Team

Rui Ma

Founder, China Tech Analyst, Consulting Editor & Podcast Co-Host

Rui (pronounced “rey”) was born in China but grew up in the U.S., mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she is currently based. She has over fifteen years of experience in investment banking and investing, spanning seed stage to pre-IPO investing, and spent eight of those years working across multiple industries including real estate and media as well as technology in Shanghai and Beijing. She is currently an angel investor and advisor to several startups and funds. Rui is also active in philanthropy and currently runs Rookie.Fund, a nonprofit student venture fund network in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. She’s vegetarian and would like to be a Chinese calligrapher when she retires.

Employment

• Venture: 500 Startups, Investment Partner
• Private Equity: Raine Group
• Investment Banking (M&A): CITIC Securities, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch
• Consulting: Deloitte

Education

U.C. Berkeley B.S. EECSUniv. Illinois Urbana-Champaign M. Ed.Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBAHarvard University Extension School MLA in Psychology

Twitter – LinkedIn

Freya Zhang

Tour Lead, EV Research Analyst, Co-writer

Focus on: Freya is Tech Buzz China’s in-house EV specialist.

Freya has been a part of Tech Buzz China since 2021, where she focuses on the electric vehicle (EV) industry. She creates engaging content and leads investor tours, helping investors stay updated on the latest trends and opportunities in the fast-paced EV market.Before joining Tech Buzz China, Freya spent seven years in Beijing’s dynamic tech startup scene. She co-founded and led marketing for one of China’s top cooking and recipe apps. After studying in Australia, she decided to pursue her career in China’s tech scene and has now made her home in Germany.

Employment: Xiachufang

Education: University of Newcastle: Master of Marketing, MBA

LinkedIn

Ed Sander

China Tech Analyst, Main Writer

Focus on: Chinese internet companies, (cross-border) ecommerce, instant retail, apps, local services, live commerce, Bytedance/Douyin/TikTok, Alibaba, Meituan, Tencent, Pinduoduo/Temu, JD.com, Shein, Luckin Coffee.

Ed is co-owner of ChinaTalk.nl and owner of ChinaTechTrip. As a digital China tech analyst, independent writer, study tour leader and keynote speaker, Ed comments on developments in China in his publications and various media.

Ed lived in China from 2011 to 2013, volunteering as a marketing consultant in Chinese NGOs in the central city of Xi’an. He still spends several months in China each year.

Ed has published hundreds of articles about digital technology and developed a series of highly acclaimed study and inspiration tours for entrepreneurs and professionals. As a China tech researcher, Ed is regularly invited on radio and TV programs in Europe and comments on developments in international media.

Before focussing on China, Ed worked more than 20 years in database and online marketing for several multinational companies. He co-wrote the award-winning book Event Driven Marketing and the international follow-up Follow That Customer!

Employment: Database Marketing / CRM specialist: Digital Equipment, The Iams Company/Proctor & Gamble, Georgia Pacific, Organon, De Lage Landen, Walraven Sax, ITG Travel Companies.

Volunteering: Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Xi’an International Business Forum.

Writer, Public Speaker (ChinaTalk.nl), Study Tour Leader (ChinaTechTrip)

Education: Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Twitter – LinkedIn – Website

Rita Luan

Tech Research Analyst, Co-writer

Focus on: AI, autonomous driving, EVs, short dramas, cloud computing, robotics.

With over a decade of experience in corporate communications, Rita has honed her expertise in corporate communications, particularly within the technology sector.

Born and raised in Beijing, Rita completed her master’s degree in Mass Communications in Singapore and is currently based in Beijing.

Employment

Rita worked for Dell Technologies, where she led executive communications for the Greater China region. Rita has also held key roles at Thomson Reuters, KPMG China, and Cathay Pacific, with a focus on employee engagement, CSR initiatives, and public relation.

Education: Nanyang Technological University, Beijing Capital Normal University