XNode

What XNode does

XNode is a Shanghai-headquartered open innovation platform founded in 2015, operating across Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore, that delivers cross-border innovation services between China and global markets. The company runs five service lines — Launch China (inbound landing support for overseas tech companies), Global Expansion (outbound support for Chinese enterprises entering Southeast Asia, UAE, and other markets), Corporate Innovation (open innovation programs for MNCs and large Chinese corporates), City Innovation (services for municipal governments and industrial parks), and Venture Building through its ATUM Ventures sub-brand (direct investment of up to SGD 200,000 per deep-tech startup). Its platform combines innovation intelligence and trend analysis, tech scouting and startup matching, 3-6 month acceleration programs, learning expeditions, and investment commercialization support, delivered through proprietary frameworks rather than a self-serve SaaS product.

The business model is anchored in professional services fees for customized enterprise programs and city engagements, supplemented by equity returns from the ATUM Ventures portfolio (20 startups built in 4 years with a first exit recently achieved). Customer segments span multinational corporates (Intel China, Scania, BASF, Changi Airport Group, Michelin, Sodexo, Novares, Henkel, SAP, Philips), overseas startups seeking China entry, Chinese companies pursuing outbound expansion, and Chinese municipal governments. Long-tenured exclusive partnerships with Intel China's GrowthX platform (since 2018) and Enterprise Singapore's GIA program (since 2019), along with newer country-level agreements with Thailand's NIA (2024), Brazil's ApexBrasil (2021), and Singapore's NGRIP (2026), form the strategic backbone. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales combined with government and investment-institution referral channels, supported by a community-led alumni model. The company is founder-led by CEO Zhou Wei and operates with 11-50 employees.

Name

XNode

Legal name

XNode

Website

https://thexnode.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

XNode is a Shanghai-based open innovation platform that runs cross-border acceleration, corporate innovation, and venture building programs linking 500+ technology companies, 50+ multinationals, and government partners across China, Singapore, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Consulting and Cross-Border Business Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Computer Related Services (541519), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Application Development (Web/Mobile/Desktop) (BPAEAFAA)

Keywords

• Corporate innovation consulting
• Venture building acceleration
• Cross-border market entry
• Tech scouting services
• Open innovation platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Venture Building Investment Returns: XNode generates returns through direct equity investments in startups via the ATUM Ventures program. Each portfolio company receives up to SGD 200,000 in direct investment, with follow-on funding support and investment capacity at pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages. The company has achieved its first exit among 20 startups built in 4 years.
2. Corporate Innovation Consulting and Acceleration Services: Fee-based services for multinational and Chinese corporations seeking open innovation solutions, including tech scouting, innovation acceleration programs (3-6 months), learning expeditions, and investment commercialization support. Programs are customized per client needs.
3. Global Expansion Acceleration Programs: Structured acceleration boot camps and consulting services helping Chinese companies enter Southeast Asia, UAE, and other global markets. Services include market research, strategic planning, company registration support, and ongoing operational assistance.
4. City Innovation Consulting: Strategic advisory and operational services for cities and industrial parks seeking to attract international projects or expand globally. Services include overseas service hub setup, international matchmaking, policy advisory, and localized branding support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

XNode operates a global open innovation platform that provides corporate innovation consulting, venture building, and cross-border market entry services. Its five core offerings include Launch China (helping overseas tech companies enter China), Global Expansion (enabling Chinese companies to go international), Corporate Innovation (open innovation programs for MNCs), City Innovation (services for governments and industrial parks), and Venture Building through ATUM Ventures (direct investment and acceleration for deep-tech startups).

Product overview

XNode is a global entrepreneurship and innovation platform operating as a multi-service accelerator with five core service lines: Launch China (helping overseas tech companies enter China), Global Expansion (enabling Chinese companies to go international), Corporate Innovation (matching innovation solutions for enterprises), City Innovation (empowering cities with global resources), and Venture Building via ATUM Ventures (investing in deep-tech startups). The platform operates across Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore, offering programs ranging from acceleration boot camps, leadership programs, consulting services, to technical support including rapid prototyping credits and workspace provision. XNode serves 500+ technology companies and partners with over 50 MNCs and Chinese corporate clients to facilitate cross-border innovation and business growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATUM Ventures: Venture building and investment arm focusing on science-based startups in Singapore, built in collaboration with Alliance Partners. Has built 20 startups in 4 years with first exit achieved.
• GrowthX

