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<a href="https://beatbot.com/">Beatbot</a>, a Chinese company that develops high-end robotic pool cleaners, has raised around RMB 1 billion (USD 140 million) in a new funding round led by DragonBall Capital, the investment arm of <a href="/company/meituan">Meituan</a>. Existing backers including Hillhouse Capital, Shunwei Capital, Cathay Capital, Source Code Capital, Anker Innovations, Monolith, and Yunmu Capital also increased their stakes. Yunmu Capital remains the company’s long-term financial advisor.
The proceeds will be used for R&amp;D and product iteration, international expansion, recruitment of global talent, and exploration of new applications for its technology.
Founded in July 2022, Beatbot has developed proprietary systems such as high-speed brushless pumps, autonomous underwater vehicle motion control, and sonar- and laser-based SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) navigation. Its pool cleaning robots are designed to combine efficiency, autonomy, and ease of use.
CEO Wang Shengle, who previously worked at a leading Chinese consumer <a href="/industry/robotics">robotics</a> company, brings more than a decade of R&amp;D and product development experience. He helped launch robotic vacuum cleaners and window cleaning robots before founding Beatbot.
The global swimming pool market is projected to grow from USD 8.9 billion in 2025 to USD 11.54 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%, according to <a href="https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-swimmingpool-market">Mordor Intelligence</a>. North America accounts for about one-third of the market due to its large number of residential pools and higher discretionary spending.
Traditional pool maintenance is labor-intensive and costly. Robotic pool cleaners are being adopted at a rate of roughly 25% annually, though innovation has been limited. Beatbot is positioning itself as a premium provider, with an average selling price above USD 2,000.
In 2024, the company introduced the AquaSense and AquaSense Pro, which together generated a nine-figure RMB sum in sales within six months. Beatbot reported an 85% share of China’s online market for robotic pool cleaners priced at USD 1,400 and above during its first year of commercialization.
In January, Beatbot introduced the AquaSense 2 Ultra, which it describes as the world’s first <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a>-powered pool cleaning robot with five-in-one capabilities. The model is equipped with 27 sensors, including an AI-compatible camera, infrared, ultrasound, depth, and temperature detectors. Its self-developed brushless motor and buoyancy control system enable wall climbing, precise waterline scrubbing, surface floating, and autonomous docking, and it is designed to adapt to different pool structures and materials.
<figure id="attachment_157519" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157519" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157519" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra.jpg" alt="Image of the AquaSense 2 Ultra robot, developed by Beatbot for pool cleaning." width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Beatbot-AquaSense-2-Ultra-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157519" class="wp-caption-text">Image of the AquaSense 2 Ultra robot, developed by Beatbot for pool cleaning. Image and header image source: Beatbot.</figcaption></figure>
The robot’s software runs on a quad-core processor with Beatbot’s proprietary visual mapping system. Unlike cleaners that rely on random movement or basic navigation, it employs multi-sensor SLAM to map pools, detect debris, and adjust cleaning paths in real time. AI-driven motion control enables the device to operate closely along walls and corners.
User feedback played a role in the design process. Earlier models were heavy and difficult to retrieve after climbing walls. To address this, Beatbot added buoyancy controls, lighter builds, one-click recall, and surface docking. A companion app lets users track cleaning progress remotely.
“Ultimately, the products we bring to market depend on the depth of our user insights and the limits of our technical capabilities,” CEO Wang told 36Kr. He added that Beatbot aims to focus on unmet user needs rather than incremental upgrades: “Differentiated innovation based on real pain points is the path we’ve chosen.”
Beyond pools, Beatbot is extending its robotics expertise to lawn care. The company has started developing robotic lawn mowers, leveraging its work in mobility, sensing, and AI-driven navigation for outdoor applications.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3477953694079616">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

Beatbot secures funding from Meituan and co to take premium pool cleaning robots global

