Thomas Derksen
Co-Founder of Asiabits. 12+ years in Shanghai. Bridging East and West through on-the-ground insights.
About Thomas
Thomas Derksen has been living and working in Shanghai since 2013. Originally from Germany, he became one of the most recognized Western content creators on Chinese social media, known as "AfuThomas" (阿福Thomas) with a total reach of more than 10 million across all platforms.
In summer 2025, Thomas co-founded Asiabits together with Michael Broza to bridge the gap between East and West through non-biased, on-the-ground insights into Asia's technology, innovation, and business landscape.
Today, Thomas writes the daily Asiabits newsletter (18,000+ subscribers, 48% open rate), co-hosts the weekly Asiabits Podcast, and curates insights covering AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors, and the broader Asian tech ecosystem.
Credentials
- 12+ years living and working in Shanghai, China
- 10M+ combined followers across Chinese social media platforms
- Fluent in German, English, and Mandarin Chinese
- Daily coverage of Asian technology and business since 2025
- Network spanning founders, investors, and executives across Asia
At Asiabits
As Editor-in-Chief, Thomas leads the editorial direction of all Asiabits content. He writes and curates the daily newsletter, conducts podcast interviews with founders building in Asia, and produces in-depth reports on emerging technology sectors.
Contact
For editorial inquiries, podcast guest applications, or press requests: [email protected]