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This show was originally posted on Forbes China (in Chinese) and I will share it to the English audience here after it is published in Chinese Forbes.Welcome everyone to the Forbes China entrepreneur show – this is our first show and I am so excited to start this journey with all of you listeners here today. We will take entrepreneurs doing business here on the ground in China risking it all to build their businesses. Today for our first episode we have Zach Hoeken – a co-founder of Makerbot 3D printing which is a pioneer in 3D printing in USA. He’s based in Shenzhen, China for many years now and we’re excited to have him on the show talking about his experience starting Makerbot as well as his experiences in business in China so let’s listen in!
Topics Covered in this Episode
- Introduce Zach Hoeken
- How did you get started with Makerbot Industries? In 2008 / 2009
- Heard in generator conference no one in the founding team had hardware experience when you started, can you share with us on that
- Also remember you said you bootstrapped by selling smaller parts to keep going, can you share with listeners
- How did you initially get to China?
- How do you see the hardware market in 10 or 20 years?
- Coolest thing you have seen 3D printed?
- Advice for a fresh entrepreneur coming to China
- Contacting and reaching out to Zach
People / Companies / Resources Mentioned in this Episode
- Makerbot 3D Printers
- Reprap 3D printing
- Generator Conference 1.2
- Shenzhen Maker Faire
- Cashflow and Income streams – critical to early stage company
- Components – Sometimes selling smaller pieces relevant to your business can keep you afloat in cashflow tight periods
- Looking glass product
- Haxlr8r
- Hua Qiang Bei (HQB) – Massive electronics market in Shenzhen, China
- Taobao Chinese online C2C (consumer to consumer) marketplace
- Kickstarter
- Lazer Centering Machine
- Injection Molding Machine
- Self Driving Cars
- Drones
- Robot Arms
- 3D Printed Teeth
- Contacting Zach – Twitter – @hoeken
Episode Length: 25:45
Thanks so much Zach for being on the show. Again, this is a brand new show on Forbes China – I am so excited to have this chance to share the stories of many successful hardworking entrepreneurs risking it all in China to build long lasting successful companies. All feedback and topic and interviewee suggestions please visit mikesblog.com/forbes and fill out the contact information there. Thanks again and have a great day!
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Comments
Are there any significant changes to your assignment since Forbes sold to Asian investors? An article I found on marketwatch.com included this statement from Yam, one of the Asian investors, “Forbes Media’s future plans include additional internet and social media expansion projects”.
yes, seems it has already changed things – people in the department are moving around in the office – but not sure if it is due to this or not.