For principals
Founders, investors and leaders with a specific China question.
Best starting point · The Access DayExplore Access Day
Tech is the entry point. Shenzhen is the story.
China throughthe right doors.
Private China programmes for people with a serious question. Company perspectives. Cultural context. An operator’s view.
Culture × technology · personally hostedExplore the programmes
01 — The premiseTech is the entry point · Shenzhen is the story
One China question. A clearer decision.
Futurebound builds private Shenzhen programmes around business, investment and creative questions. An individually approved company conversation anchors the premium programme. Products, design, food and culture supply context. Eric X.D. Tan brings 20+ years across Asian and Western media and technology to the brief, the day and the private debrief.
02 — For whomDirect guest · Trusted adviser · Leadership team
Choose your path.
One city. Different briefs for principals, advisers and teams.
For advisers
A specialist Shenzhen programme for private clients and executive teams.
Clear qualification · Discreet handoffAdviser pathwayFor delegations
Focused programmes for chambers, trade missions and leadership teams.
Member programme · Custom scopeDelegation programmesThe fit
Built for a defined question and sufficient lead time. No sightseeing checklist, guaranteed access or routine sourcing.
Investor agendasHong Kong × Shenzhen
Make the extra day count.
Private Shenzhen programmes for VC and PE teams. One defined question, relevant perspectives and Eric’s private debrief. From $2,500 USD per private party of up to 4.
Investor programmes2–6 November 2026
Hong Kong FinTech Week
A private day beyond the conference.
Venture capital · Growth investors · Portfolio leaders16–19 November 2026
AVCJ Hong Kong
An operating view beyond AVCJ.
Private equity · Venture capital · Operating partners17–18 November 2026
APEC CEO Summit
Read the city beyond the summit.
Investors · Business leaders · Executive delegationsIndependent private programmes. No event affiliation, tickets or guaranteed company access. Published event dates are not Futurebound availability.
03 — Meet your hostMedia · Technology · Culture
Eric X.D. Tan · Founder, Futurebound Private
China insight.
A Western lens.
20+Years across games, music
and technology
and technology
3Leadership roles across Riot,
Sony Music and EA
Sony Music and EA
Your host. An operator’s view.
Eric is a former Head of Music, APAC at Riot Games; General Manager, Digital & Business Development at Sony Music Entertainment; and Head of Key Accounts, Publishing at Electronic Arts. His 20+ years span games, music, technology and culture across borders.
He sharpens the brief, hosts the day and interprets what matters across the room and the city. The closing readout connects observation to your decision.
Hong Kong–based. Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Personally hosts every premium programme.
Eric on LinkedIn04 — The business anchorRelationship-led · Individually confirmed
The brief selects the company.
Robotics, music, games, mobility, commerce or AI. Start with the question that matters to you.
A wider conversation · By request
A wider company brief.
Eric’s contacts
- Tencent Games
- Tencent Music Entertainment
- UBTECH Robotics
- BYD
Explore by brief
- DJI
- ByteDance
- Alibaba
- Baidu
Contacts are not confirmed visits. Every introduction depends on relevance, timing and host approval. Other cities can be scoped separately.
Discuss a company brief
A / 01Robotics beyond the demo
Robotics · Embodied intelligence
Possible starting point · UBTECH Robotics
Examine the path from robotics demonstration to deployment.
Private request
A / 02Culture at platform scale
Music · Platforms · Culture
Possible starting point · Tencent Music Entertainment
Explore platforms, audiences and music culture in China.
Private request
A / 03Entertainment across markets
Games · Product · Entertainment
Possible starting point · Tencent Games
Examine games, product culture and global entertainment.
Private requestFuturebound is independent. Eric’s career credentials describe past experience; Riot Games, Sony Music Entertainment, Electronic Arts and other named companies do not sponsor or endorse the service. Past employment never implies access. Every visit requires individual host approval, scheduling and visitor fit. Photography and recording follow the host company’s rules. Images illustrate the sectors and city; they are not evidence of access to a named company.
05 — The city around the conversationTechnology · Neighbourhoods · Everyday life
The city in context.
Public products, neighbourhoods and culture. A City Edit route or context around a premium company conversation.
01
Xiaomi & Huawei flagships
Compare products and retail strategy in public stores. Office access is separate.
02
Driverless mobility
See autonomous mobility in use, where routes and visitor registration allow.
03
Drone delivery
Follow an order from screen to pickup, subject to routes, weather and service.
