For principals
Founders, investors and leaders with a specific China question.
Best starting point · Executive Access DayExplore Executive Access Day
Private China Immersions
Edition 01 / Shenzhen
Culture × technology · A Western lens
Hong Kong for LP meetings.Shenzhen for a different perspective.
Add one or two privately hosted days in Shenzhen. Company visits, cultural exchange and local context, shaped around your interests and personally hosted by Eric X.D. Tan.
Culture × technology · personally hostedExplore the programmes
Choose your destinationFuturebound Private · China
Two cities. Your perspective.
Shenzhen for your Hong Kong extension. Shanghai when your China plans take you further.
01 — The premiseTech is the entry point · Shenzhen is the story
Read the company. Read the city.
Futurebound builds private Shenzhen programmes around business, investment and creative questions. An individually approved company conversation anchors the premium programme. Products, design, food and culture supply context. Eric X.D. Tan brings 20+ years across Asian and Western media and technology to the brief, the day and the private debrief.
02 — For whomDirect guest · Trusted adviser · Leadership team
Choose your path.
One city. Different briefs for principals, advisers and teams.
For advisers
A specialist Shenzhen programme for private clients and executive teams.
Clear qualification · Discreet handoffAdviser pathwayFor delegations
Focused programmes for chambers, trade missions and leadership teams.
Member programme · Custom scopeDelegation programmesThe fit
Built for a defined question and sufficient lead time. No sightseeing checklist, guaranteed access or routine sourcing.
Investor agendasHong Kong × Shenzhen
Make the extra day count.
Private Shenzhen programmes for VC and PE teams. One defined question, relevant perspectives and Eric’s private debrief. From $1,250 USD per person · 2– 4.
Investor programmes2–6 November 2026
Hong Kong FinTech Week
A private day beyond the conference.
Venture capital · Growth investors · Portfolio leaders16–19 November 2026
AVCJ Hong Kong
An operating view beyond AVCJ.
Private equity · Venture capital · Operating partners17–18 November 2026
APEC CEO Summit
Read the city beyond the summit.
Investors · Business leaders · Executive delegationsIndependent private programmes. No event affiliation, tickets or guaranteed company access. Published event dates are not Futurebound availability.
03 — Meet your hostMedia · Technology · Culture
Eric X.D. Tan · Founder, Futurebound Private
China insight.
A Western lens.
20+Years across games, music
and technology
and technology
3Leadership roles across Riot,
Sony Music and EA
Sony Music and EA
Your host. An operator’s view.
Eric is a former Head of Music, APAC at Riot Games; General Manager, Digital & Business Development at Sony Music Entertainment; and Head of Key Accounts, Publishing at Electronic Arts. His 20+ years span games, music, technology and culture across borders.
He sharpens the brief, hosts the day and interprets what matters across the room and the city. The closing readout connects observation to your decision.
Hong Kong–based. Fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Personally hosts every premium programme.
Eric on LinkedIn04 — The business anchorRelationship-led · Individually confirmed
The brief selects the company.
Robotics, music, games, mobility, commerce or AI. Start with the question that matters to you.
A wider conversation · By request
A wider company brief.
- BYD
- DJI
- ByteDance
- Alibaba
- Tencent Games
- Tencent Music Entertainment
- UBTECH Robotics
- Baidu
Eric has contacts at BYD, Tencent Games, Tencent Music Entertainment and UBTECH Robotics. Every visit depends on relevance, timing and host approval; no company is a confirmed host or sponsor.
Discuss a company brief
A / 01Robotics beyond the demo
Robotics · Embodied intelligence
Possible starting point · UBTECH Robotics
Examine the path from robotics demonstration to deployment.
Private request
A / 02Culture at platform scale
Music · Platforms · Culture
Possible starting point · Tencent Music Entertainment
Explore platforms, audiences and music culture in China.
Private request
A / 03Entertainment across markets
Games · Product · Entertainment
Possible starting point · Tencent Games
Examine games, product culture and global entertainment.
Private requestFuturebound is independent. Eric’s career credentials describe past experience; Riot Games, Sony Music Entertainment, Electronic Arts and other named companies do not sponsor or endorse the service. Past employment never implies access. Every visit requires individual host approval, scheduling and visitor fit. Photography and recording follow the host company’s rules. Images illustrate the sectors and city; they are not evidence of access to a named company.
