In this episode, we’re joined by Freeman Ding, a pioneer of China’s consumer internet boom who worked in Chinese tech giants like Baidu, and even Dianping during the $9.5B Meituan-Dianping merger.

Tune in as Freeman dives into why China’s tech ecosystem remains unmatched and Shanghai’s crucial role in the development of consumer tech. He also breaks down the key drivers behind Meituan’s food delivery dominance, and the need for local services platform to balance between low frequency and high frequency use cases.

Freeman also challenges the buzz around “super apps,” arguing that only WeChat truly fits the label. Finally, we explore the global ambitions of Chinese tech giants — TikTok, SHEIN and Meituan — can they replicate China’s playbook? Or will regulatory and cultural barriers prevail?

Chapters:

00:01:14 Life in Shanghai vs. Singapore:

00:06:49 Why Shanghai breeds consumer tech unicorns

00:13:05 Rise of Meituan, from group-buying wars to food delivery dominance

00:39:44 The “Yelp” of China?

00:48:46 WeChat is China’s only superapp

00:56:20 Can Meituan/TikTok conquer global markets?

Featured materials:

E42: Why were 2011~16 golden years of Chinese tech?, The Impulso Podcast

E95:How Meituan overtook FoodPanda in Hong Kong, and what’s next?, The Impulso Podcast

[Case Study] meituan’s business clarity, Momentum Works