China is rapidly securing a leading position in key tech sectors, from batteries and advanced manufacturing to robotics, MedTech and novel foods. Aggressive state support combined with intense domestic competition enables Chinese firms to scale, iterate, and commercialise faster than many Western counterparts. In several of these sectors, Chinese competitors are already shaping global cost structures, standards, and innovation cycles. Without decisive action, European startups and scaleups risk falling behind.
For many tech founders, China remains a blind spot in their strategic roadmap. Critical dependencies — in materials, components, manufacturing capacity, or emerging technologies — are often underestimated or treated as peripheral risks. Meanwhile, Chinese competitors may already be shaping global standards, cost curves, or innovation cycles in your sector.
Not acting upon China means putting your future competitiveness at stake on the global stage. Ensuring your product maintains its innovative edge requires a structured approach to understanding where you are exposed, where you are vulnerable, and where strategic engagement could create advantage.
But how to realise smart engagement with China—without sacrificing your core IP and long-term value proposition?
Our China Strategy Workshop
The China Strategy Workshop is a closed, small-group strategic session for selected tech founders and scaleups with direct or indirect exposure to China.
With the guidance of experts Valérie Hoeks and Choy Yiu Chan, participants work through a structured diagnostic based on the China Strategy Framework. The session is designed to move beyond general risk awareness and toward company-specific prioritisation and action.
During the workshop, we:
- Map your company’s direct and indirect China dependencies (supply chain, technology, capital, market exposure)
- Identify competitive pressure from Chinese firms in your specific sector
- Prioritise strategic risks using a structured assessment model
- Explore concrete engagement models (from sourcing and partnerships to market entry scenarios)
- Define critical red flags and monitoring triggers for the next 12–24 months
Through disruptive, scenario-based questions, the Framework challenges assumptions and surfaces blind spots that are often overlooked in early-stage strategy discussions. Participants leave with a prioritised overview of their China exposure and a defined set of concrete next strategic steps tailored to their company roadmap
The workshop is limited to a maximum of five companies to ensure confidentiality, depth of discussion, and practical relevance.
For whom?
Startup and scaleup founders in sectors such as renewables, advanced manufacturing, MedTech, robotics, agrifood, and novel foods — particularly those with:
- Supply chain exposure to China
- Technology dependencies or component reliance
- Competitive overlap with Chinese firms
- Ambitions for international scaling
Investors and ecosystem leaders may join selectively where relevant.
Practical details
You can find below all practical details about attending a China Strategy Workshop, hosted by EQ+ Strategy Partners.
- Will take place on June 4th 2026 in Utrecht
- Half-day workshop, 13:00-16:30 at a private location
- Chatham House rules apply; all participants sign an NDA
- Per person: €375,- ex VAT, additional colleague: €75,- ex VAT
- Includes a pre-workshop intake to tailor the session to participating companies
- Maximum of 5 companies
Signing up
To sign up for our China Strategy Workshop, please send an email to info@chinainroads.com with the following information:
- Full name
- Company name
- Number of attendees
- Dietary restrictions and/or other remarks
We will return to you shortly with further (payment) details.