05 — The city around the conversationTechnology · Neighbourhoods · Everyday life
The city in context.
Public products, neighbourhoods and culture. A City Edit route or context around a premium company conversation.
01
Xiaomi & Huawei flagships
Compare products and retail strategy in public stores. Office access is separate.
02
Driverless mobility
See autonomous mobility in use, where routes and visitor registration allow.
03
Drone delivery
Follow an order from screen to pickup, subject to routes, weather and service.
04
Design & fashion
Design exhibitions, independent businesses, Nantou and OCT-LOFT.
05
Food & after dark
Cantonese food and after-dark culture. Dining and wellness are quoted separately.
06 — One possible 48 hoursArrival evening · Two private days
The Shenzhen Signal
Arrivals hall. Boardroom. Robots. Components. After dark.
Products, platforms, people and culture. A private reading of Shenzhen through both public life and business conversations.
Eric brings 20+ years in media and technology across East and West. He interprets the room and tests what may travel beyond China.
AirportShenzhen BayNanshanHuaqiangbeiAfter dark
Before arrival
The brief comes first.
Eric defines the question, then shapes company requests, preparation, route and logistics around it.
- Guest and company fit
- Privacy and photography
- Dining and dietary brief
- Airport, hotel and luggage
00 / ArrivalFlexible around your flight
Arrival and orientation
Arrival
Private airport welcome
Optional chauffeur-driven Toyota Alphard or equivalent MPV from Shenzhen airport. Eric begins the orientation en route; transport is quoted separately.
19:00
A first table in Shenzhen
Cantonese or Chaoshan dinner selected for substance and setting.
21:00
The private brief
Review the questions, potential hosts and priorities for both days.
01 / Day oneNanshan · Shenzhen Bay
Platforms and products
08:30
The executive breakfast
Frame the day around platforms and consumer behaviour in China.
10:00
Behind the platform
Request a relevant conversation with Tencent Games, Tencent Music Entertainment or another operator. Every host and visit requires approval.
12:15
Lunch and first debrief
Separate observations from interpretation. Refine the afternoon questions.
14:15
The connected-life comparison
Compare Huawei and Xiaomi devices, smart-home products and current EV displays.
16:45
The ten-minute city
Order by drone where routes, weather and operating hours allow.
19:45
The formal table
Optional MICHELIN-starred or chef-led dinner, followed by Eric’s private readout.
02 / Day twoNanshan · Huaqiangbei · After dark
Robotics and hardware
08:45
Robotics in context
Distinguish demonstration, deployment and commercial traction.
10:00
Inside embodied intelligence
Request a UBTECH Robotics visit or conversation on embodied AI and deployment, subject to host approval.
12:15
A locally grounded lunch
Regional food and a candid review of the morning.
14:00
Huaqiangbei, with a thesis
Trace components, devices, wearables and rapid iteration.
17:00
The private synthesis
Turn observations into decisions, hypotheses and next questions.
19:30
Closing table, then after hours
Optional dinner, hotel treatment or vetted 24-hour wellness club.
Departure
Transfer and readout.
Optional transfer to airport, rail, ferry or Hong Kong, quoted separately. A concise field note follows within 48 hours.
Private Executive Programme · One-day starting fee
Context makes the difference.
From $2,250 USD / person · 2– 4 guests
Hosting, preparation, route design and debriefs included. The starting fee covers one day; a 48-hour extension is scoped separately. Transport, hotels, dining, wellness and admissions quoted separately.
Start a private briefThis is one possible programme, not a fixed package or promise of access. Company conversations require individual host approval, scheduling and visitor fit. Exact companies, hosts, timings, vehicle, restaurants, product displays, drone routes and wellness arrangements are confirmed in writing. Named companies do not sponsor or endorse Futurebound.
07 — How a premium programme is confirmedFit assessed · Access individually confirmed · Payment last
Brief first. Payment last.
Share the brief
Share the guests, dates and business question.
Assess fit and access
We assess fit, then request a relevant conversation. The host must approve.
