Finding a new home in Shenzhen: My journey as a maker

I’m Leonardo de Palo, a computer scientist with a Ph.D. and decades of experience in the tech industry.

In 2012, my family and I made the move to Shenzhen when I took a position with a Swiss company exploring business opportunities in the southern Chinese tech hub.

When my contract ended, I decided to stay. I believe Shenzhen is the perfect place for people like me, passionate about technology and invention, to thrive.

The city’s vibrant tech ecosystem offers endless possibilities, especially at Huaqiangbei, the world-famous electronics market. Every day, I would take the Metro to Huaqiangbei to gather components for my projects, and the ease of access to resources allowed me to rapidly prototype and bring my ideas to life.

Shenzhen’s culture of innovation continues to inspire me to explore new frontiers — even after many years in the field.