Only One Silicon Valley

Shenzhen is China’s most innovative city, says HSBC

“…the nine cities in China’s Pearl River Delta (PRD) were “gaining a reputation as China’s creative and game-changing ‘Silicon Delta’ as companies there transition from traditional manufacturing sectors to the new economy, and a new generation of start-ups emerges”.

The least interesting thing about Silicon Valley is its name. Silicon Beach. Silicon Alley. Silicon Delta.

Enough, folks. But I digress.

I’m fascinated by the emerging opportunities in second- and third-tier cities. In the United States, an entire generation of creative professionals — writers, filmmakers, designers, technologists — are being priced out of many top-tier cities. The result is a decentralized creative class that is moving to cities like Detroit, Charlottesville, Louisville, and Provo.

The same seems to be true in China.

Shenzhen is quickly becoming a global hub — perhaps**the global hub — for advanced production. With a population of more than 10 million — *up from 30,000 in 1980! *— it is home to Tencent, Huawei, and more than one million private companies.

According to this report, Foshan, Zhuhai, and Shanxi are also quickly establishing their reputations as innovation hubs.