On July 9, Shenzhen’s newest hardware accelerator/coworking space, Troublemaker, had its grand debut in the highly tech-savvy area of Huaqiangbei. During a lengthy opening event, foreign and Chinese visitors alike flocked over to explore the spacious area and pepper staff with questions.
Two attendees hold a conversation inside one of Troublemaker's workshop areas.
For one: in a city where innovation runs rampant and makerspaces abound, what does Troublemaker offer that’s new?
In an interview, the four co-founders were more than willing to explain what sets their space apart: according to Nicolas Deladerriere, compared to some other accelerators, Troublemaker is “a bit more open.”
Fellow co-founder Henk Werner added: “anybody with a good idea is welcome.”
Troublemaker's four co-founders.
When someone brings an idea to Troublemaker, they explained, the staff there are able to help realize it, creating a marketable product. The space boasts “gurus,” specialists in everything from product design to venture capitalism, for hire. On top of that, the co-founders themselves each have considerable experience in technology and product development, in China and abroad.
Their expertise and connections allow the co-founders to dream up some ambitious plans. Although the space in Huaqiangbei has only recently opened, the four men are already taking steps to create a global network of accelerators.
Co-founder Robert Ottar Mevatne explained that before Christmas this year three more Troublemakers would be up and running: one in Norway, another in Berlin, and another just across the border in Hong Kong.
Badges "fresh out of the oven" were distributed at the opening event.
Although all the cofounders and many of the staff are foreign-born, they showed great willingness to collaborate with local developers and would-be entrepreneurs.
Many of the Chinese visitors at the event, on their part, expressed curiosity about the space, and the services offered. Tina Chen, a native of Anhui Province who has lived in Shenzhen for 15 years, runs a company in Huaqiangbei that produces LED lights. With an expert eye, she commented that Troublemaker’s environment and location are both good, although storage for prototypes might be limited.
Huang Yumei, a budding entrepreneur, is less knowledgeable about the area but nevertheless excited about Troublemaker’s potential. Although she’s unsure what possibilities the accelerator and coworking space might bring her, she’s willing to explore: “I’m here to learn something new.”
READ MORE: Have Shenzhen's Innovation Hubs Become too Commercial?
[Photos by He Long for Shenzhen Special Zone News, Bailey Hu]
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