Alibaba’s Maker Festival is back for its 7th edition this August. Inaugurated in 2016, the festival has grown to become one of Asia’s largest annual events championing and celebrating youth creativity.
It is an occasion that spotlights the fruits of ingenious entrepreneurs as well as offers inspirations for the future of innovation.
Maker Festival 2022, held in Guangzhou of China’s Guangdong Province, has expanded into a combination of an innovation and entrepreneurship forum and a showcase of innovative products. The product exhibition this year, themed “The Future Land,” takes inspiration from the sci-fi concept of futuristic camping. Visitors will be immersed in a specially-built panoramic campsite design, whilst getting a close-up look at the novel creations of over 100 Makers.
To many, the Maker Festival is a window on the latest in China’s consumer market and entrepreneurialism. Here is a look at some of the trendsetting products spotlighted this year, which reflect key themes such as pet pampering, the outdoors, sustainable living, and a love for living in the moment.
Chongker – Bringing Handmade Stuffed Animals to Life
Want a pet, but are confined by space, time and other restrictions? Chongker is now making it possible for pet lovers to own customized life-like animals, without the responsibilities that come with it! Having launched its first stores on Taobao in May 2020, Chongker specializes in customizing realistic toy pets. Its team of craftsmen are masters at replicating the demeanor and expressions of real-life pets in their handmade stuffed animals.
Chongker incorporates special learning technology into its creations that enable them to simulate animal behavior and interact with people. In April 2022, Chongker set up a Tmall store offering ready-made products, while maintaining its customization services on Taobao. In 2021, the company sold more than 20,000 handmade stuffed animals, of which 18% were customized.
AOWUSHOP – All-Weather Outdoor Pet Jackets
Taking your pets for an outing is (almost) always a fun time, but it can be tricky to find the perfect outdoor gear for your furry friend. Introducing AOWUSHOP’s all-weather outdoor pet jacket, which is reflective, hard-wearing, and fit for all weather. The ultra-durable design allows your pet to run, roll and play to their heart’s content when they are out in nature.
The series was born out of the founder’s love the outdoors and her personal experience as a pet owner. As a former finance industry HR executive who moved to a nature-rich city with her five dogs and a cat, Yang Lin noticed a gap in the market for pet travel products. The new range caters to pet owners wanting a scientific approach to caring for their furry kids. The jacket’s design is backed by the team’s detailed research into factors such as pet comfort, fabric safety and function, and the needs of pet owners.
SENSH – Desktop Garden & Intelligent Planter
For urbanites, living in a concrete jungle can be stifling. Many city dwellers have been rediscovering their green fingers by cultivating indoor gardens. This has led to the rising popularity of SENSH products, such as the brand’s multi-level Intelligent Planter and its compact and aesthetic Desktop Garden. As urban farmers, all you need is a bit of vertical space and you can let technology do the rest. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy a farm-to-table experience with fresh produce from your very own “backyard” garden.
SENSH’s founder was inspired by his time as a student in the UK and his visits to Japan, Taiwan and the Netherlands, where he was impressed by the modern agricultural equipment being used. After returning to mainland China, he set up a tech company with a mission to modernize agriculture through R&D and innovation. In 2021, he started SENSH and created the brand’s Taobao store, offering compact, aesthetic indoor planting solutions aimed at infusing greenery and pastoral charm into domestic life in the city.
Meijian – Green Plum Wine for “Spray-Drinkers”
Want a sip of your favorite tipple anywhere, any time? Then Meijian’s latest creation might be right up your alley. Their green plum wine is the perfect refreshment on a hot summer’s day – just whip out the “drink” and indulge yourself with a thirst-quenching spray. Doesn’t that sound great? Meijian is a leader in China’s low-alcohol wine industry, fusing the country’s traditional plum wine culture with modern wine-making technology. With pleasant flavors and a brand image that appeals to young consumers, Meijian is reshaping the F&B scene and carving a new niche for itself.
SLOWOW – 100% Biodegradable Camping Lights
In recent years, camping has attracted a new following among younger people keen to explore more options and broaden their lifestyles. Camping product specialist SLOWOW sees camping as more than just a fad; it reflects an attitude to life: “Live slow, create wow.” An original creation by the brand, these vintage-style camping lights are 3D-printed and made of PLA – a new biodegradable material containing starch extracted from renewable plant resources, such as corn. Bringing biodegradable lights on a camping trip – the perfect definition of “being at one with nature”.
A seasoned product manager, SLOWOW founder Zhao Hanqing leads a team of professionals with years of experience in the Internet industry. The company launched its Taobao store in 2021.
To keep yourself updated about Maker Festival 2022, visit the media resources page on AlibabaNews Thai.
