Why does the investor not go to the AI ​​conference?
"Smack!" Another investor's business card landed in the box. Shao Tianlan, founder of Mecamand, gave a helpless smile.
Originally, he had come to the Industry Fair to attract customers, but instead, over 50 investment institutions had "learned" from him. Shao was quite "distressed": "I spent more than 200,000 on the exhibition, and there were many customers every day. I often feel like I can't wait. I don't want to take too many investors. I'm even more tired."
It is estimated that at least 156 investors will attend this year's fair, most of them for the first time.
Why are investors suddenly interested in the Industry Fair?
"We are late," said a well-known fund VP, "In fact, we have to review, we are late."
Opportunities in the industrial sector have not been lacking. In 2016, China's industrial added value reached 2.4786 trillion yuan, accounting for more than one-third of GDP. There are nearly 400,000 large-scale industrial enterprises, with total profits of 688.032 billion yuan.
Industrial upgrading has been a trend for years. Two key factors contributed to this shift: the change in the labor factor and the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.
In 2012, China's working-age population (ages 15-59) fell for the first time, decreasing by 3.45 million. Meanwhile, blue-collar wages rose, and younger workers began to resist repetitive, monotonous, and high-risk jobs. This led to frequent reports of labor shortages.
Developed countries also re-evaluated the importance of manufacturing after the 2008 crisis, with Germany launching "Industry 4.0" and other nations introducing similar plans. This posed challenges for China's manufacturing industry, which had relied on cheap labor for decades.
The danger was that original advantages were fading, while new ones hadn’t emerged. China faced a "double attack" from Southeast Asian countries and developed nations' manufacturing returns.
From the Yangtze River Delta to the Pearl River Delta, factory closures became common. In 2014, Suzhou’s Shuhui Technology and Lianjian Technology closed, while in 2015, Dongguan’s Ossex Deshipu Electronics went bankrupt. Wenzhou saw dozens of factories shut down annually since 2009.
"The upgrade of China's industry may seem 'very important' to us, but it's 'life or death' for those on the ground," said Lu Weiru, founder of Kunlun Data.
When markets are weak and supply exceeds demand, factories begin to focus on efficiency and cost control. Some high-tech talents returned to manufacturing, using advanced technology to boost production by 20% or more.
In 2015, the State Council launched "Made in China 2025," aiming to build a global manufacturing power. That year became the hardest for "Made in China" but also the start of "China’s wisdom."
A huge "import substitution" market exists. This year’s Industry Fair attracted many funds, some seeking industrial transformation projects, others following trends in AI and big data. Real Fund invested in 2015 after seeing factories in the Yangtze River Delta struggling.
Huachuang Capital identified pain points and market size, focusing on industries with growth potential. The industrial robot market alone is close to 100 billion yuan, with demand expected to triple by 2020.
Domestic manufacturers are increasingly adopting local parts, creating opportunities for import substitution. Investors now see potential in penetrating the industrial sector.
Compared to AI conferences, the Industry Fair offers a more practical view of how technology integrates into industry. “Many companies remain unknown until you visit the fair,†said Meng Xing, vice president of capital.
Entrepreneurs in the industrial sector are mainly from two groups: "Haigui" (returnees) and "Indigenous" (domestic). Shao Tianlan, founder of Mecamand, studied in Germany, gaining experience in advanced robotics. He aimed to raise the intelligence level of industrial robots.
Heihu Technology, co-founded by Zhenge and Huachuang, was another example of returnees applying Western management ideas to Chinese manufacturing.
Traditional industry startups are also gaining attention. Xuanyu Technology uses machine learning to predict blade changes, reducing downtime. These ventures must overcome established barriers, requiring collaboration rather than isolation.
Investors noted that traditional industries have deep-rooted systems, and startups must find their place. “It’s not about chasing big companies, but opening new paths,†said Zhang Cunliang of Liqun Automation.
Both sides believe the industrial sector must be "grounded." Zhou Yuxiang worked in a factory to understand its needs, inspiring the development of Black Lake’s collaborative system.
However, blind "machine substitution" is a misunderstanding. Foxconn’s failed "Million Robot Project" showed that automation isn’t always straightforward. Experts emphasize human-machine cooperation and gradual progress.
China’s complete industrial system requires tailored solutions, not just imitation. Intelligent manufacturing must focus on digitization, networking, and sensor technology.
AI’s next big opportunity lies in vertical industries. Investors believe long-term patience is needed, as real transformation takes time.
The future of the industrial sector is in deep integration, where technology enhances production and decision-making. As history shows, the next wave of innovation will emerge from the "deep water zone."
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