Dezan Shira & Associates Mentors and Empowers German Start-ups in China Through the Germany Accelerator Program of 2024

March 22, 2024, Shanghai – 2024 marks the third year of Dezan Shira & Associates mentoring German start-ups, reaffirming its commitment to fostering international business growth. This year, a German business delegation of six firms from diverse sectors participated in the Market Access Program by German Accelerator.

Leading the China market discovery sessions were Vivian Mao, Partner at the Shanghai office and a distinguished mentor, and Victoria Li, International Business Advisor, holding extensive experience in facilitating international business operations across various industries in the country.

Victoria Li started her session by talking about the big picture of the Chinese market. Her session covered the macroeconomics of the Chinese market, comparison of business environments across different cities and industries, the different dynamics of investment and trade between China and Germany, and strategic considerations for German companies contemplating China market entry.

Before the session, German Accelerator gave Dezan Shira the business profiles for each participating company, spanning diverse sectors from food & beverage, automotive, and agriculture to SaaS, retailtech, and logistics. Having these profiles allowed our mentors to customize their insights to match the unique conditions and interests of the participants.

Illustrating this further were Vivian’s informative sessions, where she emphasized the importance of building strong business relationships and strategic alliances as crucial aspects of entering the market. Instead of solely concentrating on creating new companies or joint ventures, she advised on various aspects like market entry methods, risk reduction, partner exploration, contract negotiation and management, handling cross-border contract disputes, protecting intellectual property (IP), understanding licensing, tax regulations, and other vital factors for companies stepping into or expanding their presence in China.

“The Chinese market, while mature, retains its unique and dynamic nature, and offers immense opportunities for international expansion. However, its characteristics deeply rooted in a rich culture can pose challenges, especially for SMEs and start-ups. Understanding the local culture, regulatory environment, and tapping into the abundant resources emerging from China’s growing high-tech strength are pivotal for a successful market entry and being able to fully leverage competitive advantages,” Vivian remarked after her coaching session.

Concluding on an optimistic note, the German delegation expressed sincere gratitude for the support and expertise offered by Dezan Shira & Associates. Both sides committed to maintaining ongoing collaboration. Armed with a better understanding of the intricacies of setting up a business in China, the German companies will be able to navigate a clearer path while exploring promising investment opportunities.

Moving forward, Dezan Shira & Associates remains steadfast in supporting and facilitating investment initiatives between Germany and China. With over 30 years of experience in guiding international investors into Asia and a deep understanding of the Chinese business environment, our team stands ready to offer personalized and comprehensive advisory services tailored to meet specific needs. Let’s work together to seize the countless opportunities that await in the dynamic Chinese market.

About German Accelerator 

German Accelerator empowers German start-ups to scale globally. It takes high potential companies on a fast-paced learning journey in some of the world’s leading innovation hubs.

Their programs are highly customized to the participants’ individual needs to help them access international markets and succeed quickly. German Accelerator is run by Start2 Group and proudly financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) – it is their belief that investing in start-ups is directly investing in innovation.

Dezan Shira & Associates’ Presence in Europe 

Amidst Asia’s thriving economic growth and the EU’s active pursuit of trade agreements in key Asian markets, significant investment prospects are emerging for European businesses. Our Munich-based European office, established in 2021, acts as the central hub for European enterprises seeking opportunities across Asia. We work alongside various partners to educate businesses on the economic performance and regulatory environment in developing Asian markets. Connect with our multilingual experts at:

• German Desk: germandesk@dezshira.com
• Italian Desk: italiandesk@dezshira.com
• Spanish Desk: spanishdesk@dezshira.com
• French Desk: frenchdesk@dezshira.com
• UK/Ireland Desk: ireland@dezshira.com

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