Asia’s technology landscape is now a force reshaping global innovation. Few figures have been more instrumental in elevating that story than Dr. Gang Lu, co‑founder of the BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo. His journey from academic researcher to media entrepreneur to ecosystem builder mirrors the region’s own transformation: fast, ambitious, and increasingly global in its outlook.
The 2026 edition of BEYOND Expo, held May 27–30 at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, made that shift undeniable. With nearly 800 exhibitors, 400 speakers, more than 400 media outlets, and 30,000 visitors from over 120 countries, the event was a live demonstration of how AI is moving from the digital realm into the physical world. Robotics, embodied intelligence, spatial computing, AI agents, and next‑generation hardware dominated the floor, signaling an emphatic shift of where Asia intends to lead next.
Rooted in Asia’s Rising Tech Power
BEYOND’s mission of “Empowering Asia, Bridging the World” was on full display from the Opening Ceremony, which drew more than 1,000 guests from Greater China, the EU, Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America, the UK, and the U.S.
“We don’t just have brilliant software companies building AI models,” said co-founder, Jason Ho. “We have the powerhouse factories, advanced hardware innovators, and the infrastructure that gives AI its physical body.”
Dr. Gang Lu emphasized a deliberate shift in this year’s programming: a spotlight on OPCs (one‑person companies) and independent creators. For the first time, solo innovators exhibited alongside major brands, reflecting BEYOND’s belief that the next unicorn may emerge from a single developer’s workstation. The youngest participant in the AI Hack Day was just nine years old, a symbolic nod to the region’s rising generation of builders.
From Academia to Cross‑Border Storytelling
Before BEYOND Expo existed, Dr. Lu was already working to bridge Asia’s innovation to the world. Trained in computer science, he pivoted into journalism after recognizing a glaring gap: Asian startups were building remarkable technologies, but few were being recognized beyond their borders.
“My vision from the very beginning was to write about Chinese and Asian startups in English, helping them receive recognition from the international media,” said Dr. Lu.
That mission led him to build a bilingual platform that eventually partnered with TechCrunch, giving Asian founders a seat at the global table. It also laid the foundation for BEYOND Expo, which became a physical manifestation of the same goal: connect Asia’s innovation engine with the world.
Why Macao Became Asia’s New Tech Stage
Launching BEYOND in Macao was a strategic move. Rather than competing with entrenched tech hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Singapore, Dr. Lu saw opportunity in neutrality.
“Macau is the Asian version of Las Vegas: perfect infrastructure, hospitality, and neutrality for international tech events,” Dr. Lu mentioned.
Jason Ho, Co‑Founder of BEYOND Expo, brings deep cross‑regional experience connecting Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China’s innovation ecosystems. As president of the Macau Technology General Association and a council member of the Macao SAR Economic Development Council, he has been central to shaping the city’s tech and economic strategy.
The city’s integrated MICE ecosystem spans The Venetian, The Parisian, and The Londoner, and has become a magnet for major tech gatherings. Seven Forbes five‑star hotels, world‑class entertainment, and seamless logistics created an environment where business, networking, and product launches could unfold without friction.
Also Read: HKTDC Spring Fairs 2026 Drive Global AI and Innovation Collaboration
From Copycat Era to Global Leadership
The rise of BEYOND Expo parallels a broader shift in Asia’s tech identity. Two decades ago, many Chinese startups were dismissed as imitators. Chinese tech companies often built localized versions of Western platforms, replicating models like search engines, social media, and streaming services.
That phase served as an incubation period, allowing companies to scale rapidly in a massive domestic market while refining operational capabilities. Today, that foundation has evolved into a globally competitive ecosystem where original innovation, particularly in physical products and vertically integrated systems, is the norm rather than the exception.
“Twenty years ago, Chinese tech companies were copycats, but now, in consumer tech, it’s increasingly copy from China,” Dr. Lu said.
Companies such as DJI, Huawei, and BYD illustrate this shift most clearly. Their dominance stems not only from technological advancement but from their ability to operate within a tightly integrated ecosystem combining manufacturing, supply chain control, rapid prototyping, and large-scale distribution. This system enables an unprecedented speed from concept to market, allowing firms to iterate quickly and establish leadership in categories like drones, telecommunications infrastructure, and electric vehicles
A Mobile‑First Ecosystem Built for Scale
China’s rise has been powered by a digital ecosystem that bypassed legacy infrastructure, moving directly from cash to mobile payments. This leap created a seamless environment for e‑commerce, where payments, communication, and services are fully integrated.
