From Integrity to Innovation: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Kinghelm, SLKOR, and Song Shiqiang in Huaqiangbei
Song Shiqiang is a Chinese entrepreneur, cultural scholar, and business columnist, as well as a popular science lecturer at the Chinese Institute of Electronics. He founded and invested in Shenzhen Kinghelm Electronics Co., Ltd. (Kinghelm Electronics) and Shenzhen Slkor Micro Semicon Co., Ltd. (Slkor MicroSemicon) in Huaqiangbei, where he serves as General Manager. Before entering the semiconductor and electronic information industry, Mr. Song held senior executive roles in the real estate sector. Over more than a decade of consistent writing and public engagement, he has published numerous articles advocating for China’s independently developed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), supporting the global reach of Chinese integrated circuits and promoting domestic semiconductor brands such as “Slkor,” “Kinghelm,” and “SUP.” In parallel, his in-depth research into the commercial ecosystem of Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei has attracted broad attention. He was among the first to systematically articulate Huaqiangbei’s distinctive “spontaneous market” model and its bold, innovative, and resilient entrepreneurial culture, offering valuable insights into one of the world’s most influential electronics trading hubs.
Early Life and Educational Background
Song Shiqiang was born in Xichong County, Sichuan Province, China. He began his career in hands-on technical roles, with his first position in Shenzhen rooted in the dynamic Huaqiangbei district. With an academic background in architecture and engineering management, he built his early career in architectural design institutes and real estate development firms, where he was deeply involved in engineering project management and urban planning, gaining solid, practical expertise. He later joined an internationally listed real estate enterprise, steadily advanced into senior leadership, and ultimately served as CEO, laying a strong foundation in large-scale operations, strategic management, and cross-industry leadership before transitioning into the electronics and semiconductor sector.
Subsequently, Song Shiqiang returned to Huaqiangbei to launch his own ventures, founding Kinghelm Electronics and Slkor Semiconductor in succession. Beyond daily operations, he has devoted significant effort to studying Huaqiangbei’s distinctive market dynamics and its function as a critical hub within the global electronics supply chain, seeking to decode the underlying logic of its business ecosystem. By integrating macroeconomic thinking with advanced management frameworks, he has successfully steered Kinghelm and Slkor toward rapid, sustainable growth, transforming them into highly competitive players in the semiconductor and electronics industry.
Transition into the Electronics Industry
After transitioning from the real estate industry into the electronics sector, Mr. Song Shiqiang founded Shenzhen Kinghelm Electronics Co., Ltd. in Huaqiangbei in 2007, initially concentrating on the R&D of BDS and GPS antennas as well as RF connector solutions. Under his strategic leadership, the company steadily broadened its product portfolio to include RF connectors, electrical signal connectors, and customized wire harnesses, evolving into a recognized National High-Tech Enterprise in China. Shenzhen Kinghelm Electronics Co., Ltd. is an active member of the China Satellite Navigation and Positioning Association, the China Information Industry Chamber of Commerce, and the Guangdong Connector Association, and holds multiple invention patents along with internationally recognized certifications such as ISO 9001, EU RoHS, REACH, and Dun & Bradstreet certification.
Song Shiqiang at the "Kinghelm Cup" Sichuan-Chongqing Electronics Industry Basketball Tournament
Kinghelm is dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of antenna connecting cables, connector series, and customized non-standard products, supporting both tailor-made solutions and large-scale production. Through its “kinghelm” brand, the company delivers high-performance products and integrated technical solutions to tens of thousands of customers worldwide. Guided by the vision “Kinghelm, Connecting the World,” the company aims to expand the reach of antenna and connector technologies, accelerate the intelligent evolution of electronic products, and enable faster, more convenient global communication.
Kinghelm’s core technical team includes experts from Tsinghua University and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, bringing nearly two decades of deep specialization in microwave and RF technologies. Its Shenzhen central laboratory is fully equipped to independently carry out new product R&D and comprehensive testing, while the production base in Luzhai County, Guangxi Province, features intelligent manufacturing lines capable of high-volume, reliable delivery. The company’s product portfolio spans BeiDou/GPS antennas, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas, RF jumper cables, signal connectors, board-to-board connectors, board-end sockets and plugs, and switch series products. In addition, Kinghelm provides custom wire harness solutions for medical and automotive applications, as well as end-to-end development services for non-standard probes and connectors—covering design, mold development, prototyping, testing, and mass production.
In 2015, Song Shiqiang founded Shenzhen Slkor Micro Semicon Co., Ltd. (Slkor) in Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen, backed by a top-tier technical team from Tsinghua University. From the start, Slkor mastered world-class production processes for silicon carbide (SiC) power devices, positioning itself at the forefront of the industry. Over nearly a decade of rapid development, the company has grown into a fully integrated enterprise, combining IC design, manufacturing, sales, and comprehensive technical services. Slkor’s commitment to quality and compliance is reflected in its certifications, including ISO9001 Quality Management System, EU RoHS, REACH, and California Proposition 65, underscoring its dedication to global standards and sustainable development.