Approve the programme
Review confirmed visits, scope, responsibilities and final fee in writing.
Pay securely
Pay by Stripe link or invoice after approval. Payment does not buy access.
08 — EngagementsOne-day programmes · USD per person
Choose the depth.
One or two company tours. Or a private day with VP-level-or-above meetings. All personally hosted by Eric, with preparation and a private debrief.
How premium payment works
Brief → Host confirmation → Your written approval → Secure Stripe payment
Premium programmes use a private Stripe link or invoice after approval. Only the City Edit has immediate checkout.
All four programmes are one day. Starting prices are USD per person for private groups of 2–4, with a two-guest minimum. Solo and larger-group briefs are quoted separately. Company tours do not include a VP-level meeting. Every visit and meeting requires individual host confirmation. Final scope, named host, format and fee are agreed in writing before payment. Transport, meals, hotels, admissions and extensions are quoted separately.
Company tour · One day01
One Company Tour
From $499 USD / person · 2–4 guests
Starting price · Two-guest minimum
One approved company visit. A full day of context with Eric.
For · Curious founders, teams and private travellers.
- One company tour, individually approved by the host
- Pre-visit brief shaped around your interests
- One day personally hosted by Eric
- Selected city and cultural context
- Private closing debrief
Brief → Host confirmation → Your approval → Stripe
Discuss this programmeCompany tours · One day02
Two Company Tours
From $799 USD / person · 2–4 guests
Starting price · Two-guest minimum
Two approved company visits. One question, two perspectives.
For · Curious founders, teams and private travellers.
- Two company tours, each approved by its host
- A shared theme and pre-visit preparation
- One day personally hosted by Eric
- Route shaped around confirmed visit times
- Comparative private debrief
Brief → Host confirmation → Your approval → Stripe
Discuss this programmeExecutive access · One day03
Executive Access Day
From $1,250 USD / person · 2–4 guests
Starting price · Two-guest minimum
One host-confirmed VP-level-or-above meeting. A focused day with Eric.
For · Principals and leaders with a defined business question.
- One VP-level-or-above meeting, confirmed by the host
- Planning call, briefing and question preparation
- One day personally hosted by Eric
- City and cultural context around your brief
- Private readout and follow-up questions
Brief → Host confirmation → Your approval → Stripe
Discuss this programmeExecutive access · One day04
Private Executive Programme
From $2,250 USD / person · 2–4 guests
Starting price · Two-guest minimum
Up to two host-confirmed VP-level-or-above meetings. A focused synthesis.
For · Principals and leaders with a defined business question.
- Up to two VP-level-or-above meetings, each confirmed by its host
- Private planning call and focused preparation
- One day personally hosted by Eric
- Company perspectives connected to your brief
- Private synthesis and next-step questions
Brief → Host confirmation → Your approval → Stripe
Discuss this programmeFees cover personal hosting, preparation and route planning. Transport, meals, purchases, admissions and optional extensions are additional and agreed separately. Company programme prices depend on the final scope and locations.
Three hours in the city
Book The City Edit.
Choose a date, group size and interests. Company office visits are not included.
View The City Edit09 — Private by designNo guest list · No borrowed status
Your visit stays private.
No guest lists, client tags or publicity without consent. Photography and recording require advance agreement and follow host-company rules.
Details shared on a need-to-know basisPrivate movement and hospitality planningIndependent service · No endorsement implied
10 — The China EditEditorial layer · Culture × technology
EDIT / 01Shenzhen, in detail.
Products, streets, design and everyday behaviour. Field notes from the city beyond the headline.
