Designer, city builder, bridge between worlds

Hi there, lovely to meet you. I'm a designer turned founder based mostly in New York, building at the intersection of cities, technology, and culture.

Most recently, I co-founded a digital special economic zone in Africa, where we raised $100M to build a mini city district in Nigeria. Previously, I founded a social project and brought together thousands of strangers over tea.

Nowadays, I spend a lot of time in China, studying how cities like Shenzhen come to life. If you're curious about China, I like inviting friends on curated business tours. If you're interested, fill out this form :)

On weekends, you'll find me traversing different neighborhoods on bikes or public transit, staring at beautiful architecture and thinking about how our built environment shapes who we become — I write about them here.

New York Shenzhen San Francisco Beijing Lagos
Coco Liu at conference
"You don't bullshit. You're worldly—have moved around and seen things. When I pitched you this weird idea you were open to it. You do things you say you will do."
CH
Cam Houser Founder @ Actionworks

What I'm doing now

Bridging East & West

I'm writing stories in effort to bridge the East (China specifically) and West with my friend Cam. The way we think, is different: from unapologetically copying the rest of the world to a spirit of ruthless efficiency. China and the US are like my mom and dad. I want to tell this story.

Business tour to China

Running immersive business tours for VCs, founders, and operators who want to understand China beyond the headlines. Factory visits, investor dinners, and real conversations with local builders.

Interested? Fill out this form

Writing about future of cities

I have a niche passion in city development: special economic zones, economic policies that enable business growth, architecture & urban planning. I write about them as a way to learn in public.

Read on Substack

A memoir on love

Well this is different, but I tend to blend the personal and professional. Writing a memoir is a side project I cannot ignore. I think one can bring agency to dating, such as writing a dating manifesto.

Unstoppable Africa - Global Africa Business Initiative Smart Cities Summit panel discussion Dinner event in Lagos Columbia Africa Conference Team in Nigeria

I write to make sense of the world

Read all on Substack

Areas of expertise

China Strategy & Cultural Bridge

Guidance for companies navigating Chinese markets or building cross-cultural products. Deep understanding of how things work on both sides.

Market Entry Cultural Positioning Ecosystem Navigation

Product Design & Pitch Decks

UX/UI design for products that need to work across cultures. Also: pitch decks that have helped raise $100M+ for city projects and Africa-focused investment funds.

UX/UI Pitch Decks Fundraising Materials

Urban & City Building

Advisory on special economic zones, smart cities, and urban development projects. Built one in Lagos, studying another in Shenzhen.

SEZ Strategy Urban Planning Real Estate Tech

Speaking & Workshops

Keynotes on building between cultures, the future of cities, and designing for emerging markets. Recent: Smart Cities Summit, Columbia Africa Conference.

Keynotes Panels Team Workshops

Free 30-minute consulting call

Offering free 30-min consulting call on design, pitch deck feedback, and China.

  • Design help regarding product/UX/UI
  • Pitch deck feedback
  • Insights to how Chinese think, and what's actually happening in China

Reach me via cococoliu@gmail.com