DAY 0101
Who is defining the next global product category?
Map the Category Leaders
Go inside representative companies across consumer electronics, robotics, and smart hardware—and see how Shenzhen turns a conviction into an industry.
Silicon Valley × Shenzhen
BFC · INNOVATION MISSION 01
Go inside Shenzhen.
See how innovation happens.
A four-day immersion for founders, investors, and technology leaders. Follow the products, people, and supply chains shaping Physical AI—and discover where global opportunity begins.
November 11–15, 2026 Shenzhen, China 20-person cohort
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01 / WHY SHENZHEN
PHYSICAL AI IS THE LENS
Shenzhen is the system we enter.
We go beyond the companies to understand how they connect—and beyond the products to the talent, supply chains, engineering judgment, and commercial instincts behind them.
4immersive days
12+deep-dive sessions
1:1member matching
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Four days inside a
high-velocity innovation machine
Company visits are finalized around member backgrounds and host availability, so every stop answers a real question for the group.
DAY 0202
Where does the real moat in embodied intelligence live?
Enter the Physical AI Stack
Break down perception, control, actuators, and manufacturing with technical teams. See how AI moves from models into the physical world.
DAY 0303
Who will build Shenzhen’s next generation of innovation?
Meet the Next Wave
Meet founders, product leaders, and engineers to understand Shenzhen’s distinct speed, talent density, and entrepreneurial culture.
DAY 0404
Why does it take weeks here—not months?
Decode the Shenzhen Machine
Connect components, engineering, factories, channels, and capital into an actionable map—and leave with a concrete next step.
SHENZHEN ECOSYSTEM
Learn from companies that have
already built at scale.
Category-defining companies offer a lens into how product, engineering, manufacturing, and global ambition come together.
01
DJI
Aerial robotics & intelligent imaging
A Shenzhen-born global leader integrating flight control, computer vision, precision hardware, and advanced manufacturing.
02
BYD
Batteries, electric mobility & manufacturing
An integrated technology company spanning batteries, electric vehicles, electronics, and large-scale manufacturing.
03
Insta360
Computational imaging & creator hardware
A category-defining camera company combining optics, AI-powered imaging, software, and creator-first product design.
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04
Bambu Lab
Desktop manufacturing & 3D printing
A fast-growing 3D-printing company known for turning complex manufacturing technology into an accessible product experience.
05
EcoFlow
Portable power & smart energy systems
A smart-energy company building portable power, home backup, solar, and connected energy-management systems.
06
XPENG
Intelligent mobility & embodied AI
An intelligent-mobility company extending its AI and engineering capabilities across EVs, robotics, and autonomous systems.
Illustrative ecosystem companies. Specific visits are subject to scheduling and final confirmation.
THE BFC DIFFERENCE
A deeper mission,
built around context
A strong innovation mission is not about filling a calendar. It is about making every conversation answer a real question.
Fieldwork, not reports
Enter companies, labs, and production floors. Understand Shenzhen through real products and real decisions.
The right room, not a crowd
A small cohort creates space for candid conversations and meaningful connections between members.
Connection, not tourism
We match conversations to business goals, turning a short visit into the start of long-term collaboration.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
The right people make
the mission go deeper.
01
Founders searching for their next growth curve
02
Investors focused on robotics, AI, and deep tech
03
Innovation, product, and global expansion leaders
04
Industry and professional partners entering Shenzhen
Before departure, we learn each member’s goals and tune the visits and introductions accordingly.
Confirmed attending
CONFIRMED ATTENDEE
Ian Gunther
Stanford alumnus · Entrepreneur · Creator · Former Team USA gymnast
Ian Gunther is a Stanford alumnus, entrepreneur, content creator, and former U.S. national team artistic gymnast. A four-time NCAA team champion and 10-time NCAA All-American at Stanford, Ian also competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Beyond athletics, he has built a massive social media presence, with 2M+ YouTube subscribers and billions of views, helping bring gymnastics to a global digital audience. He studied Product Design and Sustainability Science & Practice at Stanford.
4×NCAA team champion
10×NCAA All-American
2M+YouTube subscribers
PROGRAM PARTNER
Built with people who know how to turn ideas into real things.
Haymaker Studio joins BFC as a program partner for the Inside Shenzhen innovation mission.
REQUEST AN INVITATION
Ready to enter
the Shenzhen system?
Share a little about yourself. The BFC team will follow up by email to learn about your interests and travel needs.
QUESTIONS?contact@bayareafoundersclub.com
FAQ
Before you go
What does the program fee include?
Pricing and payment details are shared after your application is accepted. The program typically includes curation, company visits, closed-door sessions, local transportation, and selected meals. Flights and accommodation will be detailed in the final package.
Do I need a technical background?
No. What matters is having a real question about industry innovation—and a willingness to engage openly with the cohort.
Why is the program application-based?
The quality of a small group comes from complementary perspectives. Applications help us understand each participant’s goals and design more valuable conversations.
When will the company list be announced?
Core themes are confirmed in advance. Specific hosts are announced in stages based on member interests, availability, and reception schedules.