04
Design & fashion
Design exhibitions, independent businesses, Nantou and OCT-LOFT.
05
Food & after dark
Cantonese food and after-dark culture. Dining and wellness are quoted separately.
06 — One possible 48 hoursArrival evening · Two private days
The Shenzhen Signal
Arrivals hall. Boardroom. Robots. Components. After dark.
Products, platforms, people and culture. A private reading of Shenzhen through both public life and business conversations.
Eric brings 20+ years in media and technology across East and West. He interprets the room and tests what may travel beyond China.
AirportShenzhen BayNanshanHuaqiangbeiAfter dark
Before arrival
The brief comes first.
Eric defines the question, then shapes company requests, preparation, route and logistics around it.
- Guest and company fit
- Privacy and photography
- Dining and dietary brief
- Airport, hotel and luggage
00 / ArrivalFlexible around your flight
Arrival and orientation
Arrival
Private airport welcome
Optional chauffeur-driven Toyota Alphard or equivalent MPV from Shenzhen airport. Eric begins the orientation en route; transport is quoted separately.
19:00
A first table in Shenzhen
Cantonese or Chaoshan dinner selected for substance and setting.
21:00
The private brief
Review the questions, potential hosts and priorities for both days.
01 / Day oneNanshan · Shenzhen Bay
Platforms and products
08:30
The executive breakfast
Frame the day around platforms and consumer behaviour in China.
10:00
Behind the platform
Request a relevant conversation with Tencent Games, Tencent Music Entertainment or another operator. Every host and visit requires approval.
12:15
Lunch and first debrief
Separate observations from interpretation. Refine the afternoon questions.
14:15
The connected-life comparison
Compare Huawei and Xiaomi devices, smart-home products and current EV displays.
16:45
The ten-minute city
Order by drone where routes, weather and operating hours allow.
19:45
The formal table
Optional MICHELIN-starred or chef-led dinner, followed by Eric’s private readout.
02 / Day twoNanshan · Huaqiangbei · After dark
Robotics and hardware
08:45
Robotics in context
Distinguish demonstration, deployment and commercial traction.
10:00
Inside embodied intelligence
Request a UBTECH Robotics visit or conversation on embodied AI and deployment, subject to host approval.
12:15
A locally grounded lunch
Regional food and a candid review of the morning.
14:00
Huaqiangbei, with a thesis
Trace components, devices, wearables and rapid iteration.
17:00
The private synthesis
Turn observations into decisions, hypotheses and next questions.
19:30
Closing table, then after hours
Optional dinner, hotel treatment or vetted 24-hour wellness club.
Departure
Transfer and readout.
Optional transfer to airport, rail, ferry or Hong Kong, quoted separately. A concise field note follows within 48 hours.
The Private Programme
Context makes the difference.
From $4,500 USD / private party · up to 4 guests
Hosting, preparation, route design and debriefs included. Transport, hotels, dining, wellness and admissions quoted separately.
Submit a private briefThis is one possible programme, not a fixed package or promise of access. Company conversations require individual host approval, scheduling and visitor fit. Exact companies, hosts, timings, vehicle, restaurants, product displays, drone routes and wellness arrangements are confirmed in writing. Named companies do not sponsor or endorse Futurebound.
07 — How a premium programme is confirmedFit assessed · Access individually confirmed · Payment last
Brief first. Payment last.
Share the brief
Share the guests, dates and business question.
Assess fit and access
We assess fit, then request a relevant conversation. The host must approve.
Approve the programme
Review confirmed visits, scope, responsibilities and final fee in writing.
Pay securely
Pay by Stripe link or invoice after approval. Payment does not buy access.
08 — EngagementsPrivate parties · Prices in USD
Choose the depth.
The City Edit is a three-hour public-city introduction. Premium programmes add individually approved business conversations, preparation and private debriefs.
How premium payment works
Brief → Host confirmation → Your written approval → Secure Stripe payment
Premium programmes use a private Stripe link or invoice after approval. Only the City Edit has immediate checkout.
Public introduction · 3 hours01
The City Edit
$249 USD / person · 1–8 guests
Fixed fee · Immediate Stripe checkout
Three private hours across Shenzhen’s products, shops and culture.
For · Private travellers seeking a focused first look.
