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ASCENT

ASCENT

Auteur(s): Fangdi Pan & Linda Zhang
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À propos de cet audio

ASCENT podcast is your in-depth look at the fastest-growing Asian businesses. We deliver exclusive, deep-dive research into the strategies, struggles, and secrets to success of Asia's top market leaders and tech companies. Whether you're an investor, founder, or just curious, this is your backstage pass to the business revolution happening in China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

ASCENT 2025
Économie
Épisodes
  • Game Science (Creator of Black Myth: Wukong)
    Nov 1 2025

    This episode dives into the inspiring journey of Game Science, the Chinese studio that defied industry giants with their global hit, Black Myth: Wukong. Discover how disillusioned Tencent veterans Feng Ji and Yang Qi bet everything on a single-player, PC-only game rooted in Chinese mythology. We trace their decade-long quest from compromise to triumph, exploring the creative philosophy, financial risks, and artistic passion behind a game that sold millions in days. This is the story of proving a small studio could conquer the global stage and redefine what's possible for Chinese game developers. A must-listen for gamers and entrepreneurs alike.

    👉 Subscribe & Follow: ASCENT Podcast on Substack

    📖 Episode Chapters

    00:01:02 Intro

    00:01:59 CEO Feng Ji’s Journey from Science Major to Game Junkie

    00:11:26 The Artistic Talent Behind Wukong: Yang Qi

    00:18:10 Source Material: Journey to the West and the Game's Backstory

    00:30:47 The Predecessor: Lessons Learned from the Tencent Asura Project

    00:38:42 Game Science is Born: Survival and Compromise

    00:47:55 Building a Myth: The Six-Year Grind of Black Myth: Wukong

    01:04:45 The Hype After the Trailer: Game Science's Response to Media and Investment

    01:31:14 What's Next? Zhong Kui, Expectations, and the Future of Game Science

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    1 h et 47 min
  • Pop Mart (Maker of Labubu)
    Sep 26 2025

    Step into the world of Pop Mart (泡泡玛特)—the Chinese collectible toy giant that turned “ugly-cute” designer figures into an international sensation. In this episode, we reveal founder Wang Ning’s journey from a small Beijing shop to a multibillion-dollar brand leading the global blind-box craze. What key business foundations did the Pop Mart team lay before launching Labubu to enable such massive worldwide success?

    🔑 What You’ll Learn

    • Pop Mart’s Rise: From humble Beijing beginnings to global blind-box dominance.
    • Design to Factory to Store: Behind the scenes of how Pop Mart identifies artists and creates blind-box designs.
    • Business Model Secrets: The gamified blind-box strategy driving explosive growth.
    • The Labubu Effect: How one IP became a global hit thanks to social media.

    Whether you’re into designer toys, collectibles, or retail strategy, this deep dive shows how Pop Mart built a worldwide following—one blind box at a time.

    👉 Subscribe & Follow: ASCENT Podcast on Substack

    📖 Episode Chapters

    00:00:00 Introduction: the “ugly-cute” monster that blew up the internet

    00:05:00 From CDs to grid shops: Wang Ning’s college hustles

    00:12:02 Surviving the early years: cash-strapped and cornered

    00:16:03 The VC lifeline: how Mai Gang’s faith saved Pop Mart

    00:24:58 Sourcing the management team from MBA class

    00:30:40 The great pivot: from licensing to IP powerhouse

    00:41:03 The blind-box formula: Molly, Labubu, and the gamified craze

    00:57:34 Behind the scenes: from artist discovery to store sales

    01:16:37 Global expansion: from partnerships to full control

    01:34:55 Our take on why Pop Mart succeeded

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    1 h et 42 min
  • Xiaomi EV
    Aug 15 2025

    Today we are covering a company that built its name on viral smart phones and a "magic touch" for creating every kind of smart home appliance imaginable. We're, of course, talking about Xiaomi.

    This company, which started far from the automotive world, has just launched its first two EV models, and the result is stunning. The SU7 sedan and the YU7 SUV have become one of the most wanted and pre-ordered EVs in China. It also made the fastest EV sports car in history so far.

    This is Xiaomi EV.

    👉 Subscribe & Follow: ASCENT Podcast on Substack

    📖 Episode Chapters

    00:00:59 Intro

    00:02:47 The “Tony Stark” of China: the story of Lei Jun

    00:10:41 Building an empire: the Kingsoft years and the founding of Xiaomi

    00:25:18 More than phones: a breakdown of Xiaomi's business lines

    00:34:17 Blacklist, boardrooms, and a big decision: how a crisis led to the EV venture

    00:45:09 The EV hunger game: navigating a “game of elimination"

    00:57:17 The SU7: a masterclass in smart EV manufacturing

    01:17:15 The "Halo effect" of Ultra: how racing puts Xiaomi on the map

    01:33:17 The numbers game: sales, market share, and industry trends

    01:39:54 Demand outruns the factory: the production challenge

    01:45:15 The fastest to profit: Xiaomi's future and global ambitions

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    1 h et 59 min
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