Christopher Praetzas, founder of CIT Automotive Technology, works with technicians. [Photo/People's Daily]

For German engineer Christopher Praetzas, moving to China in 2023 with his Chinese wife, Jiang Xiaohua, marked the beginning of an unexpected entrepreneurial journey.

A specialist in aero-engine development, the 38-year-old had spotted a gap in the booming new energy vehicle market. As electric vehicles advance in their technological complexity, he saw an opportunity to improve the response speed of air suspension systems, which can be slow to adjust after repeated changes in ride height.

Praetzas initially considered starting the business in Germany but found it difficult for a young company to break into the established automotive supply chains dominated by major manufacturers. His wife suggested looking to China instead.

After visiting several cities in the Yangtze River Delta, the couple chose Taicang, Jiangsu, home to more than 500 German-invested companies and a well-developed ecosystem for auto parts and precision manufacturing.

CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology was established on June 5, 2023. From company registration and financing to applying for government support, local authorities assigned staff to guide the startup through the process.

"They helped us take care of all the administrative work. That left me with one job: focusing on technology," Praetzas said.

The company has undergone rapid development. It built an integrated supply chain in less than six months and completed its first self-developed prototype within a year. Its technology uses a single pneumatic system for multiple applications, including air suspension, seat massage, side-bolster adjustment and oxygen concentrators, potentially reducing both system complexity and costs.

Breaking into the automotive supply chain, however, has proved more challenging. Seeking a breakthrough, Praetzas turned to the authorities of the Taicang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone. They soon connected his company with a new energy-heavy-truck manufacturer, and the two sides are now in talks about potential cooperation.

For Praetzas, the experience has demonstrated the value of Taicang's startup ecosystem. "The support from government departments isn't a one-off effort," he said. "It's long-term, end-to-end support that helps startups grow."