decision-making. Lenovo, the world’s largest PC maker, is also adopting DeepSeek across its AI PC models, which now cover a wide range of applications, from medical to legal.
Government support is crucial in this landscape. China’s national subsidy policy for AI PCs is driving down retail prices, making technology more accessible. This initiative is expected to stimulate consumer spending and encourage upgrades to newer devices.
Meanwhile, Adobe is making waves by bringing its Photoshop app to mobile phones for the first time. This move targets younger users who rely on their phones for photography and editing. The app will be available in both free and paid versions, making it more accessible than ever.
In the realm of social media, TikTok has achieved a remarkable milestone. It has become the first non-gaming app to surpass $6 billion in annual in-app purchase revenue. This achievement underscores the platform's dominance and its ability to engage users in new ways.
As Hangzhou continues to rise, it stands as a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and cultural heritage. The city is not just a backdrop for technological advancements; it is a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flourish and the future is being crafted. The world is watching, and Hangzhou is ready to lead the way.