Deep Tech

China

… src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-720x480.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157515" class="wp-caption-text">Image and header image source: Hanvon Ugee.</figcaption></figure>
Building on its strengths in responsiveness and display technology, XPPen is focusing on integrated, intelligent workflows in its upcoming product line.
In AI, the company is developing a proprietary creative system that interprets user intent in real time, analyzes composition, and generates visual suggestions tailored to individual styles. It is also planning a digital copyright platform to record and encrypt creative processes, safeguarding authorship rights.
Regional preferences shape product design as well. East Asian users tend to favor smaller, more refined devices, while users in Europe and the US prefer larger formats with minimalist aesthetics. XPPen tailors its SKUs accordingly.
On the distribution side, the company has built overseas warehouses and sells online through its website, Amazon, and regional e-commerce platforms, including those in smaller-language markets. Offline, it engages users through anime conventions, training centers, electronics retailers, and branded stores.
<figure id="attachment_157516" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157516" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157516" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-Tablet.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-Tablet.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-Tablet-720x480.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-Tablet-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-Tablet-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/XPPen-Tablet-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157516" class="wp-caption-text">Image source: Hanvon Ugee.</figcaption></figure>
While the user base remains limited in size, it continues to pay for quality. Rather than pursuing mass market success, XPPen focuses on long-term relationships within the creator economy by iterating on professional products, fostering communities, and providing comprehensive support.
As hardware performance converges, differentiation depends on a brand’s ability to deliver reliable, efficient, and engaging creative experiences.
XPPen’s trajectory reflects the strategy of focused hardware companies: sustainable advantages stem not only from technical specifications but also from addressing the evolving needs of specialized users and growing in step with the creator ecosystem.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3450952450004610">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

XPPen’s steady hand: How the Chinese pen display brand became Wacom’s main rival

Consumer Economy

A fierce price war continues to engulf China's automotive sector despite stricter measures aimed at curbing what officials call "disorderly" competition, underlining the challenge of tackling the country's chronic overcapacity.
Passenger car sales rose 16.5% on the year in August to 2.54 million vehicles, up from 14.7% in July, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on September 11. The growth was fueled by government subsidies, the launch of more affordable models, and rising demand abroad.
<a href="/company/byd">BYD</a> remained firmly at the top of the market, but its sales growth showed signs of slowing. Its total sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include pure <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicles</a> as well as plug-in hybrid cars, inched up just 0.1% from a year earlier to 371,501 vehicles.
"We think vehicle volume growth will slow down this year, due to a high 2024 base and a lack of attractive new model launches in a competitive market," research specialist Morningstar said in a recent report.
<a href="/company/geely">Geely</a> ranked second, nearly doubling its NEV sales to 147,347 vehicles and overtaking <a href="/company/tesla">Tesla</a>, whose sales fell 4% to 83,192 vehicles, according to separate data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
Chinese carmakers dominated the NEV market, which accounted for 55.1% of domestic sales, but their long-term survival is far from guaranteed.
<a href="/company/li-auto">Li Auto</a>, which ranked fifth last August, dropped out of the top ten following a lackluster customer response to its new i8 SUV launched in July. The company quickly replaced three variants of the SUV with a single version priced at RMB 339,800 (USD 47,572) just a week after the launch in an effort to soften the blow.
<a href="/company/nio">Nio</a> boosted its sales by more than 50%, helped by strong demand for its new L90 SUV, which came out around the same time as Li Auto's latest model. The L90 retails for as little as RMB 179,800 (USD 25,172) for buyers who opt for an additional monthly battery rental subscription. On September 10, Nio announced plans to raise USD 1 billion through a share sale, partly to fund the expansion of its battery swapping network.
<a href="/company/leapmotor">Leapmotor</a> and <a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng</a> also more than doubled their sales, helped by brisk demand for affordable models. Leapmotor's B01 electric sedan, was also launched in July. Its price starts just RMB 89,800 (USD 12,572), while Xpeng's Mona M03 starts at RMB 119,800 (USD 16,772).
Promotions and price cuts on older models were rampant in August amid sluggish consumer confidence, with 23 models, including 14 pure EVs, seeing reductions, according to the CPCA.
The competitive landscape highlights how little has changed despite government calls in July to rein in excessive competition.
So far, regulators have cracked down on things like exaggerated advertising claims about EV functions, including assisted driving technology and battery range. In a "rectification campaign" announced on September 10, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other government agencies said they will target online attacks against carmakers, including those by rival companies and their executives.
Carmakers have pledged to shorten payment periods for their suppliers, but chronic overcapacity remains a key challenge. China's car factories are estimated to have the capacity to produce nearly twice the 27 million vehicles shipped in 2024, while the industry's utilization rate stands at about 70%, according to government statistics.
"Regulators are discouraging some of the more aggressive discounting, and they're tightening the payment rules," said Bill Russo, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility. "But with so much capacity chasing demand that while growing is finite in size … tactical price cuts are still inevitable."
Russo noted that sluggish domestic demand has failed to meet earlier rosy expectations, even as the industry rapidly shifts from gasoline-powered cars to EVs, leading to "overinstalled [capacity] for vehicles that are no longer in demand."
That overhang means exports will continue to be a priority for Chinese automakers. A record 116 companies from China flocked to the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, Germany, more than the combined number of exhibitors from South Korea, Italy, and the US.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/china-auto-price-war-rages-on-despite-regulatory-crackdown">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