- Three hours with an English-speaking host
- Xiaomi and Huawei public retail, route permitting
- Selected neighbourhoods and design stops
- Local navigation and practical context
Pay online · Host confirms requested date
Book The City EditCore programme · 6–8 hours02
The Access Day
From $2,500 USD / private party · up to 4 guests
Starting fee · Final scope and fee agreed before payment
One question. One approved conversation. One day with Eric.
For · Principals and leaders with one clear question.
- One company or industry conversation, subject to host approval
- Pre-arrival call, briefing and question preparation
- 6–8 hours hosted by Eric, with city and cultural context
- Private closing debrief
- Route planning and logistics coordination
Brief → Host approval → Your approval → Stripe
View Access DayDeep programme · 1–2 days03
The Private Programme
From $4,500 USD / private party · up to 4 guests
Starting fee · Final scope and fee agreed before payment
One or two days. Up to two approved conversations. A deeper readout.
For · Private clients and leadership teams needing depth.
- Up to two conversations, each subject to host approval
- Planning call, briefings and question preparation
- One or two days personally hosted by Eric
- Cultural route shaped around the brief
- Private closing readout
Brief → Host approval → Your approval → Stripe
View Private ProgrammeFees cover personal hosting, preparation and route planning. Transport, meals, purchases, admissions and optional extensions are additional and agreed separately. Company programme prices depend on the final scope and locations.
Three hours in the city
Book The City Edit.
Choose a date, group size and interests. Company office visits are not included.
View The City Edit09 — Private by designNo guest list · No borrowed status
Your visit stays private.
No guest lists, client tags or publicity without consent. Photography and recording require advance agreement and follow host-company rules.
Details shared on a need-to-know basisPrivate movement and hospitality planningIndependent service · No endorsement implied
10 — The China EditEditorial layer · Culture × technology
EDIT / 01Shenzhen, in detail.
Products, streets, design and everyday behaviour. Field notes from the city beyond the headline.
01How to plan a Shenzhen company visit without starting with a logo listAccess & protocol02How to read a Shenzhen technology flagship like an operatorProducts & culture03How to read humanoid robotics beyond the demonstrationRobotics
Read all Shenzhen field notes 11 — Useful answersBefore you choose your day
The essentials.
What exactly is Futurebound Private?
A Hong Kong–based private executive programme, beginning in Shenzhen. Eric X.D. Tan hosts premium visits built around an individually approved company or industry conversation, with city and cultural context. This is not a group tour, paid-access marketplace or supplier-sourcing service.
Who is the premium programme designed for?
Founders, investors, principals and senior leaders with a defined China question. Advisers, chambers and delegation organisers can commission a programme for a suitable client or group.
Where is Futurebound based?
Based in Hong Kong. The first edition is in Shenzhen. Wider-China programmes can be scoped by brief.
What does the $249-per-person City Edit include?
Three private hours at US$249 per person for 1–8 guests. The route can include public Xiaomi and Huawei retail plus selected cultural stops. Meals, transport, purchases and admissions are extra. No company office visit is included.
When do I pay for a premium programme?
After a brief and host-approved access, you receive the scope and final fee in writing. Approve it before paying via private Stripe link or invoice. The fee covers preparation, design and hosting; it does not buy company access.
Which companies can we explore?
Eric has contacts at Tencent Games, Tencent Music Entertainment, UBTECH Robotics and BYD. DJI, ByteDance, Alibaba, Baidu and others can be explored by brief. Contacts do not guarantee a visit; every host approves individually.
Is my selected date immediately confirmed?
City Edit checkout submits a date request. The host confirms by email. If unavailable, choose another date or a full refund. Premium programmes are confirmed before payment. October 4–8, 2026 is unavailable.
Can we add food, driverless rides or a spa?
Dining, evening extensions and wellness can be quoted separately. Driverless rides and drone delivery depend on routes, weather, service and visitor registration. A three-hour City Edit cannot cover every stop.
How much notice should I give?
Allow at least 3–4 weeks for one company request; 8–16 weeks for complex or multi-city programmes. Short-notice briefs can be assessed. Access is never implied before host approval.
Can Futurebound support a chamber or multilingual delegation?
Yes. Programmes are built around a shared sector or market question. Eric works in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Other languages require an agreed interpreter, scoped separately. Company conversations remain subject to fit, timing and host approval.
Futurebound Private
Start with the brief.
Share the guests, dates and question. We’ll assess fit, access and scope.
Discuss a private briefNo payment is requested until access, scope and the final fee have been confirmed and approved in writing.