International expansion starts with understanding a market and knowing who to build with. That was the focus of SEE UP’s participation at S-Tron Shanghai 2026, held on 22–23 September.
Representing SEE UP, Ilija Veljković, Head of Partnerships & Business Development joined a panel on trust, local partnerships and international expansion, sharing a perspective from Serbia and our work with founders. The discussion explored how entrepreneurs can connect across borders and build the relationships needed to grow in unfamiliar markets.
Alongside the conference, SEE UP co-organised “Bridge to SEE UP” with S-Tron, Saichuang Weilai and the Sino-Italian Ningbo Ecological Park. The session connected founders from our network with Chinese investors and industry representatives to discuss potential partnerships.
This work builds on SEE UP’s community partnership with S-Tron and our wider efforts to support founders exploring China. The focus is practical: understand local demand, identify relevant partners and explore opportunities for market validation and potential pilots.
Shanghai was another step towards a repeatable pathway between Europe and China, giving future founders relevant contacts, local insight and a stronger starting point for international growth.
