Boman Group opens China tech mission for Australian founders

Boman Group has opened applications for a five-day technology trade mission to China for Australian founders and business leaders, focused on Zhejiang province.

The programme includes meetings with companies such as Alibaba, Unitree Robotics and Geely, alongside visits to Hangzhou and Taizhou, which the organiser describes as major innovation and manufacturing centres in the province.

The mission is aimed at startup founders and emerging businesses seeking direct contact with Chinese technology companies. Organisers also plan to arrange tailored one-to-one meetings, with delegates able to nominate target companies or sectors, subject to availability.

Boman Group developed the delegation with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and the Australian Zhejiang Overseas Chinese Federation. Provincial and municipal authorities are also supporting coordination throughout the trip.

Mission Focus

The itinerary combines company visits with business forums, including the China (Zhejiang)-Australia Economic & Trade Conference in Hangzhou and the Taizhou Trade & Investment Promotion Conference. Both events will focus on advanced manufacturing and technology.

Zhejiang has become a prominent hub for Chinese private-sector technology groups, and Hangzhou in particular has attracted attention for a cluster sometimes referred to as the "six little dragons". They are Game Science, DeepSeek, Unitree Robotics, DEEP Robotics, BrainCo and Manycore Tech.

Eric Gao, chief executive of Boman Group, said the trip addresses a longstanding gap for Australian founders seeking access to China's technology sector.

"Founders have long made the journey to Silicon Valley to learn from the best and brightest in the US," Gao said. "This kind of opportunity didn't exist for China until now. And we're incredibly excited for what may come from it."

The exchange is intended to run in both directions, with Chinese businesses also looking to learn more about Australian startups and products. Boman Group will also help delegates manage language and cultural barriers during meetings and formal engagements.

"We're helping bridge both the language and cultural barriers that can make it difficult for founders to run a trip like this on their own," Gao said. "This won't be a one-way exchange either. We know our hosts abroad are incredibly interested and excited in Australian technology, and the solutions we've developed to solve issues unique to our region."

Delegate Costs

Places are limited to a select number of startups and emerging businesses. Participants must pay their own international airfares and a delegation fee of AUD $2,999 plus GST, which covers in-country transport, official meals and hotel accommodation during the visit.

The mission also marks a further step in Boman Group's broader international delegation work. It previously assisted with a Tianjin government visit to Melbourne and later led a delegation to Tianjin.

Boman Group was founded by Eric Gao and Julius Wei and rebranded from BMY Group. The firm has more than AUD $860 million in assets under management.