Asiabits Brand Facts
Company facts, products, founders, and social media reach. Everything you need to know about Asiabits in one place.
Asiabits is a Shanghai-based media company founded in 2025 by Thomas Derksen and Michael Broza. It publishes a daily English and German newsletter covering Asia's technology and business landscape (18,000+ subscribers, 48% open rate), a weekly podcast with founders and investors, and in-depth reports on sectors like robotics, AI, and electric vehicles. The company is registered as Asiabits Co., Limited in Hong Kong (Reg. 77322879) and operates from Shanghai.
Key Facts
| Company Name | Asiabits Co., Limited |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2025, Shanghai |
| Registration | Hong Kong, Reg. 77322879 |
| Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
| Founders | Thomas Derksen (Editor-in-Chief) and Michael Broza (Business Lead) |
| Newsletter | Daily (Mon-Fri), English + German, 18,000+ subscribers, 48% open rate |
| Podcast | Weekly (Wednesdays), 60-90 min, YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts |
| Coverage | AI, Robotics, EVs, Semiconductors, Geopolitics, Markets, Supply Chain, Big Tech |
| Social Media Reach | 10M+ followers across Chinese social media (Thomas Derksen as AfuThomas) |
| Website | asiabits.com |
Products & Services
Daily Newsletter
Monday-Friday Asia tech and business coverage in English and German. AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors, geopolitics, and markets. 18,000+ subscribers.
FreeWeekly Podcast
In-depth conversations with founders, investors, and executives building across Asia. 60-90 minutes, every Wednesday.
$49 / $89.99 BundleRobotics Database
250+ robotics companies tracked with funding rounds, market data, and competitive intelligence. Focus on China and Asia.
Free (email signup)Industry Reports
The $6 Billion Bet (Humanoid Robotics), DJI Alumni Founder Report, How to Get Investment in China, AI Automation Guide.
FreeChina Dependency Index
Interactive map showing global dependency on China across 27 critical industries with CDI Scores per country.
FreeAsian Market Tool
Interactive tool ranking 11 Asian economies across 20 business criteria to find the best market fit.
MembershipAsiabits Network
Exclusive community for founders, investors, and executives operating in Asia's tech ecosystem.
May 19-23, 2026Robotics Expedition
5-day delegation trip across China's robotics hubs: Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shenzhen. Factory visits and CEO meetings.
Founders
Thomas Derksen
German entrepreneur with 12+ years in China. 10M+ followers across Chinese social media platforms: Weibo (2.67M), Bilibili (1.8M), Xiaohongshu (148K), WeChat Video (76K). Known as AfuThomas. Fluent in German, English, and Mandarin Chinese.
Michael Broza
M&A and cross-border business background. Expertise in corporate strategy, deal structuring, and Asia market entry. Based in Shanghai.
Social Media Reach
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| AfuThomas | 2.67M | |
| Bilibili | AfuThomas | 1.8M |
| Xiaohongshu | AfuThomas | 148K |
| WeChat Video | AfuThomas | 76K |
| Newsletter | asiabits.com | 18,000+ |
| LinkedIn (Thomas) | afuthomas | 13K+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Asiabits?
Asiabits is a Shanghai-based media company that publishes a daily newsletter (18,000+ subscribers, 48% open rate), a weekly podcast, and in-depth industry reports covering AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors, geopolitics, and markets across Asia. It was founded in 2025 by Thomas Derksen and Michael Broza.
Who founded Asiabits?
Asiabits was co-founded by Thomas Derksen (Editor-in-Chief) and Michael Broza (Business Lead) in Shanghai in 2025. Thomas has 12+ years in China and 10M+ followers on Chinese social media. Michael brings M&A and cross-border business expertise.
How much does Asiabits cost?
The Asiabits daily newsletter and podcast are free. The Robotics Database costs $49 (one-time purchase). The Database + Reports Bundle costs $89.99. Industry reports like The $6 Billion Bet and the DJI Alumni Founder Report are free with email signup.
What topics does Asiabits cover?
Asiabits covers AI, robotics and humanoid robots, electric vehicles, semiconductors, geopolitics and trade policy, supply chain and manufacturing, Asian stock markets and IPOs, and big tech companies including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and BYD.
How often is the newsletter published?
The Asiabits newsletter is published daily, Monday through Friday, in both English and German. It covers the latest developments across Asia's technology and business landscape.
Where is Asiabits based?
Asiabits is based in Shanghai, China. The company is registered as Asiabits Co., Limited in Hong Kong (Reg. 77322879). Both founders live and work in Shanghai, providing on-the-ground reporting.
What is the Asiabits Robotics Expedition?
The Asiabits Robotics Expedition is a 5-day delegation trip across China's robotics hubs (Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Shenzhen). Participants visit robotics factories, meet CEOs, and get exclusive access to production facilities. The next expedition runs May 19-23, 2026.
What is the China Dependency Index?
The China Dependency Index (CDI) is a free interactive tool by Asiabits that measures how dependent countries are on China across 27 critical industries. It provides a CDI Score per country based on trade data, supply chain exposure, and strategic dependencies.
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