InvestorLeading venture capital firm in China.
Shenzhen startup ecosystem
Explore documented companies, programs, research institutions, and investors connected to Shenzhen. Superscout does not promise local investment access.
About
Tencent’s official history identifies Shenzhen as its founding city in 1998 and its current headquarters; Tencent also describes cloud computing and fintech among its services. DJI dates its start to 2006, records a move to Xili Startup Park in 2008, and identifies Shenzhen as its headquarters. DJI lists applications spanning filmmaking, agriculture, conservation, search and rescue, and energy infrastructure. BYD Media attributes Shenzhen BYD Industrial’s founding in February 1995 to Wang Chuanfu and describes the group’s activities across automobile, rail transit, new energy, and electronics.
In a report dated June 8, 2026, Shenzhen SASAC attributed 408 portfolio-company listings to the Shenzhen Capital Group-managed municipal guidance fund and recorded 1,138 Angel Mother Fund start-up projects and three listings over eight years. Shenzhen’s 2025–2026 venture-capital action plan, published March 12 and effective March 22, 2025, described measures concerning early-stage funding, fund-manager selection, and Qianhai and Hetao funding structures; the plan did not establish a presently open founder grant.
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Shenzhen ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Listed as | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Innovation Index: Innovation Cluster Ranking (formerly Science and Technology Clusters) | 2026 | Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou | #1 | No change | B | Innovation, Research, Activity |
 Global Financial Centres Index | GFCI 40 | Shenzhen | #8 | Up 1 | B | Finance, Competitiveness, Business Climate |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | Shenzhen | #17 | Up 4 | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) | GSER 2026 | Shenzhen | #19 | Down 2 | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent, Innovation |
40 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Shenzhen
Investors 33
Investor
InvestorInvesting in innovation across technology, healthcare, and consumer goods.
InvestorTransforming businesses through venture capital and innovation.
The 3 most prominent of 33. Browse all investors
Accelerators 4
AcceleratorBrinc is a global venture accelerator headquartered in Hong Kong, specializing in IoT, connected hardware, and climate tech. It supports startups…
AcceleratorAccelerating technology startups globally.
AcceleratorFostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Shenzhen.
The 3 most prominent of 4. Browse all accelerators
Incubators 2
IncubatorBridging creative and tech sectors between Edinburgh and Shenzhen.
IncubatorIncubator for innovative projects and entrepreneurial teams.
Venture studios 1
Venture studioEmpowering entrepreneurs through collaborative innovation.
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Shenzhen
UniversityListed in 4 rankings
UniversityListed in 3 rankings
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Shenzhen
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Shenzhen
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Shenzhen
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
- Shenzhen UniversityUniversity
- Southern University of Science and TechnologyUniversity
- How scouting works
From public sources
What the sources say about Shenzhen
The plan includes manager selection and Qianhai/Hetao funding structures but does not identify a presently open founder grant.
Source: 深圳市促进风投创投高质量发展行动方案（2025-2026）发布The announcement says the 2025–2026 venture-capital action plan took effect on March 22, 2025.
Source: 深圳市促进风投创投高质量发展行动方案（2025-2026）发布The municipal report attributes 408 portfolio listings to the Shenzhen Capital Group-managed guidance fund and records 1,138 Angel Mother Fund start-up projects and three listings over eight years.
Source: 深圳国资基金体系覆盖企业全生命周期 投向“20+8”产业集群资金占比超九成BYD reports its new-energy vehicles present in more than 120 countries and regions by April 2026 and highlights Blade Battery and hybrid technology.
Source: About BYDBYD Media attributes Shenzhen BYD Industrial’s founding in February 1995 to Wang Chuanfu and describes the group’s four industry areas.
Source: Wang ChuanfuDJI lists applications spanning creative work, agriculture, conservation, emergency response and energy infrastructure.
Source: About Us
Questions about Shenzhen
How does Shenzhen rank as a startup ecosystem?
Shenzhen is #17 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 4 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Shenzhen?
33 investors based in Shenzhen have a profile here, including Oriental Fortune Capital, Cowin Venture Capital and Rouge International & Rouge Ventures. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Shenzhen?
Yes. Shenzhen has 4 accelerators, 2 incubators and 1 venture studio on record, including Brinc, Edinburgh-Shenzhen Creative Exchange (ESCE) and 魔豆GOGO联合创业.
Which universities are in Shenzhen?
2 universities have a profile: Shenzhen University and Southern University of Science and Technology.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Shenzhen
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