Shiyun Technology, the Chinese company behind the AI video generation company HeyGen, plans to deregister its domestic company, attracting industry attention. This move is closely related to its recent acquisition of US$5.6 million in financing and the addition of Silicon Valley star investor Sarah Guo to the board of directors. HeyGen has focused on overseas markets since its establishment. Its founder graduated from a prestigious American school and is currently based in the United States. The company's choice of "de-China" strategy may be related to factors such as better access to overseas users and avoiding potential overseas government regulatory risks. Recently, HeyGen also launched a new feature that allows users to create AI avatars in 5 minutes through their mobile phone cameras, further improving the user experience.
Shiyun Technology, the domestic entity behind the AI video generation tool HeyGen, is planning to cancel its domestic company. Industry insiders analyze that this is inseparable from its recent US$5.6 million in financing. As part of the deal, HeyGen’s board of directors will be joined by Silicon Valley star investor Sarah Guo. HeyGen has taken the overseas route from the beginning. Its founders all graduated from prestigious American schools and currently reside in the United States. As an AI start-up company, common motivations for such overseas entities to de-China include: better access to overseas users, avoiding suppression by overseas governments, etc. In addition, HeyGen recently launched a new feature that allows users to create their own AI avatar in 5 minutes using their phone camera.
HeyGen’s move reflects the choices and challenges of some AI companies in their globalization strategies. Canceling domestic companies does not mean giving up the Chinese market, but focusing more on international development. This may be a trend in the development model of more AI companies in the future. The success of HeyGen will provide valuable experience and reference for other similar companies.