Products and services

• Launch China (落地中国) Launch China empowers overseas technology companies to seamlessly enter the Chinese market through strategic localization, resource integration, and collaborative innovation for long-term business success. The service includes market research, partner matching, regulatory compliance support, and ongoing operational assistance.
• Global Expansion (出海全球) Global Expansion helps Chinese enterprises and institutes go global by building international bridges and unlocking global market opportunities through strategic planning, company registration, financial solutions, talent acquisition, and market validation services.
• Corporate Innovation (大企业创新) Corporate Innovation identifies and matches cutting-edge innovation solutions for leading global and domestic corporations, driving breakthroughs in technology and business models through open innovation programs. Services include innovation intelligence, tech scouting, 3-6 month acceleration programs, and investment commercialization support.
• City Innovation (城市创新) City Innovation empowers cities and industrial parks with global resources and local support to grow inbound and outbound business, boosting international visibility and sustainable growth. Services include overseas service hub setup, international matchmaking, policy advisory, and localized branding support.
• Venture Building / ATUM Ventures Venture Building through ATUM Ventures builds and invests in science-based startups, offering direct investment up to SGD 200,000, acceleration program access, office space, technical support, ecosystem access, and mentoring for deep-tech startups in areas like Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, MedTech, Robotics, and Physical AI.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ technology companies achieved international market entry and business breakthroughs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Enterprise SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-term strategic partnership for operating internationally oriented innovation and entrepreneurship accelerators. XNode supports Enterprise Singapore's Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) program, having helped 100+ Singapore startups enter the China market through multi-city acceleration cohorts spanning the Yangtze River Delta and Greater Bay Area.
• Intel ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Exclusive partnership since 2018 for GrowthX (formerly Idea2Reality, I2R) internal innovation platform. XNode designs and delivers tailored acceleration programs, developing business use cases leveraging Intel's core technologies and accelerating ideas from Intel employees and external startups.
• Sodexo ChinamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Open innovation program launched in 2018 to leverage local technologies for smart dining solutions. XNode screened 65 tech firms, selected 4 for acceleration, and facilitated Sodexo's first million-dollar investment in a Chinese tech firm.
• Shanghai Zhangjiang GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for operating internationally oriented innovation and entrepreneurship accelerators. XNode leverages its experience in providing highly globalized entrepreneurial innovation community services to nearly 300 entrepreneurs from over 28 countries and regions, jointly supporting the expansion of Zhangjiang's overseas base in Singapore.
• ATUM VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXNode's venture building initiative in collaboration with ATUM Collective. ATUM builds and invests in science-based startups in Singapore, having built 20 startups in 4 years with first exit achieved. XNode provides follow-on support via China platform for local market expansion.
• Foxconn (Maxnerva Technology Services)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for hardware-centric acceleration programs, providing tailored market research, production deployment support, and technical iteration through Foxconn's Xi'an factory for wearable technology companies like NURVV entering China.
• 500+ MNCs and Corporate PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive network of multinational enterprises including Changi Airport Group, Michelin, Scania, BASF, Intel, SAP, Henkel, Continental, Kering, PepsiCo, AstraZeneca, and others engaged in open innovation programs.
• Government Innovation AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with governmental organizations including Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry, Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA), Brazil's ApexBrasil, and various Chinese municipal governments for innovation programs.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversitysupportingTechnology or IntegrationResearch institution partnership for technology sourcing in the Sodexo innovation program, providing access to AI visual recognition and other innovations from top academic institutions.
• Shanghai Technology Innovation CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Brazil Acceleration Camp project, working with Brazilian Consulate General in Shanghai and ApexBrasil to support Brazilian startups entering the China market.
• Thailand National Innovation Agency (NIA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program in 2025 to help Thai tech companies enter China, with first cohort including startups in healthcare, sustainable protein, and blockchain+AI health data.
• HighTechXLsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Netherlands-based deep tech startup incubator, part of XNode's global innovation ecosystem connecting Asia-Pacific with European innovation networks.
• DeepTechXLsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with global deep tech investment institution specializing in disruptive technologies, expanding XNode's network for cross-border innovation support.
• Takumi (匠创科技)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border innovation consulting firm connecting Japan and China, with offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tokyo, providing startup incubation, investment matching, and market entry support.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global startup accelerator and corporate innovation platform running multi-vertical programs and partnering with MNCs on open innovation. Direct comparable in business model — corporate innovation programs, acceleration cohorts, and tech scouting — with a comparable footprint across multiple geographies.
• SOSV: Multi-stage venture capital and accelerator operator (incl. HAX, Chinaccelerator, MOX) running global accelerator programs for startups. Comparable as a global accelerator with deep China and Asia presence via Chinaccelerator, serving similar corporate and startup clients.
• Chinaccelerator: China-focused startup accelerator (part of SOSV) helping Chinese and international startups scale. Direct comparable for inbound China market entry support, startup acceleration cohorts, and corporate-startup matching.
• Brinc: Hong Kong-headquartered global accelerator running vertical programs (cleantech, IoT, health) with strong China and Asia-Pacific links. Comparable for cross-border acceleration, corporate innovation programs, and hardware/IoT startup support.
• HAX (SOSV): Hardware-focused accelerator running Shenzhen-based programs to help global hardware startups manufacture and scale in China. Direct comparable for cross-border Shenzhen-based hardware acceleration and China market entry support, including Foxconn-like manufacturing partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network operating accelerator programs worldwide with corporate partnerships. Comparable business model (3-month cohorts, mentorship, corporate-startup matching), though much larger and broader in geography; less China specialization than XNode.
• 500 Global: Global venture firm and accelerator (formerly 500 Startups) running programs across emerging and developed markets. Comparable for startup acceleration and VC tie-ins, with broader geographic reach but less China-specific deep operational presence.

Regional players

• Sinovation Ventures: China-based technology investment firm founded by Kai-Fu Lee with corporate innovation and venture building activities. Comparable for China-rooted corporate innovation and venture building, though focused more on direct investing than services platform.
• Shanghai-based government-linked accelerators (e.g., Zhangjiang InnoPark programs): Government-backed innovation platforms in Shanghai operating city innovation and international project attraction programs. Comparable for city-level innovation services and Chinese municipal partnerships, with whom XNode partners directly.

Emerging players

• Startupbootcamp: Global network of industry-focused accelerators with programs in multiple verticals. Comparable for vertical-specific acceleration cohorts and corporate-startup matching, though less China-specific depth than XNode.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/xnode
• Xx.com/xnodeaccelerate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about XNode