01miHoYo in Shanghai: What Global Investors Can Learn About Entertainment IPShanghai / Games, culture & investment02Before the flight home: a Shenzhen extension for visiting VC partnersPrivate programmes / Visiting VC partners03The Extra Day: make room for ShenzhenPrivate programmes / Visiting VC partners04A private Shenzhen extension around your Hong Kong LP meetingsPrivate programmes / Visiting VC partners05AVCJ 2026: What Should Your Portfolio Team Learn in Shenzhen?Executive notes / Private equity06BODW 2026: A Shared Shenzhen Brief for Family-Office Advisers and the Next GenerationExecutive notes / Family-office advisers07W&W at PlayX: Read Shenzhen After Dark This OctoberCulture / Music & technology08Design in Use: A Shenzhen Lens for Family-Office Advisers Attending BODW 2026Design / Family-office advisers09Business of Design Week 2026: A Shenzhen Brief for Family-Office AdvisersDesign / Family-office advisers010Business of Design Week 2026: Take a Design Question to ShenzhenDesign / Investor perspectives011Shenzhen Live Music in October 2026: A Different Way Into the CityCulture / Live music012APEC CEO Summit 2026: What Should Your Team Look for in Shenzhen?APEC CEO Summit / Investor brief013Hong Kong FinTech Week: Give Your Shenzhen Visit an OwnerHong Kong FinTech Week / Executive brief014AVCJ & Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026: A Shenzhen Executive GuideExecutive guide / November 2026015Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026: Beyond the Demo in ShenzhenInvestors & robotics016Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026: Define Your Shenzhen BriefInvestors & planning017How to plan a Shenzhen company visit without starting with a logo listAccess & protocol018How to read a Shenzhen technology flagship like an operatorProducts & culture019How to read humanoid robotics beyond the demonstrationRobotics
Explore the Journal 11 — Useful answersBefore you choose your day
The essentials.
What are the four one-day programme prices?
One Company Tour starts at US$499 per person; Two Company Tours at US$799; Executive Access Day at US$1,250; Private Executive Programme at US$2,250. All four programmes are one day. Starting prices are USD per person for private groups of 2–4, with a two-guest minimum. Solo and larger-group briefs are quoted separately. Company tours do not include a VP-level meeting. Every visit and meeting requires individual host confirmation. Final scope, named host, format and fee are agreed in writing before payment. Transport, meals, hotels, admissions and extensions are quoted separately.
What exactly is Futurebound Private?
A Hong Kong–based private executive programme, beginning in Shenzhen. Eric X.D. Tan hosts premium visits built around an individually approved company or industry conversation, with city and cultural context. This is not a group tour, paid-access marketplace or supplier-sourcing service.
Who is the premium programme designed for?
Founders, investors, principals and senior leaders with a defined China question. Advisers, chambers and delegation organisers can commission a programme for a suitable client or group.
Where is Futurebound based?
Based in Hong Kong. Shenzhen programmes are joined by Shanghai briefs on request. Shanghai hosting, dates, company visits and price are confirmed individually.
What does the $249-per-person City Edit include?
Three private hours at US$249 per person for 1–8 guests. The route can include public Xiaomi and Huawei retail plus selected cultural stops. Meals, transport, purchases and admissions are extra. No company office visit is included.
When do I pay for a premium programme?
After a brief and host-approved access, you receive the scope and final fee in writing. Approve it before paying via private Stripe link or invoice. The fee covers preparation, design and hosting; it does not buy company access.
Which companies can we explore?
Eric has contacts at Tencent Games, Tencent Music Entertainment, UBTECH Robotics and BYD. DJI, ByteDance, Alibaba, Baidu and others can be explored by brief. Contacts do not guarantee a visit; every host approves individually.
Is my selected date immediately confirmed?
City Edit checkout submits a date request. The host confirms by email. If unavailable, choose another date or a full refund. Premium programmes are confirmed before payment. October 4–8, 2026 is unavailable.
Can we add food, driverless rides or a spa?
Dining, evening extensions and wellness can be quoted separately. Driverless rides and drone delivery depend on routes, weather, service and visitor registration. A three-hour City Edit cannot cover every stop.
How much notice should I give?
Allow at least 3–4 weeks for one company request; 8–16 weeks for complex or multi-city programmes. Short-notice briefs can be assessed. Access is never implied before host approval.
Can Futurebound support a chamber or multilingual delegation?
Yes. Programmes are built around a shared sector or market question. Eric works in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Other languages require an agreed interpreter, scoped separately. Company conversations remain subject to fit, timing and host approval.
Futurebound Private
Start with the brief.
Tell Eric what you want to understand. Dates and guest details can follow.
Discuss a private briefPrefer to write directly? Email Eric.
No payment is requested until access, scope and the final fee have been confirmed and approved in writing.