China's automotive price war rages on despite regulatory crackdown

Xpeng Motors

Geely

East Asia

Transportation

Electric Vehicles

Mobility

<a href="https://www.mova.sg/">Mova</a> has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in an angel funding round to expand its R&amp;D capacity, strengthen its innovation pipeline, and accelerate the development of its upstream and downstream ecosystem. The financing will also support the company’s broader industrial strategy. Investors in this round were not disclosed.
Founded in January, Mova develops, manufactures, and sells power tools. It operates R&amp;D centers and offices in Suzhou, Dongguan, and Nanjing. The core team is made up of graduates from leading Chinese and international engineering universities such as Harbin Institute of Technology, Jilin University, Tongji University, and Southeast University. Many members previously worked at established power tool companies, contributing expertise in technology development, commercialization, and industry applications.
Power tools have gone through more than a century of evolution, from electrification to cordless adoption and lithium-ion integration. Recent improvements in battery density and cost have accelerated the transition to cordless devices. Compact design and ease of use are now major selling points, driving steady growth in the market.
According to <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/power-tools-market-size/global">Grand View Research</a>, the global power tools market was valued at USD 32.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 54.4 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.4% between 2025–2030.
The market is divided into two main categories. Consumer power tools, led by brands like Ryobi, Black+Decker, and Bosch, are used for household repairs and small renovation projects. New entrants such as Hoto and Fantikk have already surpassed USD 100 million in annual sales. Professional and industrial users, including those in construction, energy, railways, mining, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing, form the other segment.
The professional tools market is currently dominated by Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch, Hilti, and Makita. While these companies maintain strong positions, their pace of innovation has slowed. Some challenges remain unresolved, such as performance issues in low-temperature outdoor environments where batteries in high-torque impact wrenches often underperform, reducing torque and endurance.
Mova plans to build a full range of tools across both professional and consumer segments. On the professional side, it is focusing on standardized tools designed for cross-scenario applications, emphasizing high performance and intelligent features. Its entry point is fastening tools, with plans to expand into additional categories.
“Our professional users are highly confident in their skills and often dislike oversimplified ‘foolproof’ designs,” a Mova executive told 36Kr. “When we talk about intelligence, it’s not about reducing the skill threshold. It’s about using smart algorithms to improve tool efficiency and silently empower skilled workers. The professionals remain in control.”
Mova’s ecosystem draws on upstream expertise in motor engineering, electromagnetic simulation, and design to develop high power-density motors in-house. Combined with proprietary control algorithms, these enable tools to adapt to varied scenarios while improving safety and usability.
On the consumer side, the company is targeting the growing DIY trend among younger buyers. Its approach emphasizes industrial design and CMF (color, materials, and finish), borrowing from consumer electronics aesthetics to produce visually distinctive tools. Smart algorithms are integrated to ease use for hobbyists, while compact storage features are tailored to apartment living.
“From the first day of electrification, the core purpose of power tools has been to extend human capabilities and liberate productivity,” the Mova executive said. “Beyond our standard product roadmaps, we are channeling resources into three frontier applications: tools for humanoid robots, power tools evolving into intelligent robotic systems tailored to industry scenarios, and human-machine symbiotic tools.”
Within six months, Mova has commercialized its consumer line in several European markets. Shipments began in September, with plans to expand through retail stores, Amazon, and independent <a href="/industry/e-commerce">e-commerce</a> platforms. By the fourth quarter of 2025, the company expects its gross merchandise value to exceed RMB 100 million (USD 14 million).
Its professional product line is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026. With continued investment in deep tech R&amp;D, Mova aims to penetrate the high-end market and strengthen its global positioning.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3470694113777029">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

