The Krypton Temple: China's Surging Tech Start-Up Scene

[unhappycamper]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/china-tech-start-up-scene-turning-heads-globally-a-953319.html



A decade ago, the tech scene in China was grim. But these days young start-ups are turning heads and attracting investors from overseas. As their products find success abroad, Chinese entrepreneurs are acting locally, but thinking globally.

The Krypton Temple: China's Surging Tech Start-Up Scene
By Bernhard Zand in Beijing
February 13, 2014 – 06:05 PM

It's a private party in The Basement, a club in Beijing's Sanlitun nightlife quarter: "We Will Rock You" blares from the speakers as about 100 young Chinese gyrate on the dance floor. The women are wearing glowing red, green and blue headbands. The men are filming them with their iPhones.

The Internet firm 36Kr is throwing the party for customers and employees to bid farewell to the year of the snake. The company's third year, and its most successful, is just coming to an end.

After three more songs, the band takes its first break. Several acts follow, including a fire-eater, a stripper and a can-can dance troupe. And then comes the climax of the Chinese new year's party: the raffle drawing. "Okay, everyone log in to Weixin," the MC says, "and shake your phones: three, two, one, now!"

Weixin, WeChat in English, is the most successful Chinese chat app and everyone in The Basement had it installed on their mobile devices. When the phone is shaken, the app displays a list of everyone nearby within just seconds. Those at the top of the moderator's Weixin list win the raffle: iPhones, paid vacation days, giant-screen televisions. One winner is so ecstatic that, new iPad in hand, he begins breakdancing on stage. Then the band returns for the next set.


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Doesn't this remind you of Silicon Valley in the 90s?