That’s how large the share of tech startups along the Shanghai–Nanjing corridor is that still cannot get a bank loan.
💸 Bootstrapping over bank loans: Startups continue to self-fund because banks demand collateral and stable cash flows that young deep-tech teams simply don’t have yet.
🏦 Innovation belt with a bottleneck: Despite strong early-stage VC in Shanghai and a high density of startups in Suzhou, simple unsecured loans and streamlined subsidy programs are missing, leaving much innovation stuck in pitch decks.
Watch: The Shanghai–Nanjing corridor aims to be China’s deep-tech lab. Without a functioning seed and credit market, however, the most ambitious founders may eventually drift to Hong Kong, Singapore, or the U.S.
The China Survival Guide for Western Businesses
Entity setup, WeChat strategy, hiring your first local team. 12+ years on the ground in Shanghai.