Mova raises funding to build power tools for professionals and hobbyists

Hardware

… guided Q3 deliveries at 87,000–91,000 units and revenue at RMB 21.8–22.9 billion (USD 3.1–3.2 billion), or about RMB 251,000 (USD 35,140) per car. For Q4, it projects deliveries of over 150,000 units with a gross margin of 16–17%. Assuming similar per-unit revenue, that implies quarterly revenue of about RMB 37.7 billion (USD 5.3 billion).
Nio also aims to cap Q4 non-GAAP R&amp;D spending at RMB 2 billion (USD 280 million) and keep SG&amp;A below 10% of revenue, or about RMB 3.8 billion (USD 532 million). On paper, that points to a net profit margin of around 0.7%, suggesting breakeven is within reach—but only if it sustains deliveries above 50,000 units per month, maintains gross margins of at least 16%, and keeps costs tightly controlled.
<h3>Following in Xpeng’s footsteps?</h3>
Even if Nio turns a profit, investors may focus more on whether it can sustain margins over time. <a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng’s</a> rebound offers a comparison.
Xpeng’s recovery combined efficiency gains with strong product launches and aggressive pricing. In 2024, the <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xpeng-ramps-up-production-as-mona-m03-orders-surpass-expectations">Mona M03</a> and <a href="https://kr-asia.com/after-mona-m03s-breakout-xpeng-eyes-another-ev-win-with-the-p7">P7+</a> became breakout hits, and discounts spurred sales, boosting economies of scale and gross margins. Though still unprofitable, its long-term outlook improved, lifting its stock.
For Nio, scale is even more critical. Heavy R&amp;D, marketing costs, and investments in battery swapping and Nio Houses make higher volumes essential. Larger fleets also improve utilization of its swapping network.
Meanwhile, its multi-brand strategy is starting to deliver. The Onvo L90 exceeded 10,000 deliveries in its first full month, helping the group surpass 30,000 in August. The ES8, supported by BaaS-based pricing, also shows potential as a high-volume model.
This suggests Nio may be entering a stronger product cycle, combining lower entry prices through BaaS with new launches. The challenge is sustaining that momentum. The company plans to release the Onvo L80, Nio ES9, and Nio ES7 in 2026, but its rollout pace lags rivals, a cautious approach that could hinder growth in a crowded EV market.
For investors, the question is not just whether Nio can post a profit this quarter, but whether it can chart a sustainable path forward. Scale, margins, and consistent product cycles will matter more than a single profitable quarter.
To secure a lasting position, Nio must grow volumes, lift margins, and sustain momentum. In the end, proving it can build a durable business will count more than short-term profitability.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3473484456352137">article</a> was written by Ding Mao for 36Kr.