“In China, we don’t care about websites anymore; everything is a mini program built on WeChat or Alipay,” Dr. Lu explained.
These mini programs allow companies to launch and scale quickly within existing platforms, eliminating friction in user adoption. Combined with advanced logistics networks and a highly connected, mobile-first population, this system enables rapid iteration and near-instant scalability.
In this context, China’s mobile-first architecture enables a level of coordination between digital services, physical infrastructure, and consumer behavior that is difficult to replicate elsewhere, helping explain why so many companies emerging from this environment are able to scale rapidly and compete on a global stage.
The result is an ecosystem where speed, integration, and constant optimization give startups a significant advantage by compressing the path from concept to global competitiveness.
A Global Stage for Ideas, Investment, and Real‑World Deployment
BEYOND’s programming blended sector‑specific innovation with cross‑regional collaboration. Summits and forums spanned embodied AI, digital AI, investment, Web2+3, women in tech, and Asia‑Europe and Asia‑Latin America cooperation. The result was a panoramic view of how AI is transitioning from cloud‑based models to robots, wearables, spatial computing systems, industrial automation, and real‑world execution. Speakers included Deepu Talla, VP of Robotics & Edge AI at NVIDIA.
From more than 300 startup applicants, six finalists advanced to the Fund at First Pitch finals. Judges included Crunchyroll founder Kun Gao, who delivered one of the expo’s most pragmatic insights: startups must learn to tell their story as effectively as they build their technology. Finalists’ innovations ranged from smart jewelry and wearables to a sensor‑enhanced canoe paddle and an emotion‑responsive hugging bear, underscoring the breadth of AI’s physical‑world applications.
The BGlobal New Product Launch ushered in Asia’s next wave of products as it unveiled more than 1,000 high‑tech products, spanning lifestyle tech, medical devices, robotics, mobility, and industrial AI. Highlights included Aerofugia’s production aircraft and eVTOL battery and Zdeer’s bone‑conduction hearing aid.
The showcase reinforced BEYOND’s role as a launchpad for Asia’s next generation of hardware‑driven innovation. The honorees in the Best of Innovation Awards included AEROFUGIA, AI² Robotics, Even Realities, and Timekettle. Together, they reflect Asia’s accelerating leadership in robotics, spatial computing, embodied AI, and next‑gen consumer tech.
Globalization and the Rise of Founder Storytelling
For all the momentum behind Asia’s tech rise, Dr. Gang Lu makes clear that global expansion remains the hardest, most critical step. The same ecosystem that enables rapid domestic scale does not automatically translate across borders. Language barriers, cultural fragmentation, and deeply different regional behaviors continue to create friction for companies trying to break into international markets.
“Building an Asian CES is much harder than people think,” noted Dr. Lu. “Language barriers, cultural differences, and regional behaviors demand ongoing adaptation.”
This is where the challenge becomes existential: localization is fundamental, but difficult. It demands adapting messaging, teams, and even business models to fit local cultures and expectations. Asia is not a unified market, and the diversity that fuels its innovation also complicates its ability to scale globally.
At the same time, a parallel shift is reshaping how companies attempt to overcome these barriers—the rise of founder storytelling. Companies are realizing that technical excellence alone is not enough. “It’s not just about selling; more Asian companies now value branding and storytelling when entering global markets,” observed Dr. Lu.
This marks a fundamental evolution. Where earlier generations focused on product and speed, today’s founders are stepping forward as the face of their companies, building narratives that can resonate beyond their home markets. The emphasis on storytelling reflects a broader understanding captured in the interview: global recognition is driven as much by perception and identity as it is by performance.
Together, these dynamics converge on a single point: going global is often a translation challenge. The companies that succeed will be those that can bridge both gaps simultaneously by adapting to local markets while crafting a universal story that makes their innovation visible and meaningful on the world stage.
A Record‑Setting Year with Clear Signals for 2027
BEYOND Expo 2026 closed with record participation and a clear message that Asia is shaping the global tech landscape. From embodied AI to spatial computing, from OPCs to multinational giants, the expo showcased a region building the physical future of artificial intelligence at scale with the help of the Greater Bay Area.
Looking ahead, Dr. Gang Lu envisions BEYOND expanding across Asia and potentially into the United States, strengthening ties between regional ecosystems and global markets. Now, the opportunity to go global is very real.
“We see a huge potential for BEYOND, but creating a unified Asian tech platform requires much more than simply holding events,” warned Dr. Lu.
The mission is clear. Still, it remains quite complex: build a platform that connects Asian innovation to the world, and makes sure those stories are seen, understood, and impossible to ignore