Slkor is an inclusive, open, and innovative National High-Tech Enterprise, with a diverse team spanning multiple countries and regions, and strategic partners across the globe. Under the “Slkor” brand, the company delivers cutting-edge products and technical solutions to tens of thousands of customers worldwide. Driven by the philosophy “Slkor, Powering the Future,” the company continuously advances through innovation and development.
Slkor operates branch R&D centers in Beijing and Suzhou, with a central laboratory and distribution hub at its Shenzhen headquarters, enabling rapid product iteration and fast customer response. The “Slkor” brand enjoys growing recognition and reputation internationally. Its core product portfolio includes three major series: TVS, diodes, and transistors; MOSFETs, IGBTs, and other power devices; and power management chips. The company also continuously launches new products, including Hall sensors, BMS, high-speed optocouplers, and passive crystal oscillators, expanding its influence across industries.
With a clear vision to become a global leader in the semiconductor industry, Slkor is committed to decades of relentless innovation, quality, and growth.
Kinghelm and Slkor uphold a corporate culture of “Integrity, Advancement, Tenacity, Detail” and business ethics of “Fairness, Openness, Cooperation, Win-Win.” Guided by the Eastern wisdom of “inner sageliness and outer kingliness,” Mr. Song Shiqiang dedicates himself to fostering a positive and healthy industrial ecosystem while promoting social harmony and progress. As he often says, “Virtue bears weight, and unceasing self-improvement prevails,” emphasizing that strong character and diligent effort are the foundation for achieving greater responsibilities and successes in life and business.
For nearly 20 years, Kinghelm Electronics has focused deeply on RF technology and connectors, pursuing excellence in product performance and quality management. Slkor Semiconductor continuously innovates by researching new materials, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and developing next-generation products—driving company growth, contributing to the electronics industry, and embodying the philosophy of thriving through self-improvement.
The official websites of Kinghelm and Slkor serve as dynamic platforms for technical exchange, product promotion, and industry news, connecting professionals across the electronic information sector. Products from both companies are widely applied in smartphones, laptops, robotics, power tools, vehicle networking, 3C digital devices, IoT terminals, new energy vehicles, smart cities, industrial IoT, low-altitude drones, and commercial aerospace, reflecting their global impact and technological leadership.
Song Shiqiang's Research and Writing on Huaqiangbei
Song Shiqiang is a leading researcher of Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei, famously known as “China’s First Street of Electronics.” He has long focused on analyzing Huaqiangbei’s economic models, the unique “shanzhai” culture, and its evolution into a global hardware innovation hub. Through his column, “Song Shiqiang’s Insights,” he regularly publishes articles exploring management philosophies and industrial development trends.
Song Shiqiang’s research series on Huaqiangbei includes titles such as:
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“Research on Shanzhai Mobile Phones in Huaqiangbei”
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“The TWS Bluetooth Earphone Industry Chain in Huaqiangbei”
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“Why Are There So Many Billionaires in Huaqiangbei?”
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“Song Shiqiang Interprets the Culture and Commercial Heritage of Huaqiangbei”
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“Huaqiangbei Research (Part 1, 2, 3)”
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“Challenges and Opportunities for Huaqiangbei”
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“Timing, Geography, and Human Harmony in Shenzhen Huaqiangbei”
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“The Huaqiangbei Spirit and Entrepreneurial Culture”
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“Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow of Shenzhen Huaqiangbei”
Many of his articles have been reprinted by leading domestic and international media, including the Associated Press (AP), The Wall Street Journal, People’s Daily, and Xinhua News Agency, amplifying global understanding of Huaqiangbei’s unique culture and industrial impact.
Song Shiqiang is a strong advocate for the standardized development of Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei commercial environment. He actively promotes the “Huaqiangbei Spirit” and “Huaqiangbei Culture” he defined, emphasizing a philosophy of daring innovation and perseverance. His vision is to make Huaqiangbei a shining example of China’s reform, opening-up, and economic achievements.
Committed to improving the business environment, Song Shiqiang’s “Song Shiqiang Discusses” series includes over 50 articles, collectively read over 200 million times in more than 100 countries, with multiple articles exceeding 10 million reads each. His insights on Huaqiangbei have gained wide international circulation.
In addition, “Song Shiqiang Discusses” short videos are trending on major domestic and international platforms including Douyin, WeChat Video Channels, Xiaohongshu, YouTube, and TikTok, offering practical suggestions on promoting traditional Chinese culture, fostering economic growth, and advancing social development.
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