Walking through the Huaqiangbei electronics market is a sensory overload. Thousands of little stands and shops make this Chinese megamall a carnival of flashing lights and overlapping noises. However, toys are not the only thing you will find there: the markets sell anything with a microchip inside. That is what draws Lucas Roitman, an enthusiastic inventor, to spend his Thursday mornings scouring for parts for his drone startup. He buys components for his prototypes and he talks to the vendors, which he views as an opportunity to practice his Mandarin.
The story of his drone project began a few years back when he was a student at Stanford. Lucas saw a vision for the future where drones would be used for delivery and personal assistance. The idea soon caught the interest of HAX, an incubator based in Silicon Valley and China, who provided financing but also offered Lucas assistance and a collaborative workshop where he could work with other creators. Lucas packed his bags and moved to Shenzhen, the technological capital of the East.
“Shenzhen is amazing! I was blown away by the energy, passion, and sheer creativity of the people there. It feels like an adventure, I learn something new every day I’m here,” says Lucas.
The HAX offices were a sight to behold. They looked like a colorful playground for brilliant adults who had a knack for creating. The workshop-like setup meant there were 3d printers, laser cutting machines and red-eyed inventors scattered around the building. Drones flew by you, luggage followed you and bug farm prototypes were not an uncommon sight. Lucas was ecstatic. He was surrounded by like-minded people who shared his vision. Even though Shenzhen was a world apart from Silicon Valley, Lucas felt at home. He says,
“China’s tech ecosystem is incredibly dynamic and fast-paced. The opportunities for innovation and growth here are unparalleled.”
The stakes were high: less than 0.1% of applicants were accepted into the program. Lucas had to face the challenge of keeping up with the crème de la crème of the tech scene. Lucas is no stranger to these kinds of elite environments, though. He later also participated in Entrepeneur First (EF), a highly selective program — less than 0.03 % are selected — that brings founders together in the same workspace and incentivizes collaboration, and Venture Studio, an incubator at Stanford University. Before all of this, he had made and sold an augmented reality product to an international media company, turning Lucas into one of the youngest self-made millionaires. But HAX accelerator was the one that gave him the skills to become a well-rounded founder. He attended regular meetings with investors and honed his skills in presenting and showcasing his technology. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that taught him about networking and negotiation.
He worked day and night to perfect his drone technology, developing and testing his prototypes until he was satisfied with the results. The results were astonishing. The drone could move quickly and effortlessly, navigate through tight spaces, and recognize and follow objects with remarkable precision. It used AI to map the environment and could recognize faces and objects, follow people and vehicles, and maintain enhanced precision and balance. It was a giant leap into the future, the kind Lucas would only dream about from his dorm room years earlier.
As Lucas explains, “I found a strong culture of experimentation, constant iteration and a willingness to fail fast and learn from mistakes. These are values that are critical to success in the tech entrepreneurship world.”
Despite his hectic schedule, Lucas made sure to explore the city and immerse himself in the culture of China. Shenzhen was awe-inspiring, brimming with energy, creativity, and innovation. The air was charged with an infectious energy that seemed to permeate every street corner, market stall, and towering skyscraper.
“Working on my drone technology in Shenzhen was a spiritual experience for me. It was like being in the center of the universe, surrounded by a vibrant, pulsating energy that was both inspiring and humbling,” Lucas tells us.
Lucas felt so inspired by Chinese culture that he decided to spend a semester at Beijing University, ranked as the #1 university in China, where he learned about international relations, urbanization, and economic development in that country. The experience gave him a broader perspective on the country and helped him better understand the people and culture he had grown to love.
Through hard work and perseverance, Lucas’s drone startup began to gain momentum. He received positive feedback from early adopters and investors, and he felt confident that his technology had the potential to revolutionize the industry. Lucas had never imagined though, that his company would later be acquired by Apple, for an estimated 55 million dollars.
It’s midnight. Lucas just left Hax. His back hurts. But, as he looks out over the skyline of Shenzhen, he knows that he has found his calling, and he is ready to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