Why investors keep backing Nio despite RMB 100 billion in losses

Former <a href="/company/honor">Honor</a> vice chairman Wan Biao has joined Envision AESC as global CEO. He will also serve as executive director and CTO of parent company Envision Group, according to an internal letter circulated on September 22 and reported by 36Kr.
“It is a great honor to join Envision AESC as CEO,” Wan said in the letter. “I look forward to working with the global team to seize the new wave of growth in the renewable energy industry, continue to deliver safe, high-performance solutions to customers, further strengthen Envision AESC’s position in clean energy technology, and contribute to the world’s transition to net zero.”
Wan spent more than two decades at <a href="/company/huawei">Huawei</a>, where he helped shape two of its core businesses: wireless and consumer devices. Since joining in 1996, he held senior roles including president of the wireless product line, president of the consumer business group, head of the Russia region, president of the consumer mobile broadband and home device line, and COO of the consumer business.
After Huawei spun off Honor in 2020, Wan became its first chairman. He was credited with stabilizing supply chains, rebuilding sales channels, and reestablishing international partnerships, helping the brand regain momentum. He later moved into the vice chairman role when Wu Hui, former chairman of Shenzhen Water Group, took over as chairman in November 2023. Honor confirmed in September 2024 that Wan had stepped down for personal reasons.
Wan’s international track record aligns closely with Envision AESC’s current expansion. Founded in 2007, the company was one of the first to mass produce lithium-ion batteries for <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicles</a>. Its customers include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, and Fluence, as well as major energy storage providers. It operates or is building large-scale plants in China, Japan, the US, the UK, France, and Spain.
Zhang Lei, chairman of Envision Group, described Wan’s arrival as a pivotal step. “Wan’s vision, ability to design and execute products, and extensive international management experience will strengthen Envision AESC’s competitiveness and drive sustainable growth in core global markets,” Zhang said.
Beyond AESC, Wan will oversee broader responsibilities across Envision Group, which has businesses in wind power, energy storage, hydrogen, the internet of things, and zero-carbon industrial parks. The dual role positions him to coordinate resources across divisions and deepen synergies.
Over the past year, Envision AESC has expanded production capacity. New plants in Cangzhou, China; Ibaraki, Japan; and Douai, France have come online. In early 2024, the Douai site began producing ten gigawatt-hours of batteries annually for Renault’s R5, which later became the bestselling B-segment EV in Europe. In China, the Jiangyin facility started shipping 46-series large cylindrical batteries to BMW’s global EV platform.
In the US, the Tennessee plant launched North America’s first lithium iron phosphate storage battery cell line in April. By August, it had secured more than 40 GWh in orders from over ten Chinese energy storage integrators. Data from Shanghai Metals Market shows Envision AESC ranked among the world’s top three suppliers of energy storage batteries by overseas shipments in 2024.
Further expansion is planned. Plants in Sunderland, UK, and Extremadura, Spain are expected to go online in the next few years, with a new storage battery facility slated for China in 2025.
According to 36Kr, the scale of these projects demands stronger supply chain coordination, cross-regional management, and market development. Wan’s appointment signals Envision’s push to reinforce execution as it enters its next phase of growth.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3478177363876485">article</a> was written by Su Jianxun for 36Kr.

