Chinese AI Startups MiniMax and Zhipu AI Debut on HKEX, Raising HK$4.35 Billion
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 10 2026- Market Confidence Boost: This week, MiniMax and Zhipu AI made strong debuts on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, collectively raising HK$4.35 billion, reflecting robust investor confidence in the Chinese AI sector.
- Technical Bottleneck Challenge: Despite advantages in electricity and infrastructure, the lack of advanced chipmaking equipment remains a major bottleneck for industry growth, particularly the insufficient production capacity of lithography machines, which limits high-end chip production.
- Innovation-Driven Development: Chinese AI researchers are addressing resource constraints through algorithm-hardware co-design, enabling AI firms to run large models on smaller, cheaper hardware, thereby enhancing overall efficiency.
- Improving Risk Investment Environment: Zhipu AI founder Tang Jie noted that younger Chinese AI entrepreneurs are increasingly willing to take on high-risk projects, a shift that could foster a better innovation environment and encourage more intelligent individuals to engage in innovative endeavors.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
