From Budapest to the Bund: A Hungarian Entrepreneur’s Journey in Shanghai
Steven Back, a Hungarian expatriate, has called Shanghai home for nearly 18 years, transforming his fascination with China into a cross-cultural tech venture. After traveling extensively across the country, Back founded a team dedicated to reimagining museum exhibits through augmented reality and interactive storytelling, creating bridges between Chinese history and global audiences.
\"Shanghai is the cradle of entrepreneurship—every corner pulses with energy and possibility,\" said Back. \"Growing alongside this city and China’s remarkable development has been exhilarating.\"
His projects, often showcased in collaboration with European institutions, leverage 3D scanning, AI-driven narratives, and gamification to engage younger generations. Shanghai’s thriving startup ecosystem and openness to experimentation have been critical to his success, he added.
Why Shanghai?
As China’s financial and innovation capital, Shanghai houses 18% of the country’s AI startups and has attracted over $5 billion in global tech investments since 2023. Back’s story reflects a broader trend: 62% of foreign entrepreneurs in the city report improved access to funding and talent compared to pre-pandemic years.
Reference(s):
Shanghai, the cradle of entrepreneurship and my second hometown
cgtn.com