Huawei and Honor veteran Wan Biao takes charge at Envision AESC

Batteries

Energy

Arc'teryx, the Canada-founded outdoor label, has come under fire in China after setting off fireworks in Tibet’s Himalayas as part of a marketing campaign.
Critics said the display risked harming the fragile plateau ecosystem and violated the “leave no trace” principle that outdoor brands are expected to uphold.
On September 21, the Shigatse municipality in Tibet said it had dispatched an investigation team to the site. Hours later, Arc'teryx issued an apology, admitting its artistic judgment should have been more professional and pledging to show greater humility toward nature. The company said it would review the ecological impact of the stunt under government oversight, hire a third-party evaluator, and take corrective actions if needed.
Despite the mea culpa, consumer anger spilled into markets. Shares of <a href="/company/anta">Anta Sports</a>, which owns Arc'teryx’s parent Amer Sports, opened sharply lower on September 22, dropping more than 5% before closing at HKD 95.55 (USD 12.3), down 1.29% for the day.
Anta led a consortium that acquired Amer in February 2019, making Arc'teryx a flagship brand in its portfolio. Amer relisted on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2024, and Anta’s stake has since diluted to 39.49% following secondary offerings.
Although Amer’s earnings have begun contributing to Anta’s bottom line, the impact is still limited. At its 2024 earnings call, Anta reported RMB 200 million (USD 28 million) in profit distribution from Amer, less than 2% of its RMB 11.9 billion (USD 1.7 billion) net profit.
The fallout from the fireworks incident is therefore less about direct financial loss and more about Anta’s reputation for brand management. Observers noted the contrast with Anta’s Fila unit, which in August partnered with Tmall on a campaign that explicitly followed a “leave no trace” ethos. Arc'teryx’s apology appeared to place responsibility on its China operations, describing the display as “in direct opposition” to the company’s environmental values.
The controversy coincides with a management reshuffle at Amer. In June, the company appointed Jeffery Ma, a veteran of Qiaodan, Topsports, and Adidas, as president for Greater China. The transition comes as Arc'teryx faces slowing growth.
In the first half of 2025, Amer reported revenue of USD 2.709 billion, up 23.5% year-on-year, with Greater China contributing USD 856 million. Yet Arc'teryx’s technical apparel division posted USD 509 million in revenue, up 23% but a sharp deceleration from the prior year. Same-store sales growth also slowed, rising 15% in the second quarter compared to 26% a year earlier.
To offset the slowdown, Arc'teryx has leaned on footwear. CEO Stuart Haselden said shoes are now about 10% of revenue after growing more than 60% in 2024, and a new line is set to launch later this year. Industry peers often view footwear as a benchmark of credibility, and for Arc'teryx—positioned increasingly as a premium brand—the category may help restore its technical edge.
whereRelatedArticle
Amer CEO Zheng Jie said the company will focus on optimizing Arc'teryx’s retail network in China, with plans to close legacy partner stores while opening larger, self-operated outlets. Meanwhile, Amer has been investing heavily in Salomon, its other outdoor brand, which expanded to 256 stores by June, up 58% year-on-year.
Even as Amer raised its third-quarter guidance, projecting revenue growth above 20% and an adjusted operating margin at the top of its target range, Anta may face lingering reputational risks from Arc'teryx’s misstep in Tibet.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3477786273274497">article</a> was written by Xie Yunzi for 36Kr.

Arc'teryx faces backlash in China after fireworks stunt in Tibet

Anta

… SenseTime’s computing capacity for scaling.
China’s GPU startup wave began in 2020, driven by urgency around tech self-sufficiency and returning talent from Nvidia and AMD. Nearly 20 GPU startups emerged within a short time. But Wang argues that 2020 was not the real starting point. The industry’s real window, he said, is opening now.
In earlier years, local players could only capture small fragments of Nvidia’s market, with shares below 10%. Today, surging inference demand and Nvidia’s constraints have created a genuine opportunity.
Financial results reflect the shift. Cambricon’s first-half revenue grew 4,347% year-on-year, turning profitable for the first time. Kunlunxin won a major China Mobile order. Alibaba’s AI chip strategy announcement added RMB 260 billion (USD 36.4 billion) to its market cap overnight. Moore Threads’ first-half 2025 revenue exceeded its past three years combined. MetaX shipped more than 25,000 chips, while Hygon crossed 100,000 units for the first time.
So is Sunrise too late to the party?
Wang doesn’t think so. He argues that chip startups benefit from a latecomer’s advantage: entering too late risks missing the window, but entering too early means wasting resources on wrong bets.
Over the past five years, Chinese AI chipmakers have wrestled with two questions: whether to build CUDA-compatible ecosystems or their own, and whether to focus on general-purpose GPUs or specialized scenarios. The market has shown that CUDA compatibility drives adoption, and specialization is more pragmatic. Those lessons form the basis of Sunrise’s strategy today.
Looking forward, Wang sees three decisive factors for AI chipmakers:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Software-hardware integration: GPUs require strong capabilities across the stack.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Market foresight: Companies must anticipate trends and position early.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Timing: With Chinese AI chips on the verge of commercialization, the current vacuum is a one-shot chance to capture share.</li>
</ol>
Wang believes China’s GPU market could support three to five leading players. But 2025 will be decisive:
<blockquote>“Any company that hasn’t passed tapeout and shipped a working product may never get another chance.”</blockquote>
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3472995991181952">article</a> was written by Qiu Xiaofen for 36Kr.

Baidu veteran joins SenseTime spinoff Sunrise to compete in AI chip race

Baidu

SenseTime

Artificial Intelligence

Semiconductors

AI Infrastructure

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