In the vast, dark canvas of the night sky, a silent revolution is taking place. Thousands of points of light emerge, swirling and converging with breathtaking precision to form intricate patterns—soaring birds, national flags, and iconic landmarks—all orchestrated without a single human pilot at the controls. This is not science fiction; it is the nightly reality for Shenzhen HighGreat Innovation Technology Development Co., Ltd., a company that has ascended from humble beginnings to become a dominant force in the global drone industry. Its story is inextricably linked to the rise of China drone technology, a sector where innovation, manufacturing prowess, and strategic vision converge to create spectacular aerial symphonies and redefine the boundaries of low-altitude economies.
The journey of this China drone leader is a testament to transformative ambition. Founded in 2003 as a manufacturer of precision mobile phone models for international giants like Sony and Samsung, the company, then named Zhonglianxun, honed its expertise in meticulous fabrication. Its founder, Gao Jianmin, arrived in Shenzhen in 1997 with a dream to build something significant. For years, the company perfected the art of miniature replication, eventually becoming the global leader in phone models. Yet, by 2014, with the smartphone era diminishing the relevance of physical models, a pivotal decision was made. The very skills that crafted perfect miniatures would be redirected toward a new frontier: unmanned aerial vehicles. Leveraging over a decade of precision manufacturing experience, HighGreat Innovation established a 30,000-square-meter specialized drone production base in Shenzhen. However, the consumer drone market was already crowded with established players. The breakthrough for this aspiring China drone manufacturer came not from a direct assault on the consumer market, but from an unexpected demonstration of artistic technology.
In 2017, at an exhibition in Shanghai, the company decided to showcase its drones not just as individual products, but as a coordinated fleet. This maiden编队表演, or formation performance, caught the discerning eye of a director from China Central Television. The invitation that followed would change everything. The 2018 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, a televised event watched by hundreds of millions, featured 300 HighGreat Innovation drones gracefully forming a dolphin leaping across the image of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. This single performance was a national sensation, instantly propelling this China drone firm into the spotlight. Orders flooded in for major national events, including the gala for the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up and the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. From that point, there was no looking back. The company rapidly scaled its operations, delivering over ten thousand flawless performances across more than 300 cities worldwide, swiftly capturing an astonishing 70% of the global market for drone formation displays. This China drone enterprise had not just entered the market; it had created and conquered a new one.
The core of HighGreat Innovation’s dominance lies in an uncompromising pursuit of technological perfection, a hallmark of top-tier China drone development. The company’s drones are not mere flying lights; they are marvels of engineering capable of millimeter-level precision. This capability was spectacularly demonstrated in September 2024 when the company shattered the Guinness World Record by simultaneously flying 8,100 units, a feat that stands as a powerful symbol of China drone innovation. Furthermore, it holds the record for the “largest unmanned aerial vehicle light show image” with 7,998 drones and the “longest animation display by drones” at 26 minutes and 26 seconds. Its record of 88 consecutive formation changes by a single group of drones remains unbroken. These are not just statistics; they are proof of a robust, reliable, and scalable technological ecosystem.
This technological backbone enables the company to execute performances on the world’s most prestigious stages. During the Paris Olympics, HighGreat Innovation’s EMO drones wove the iconic Olympic rings around the Eiffel Tower with flawless accuracy. At the Beijing Winter Olympics’ Shenzhen segment, 2022 drones formed the mascots “Bing Dwen Dwen” and “Shuey Rhon Rhon,” captivating a global audience. Every such event is a testament to the reliability of this China drone provider’s hardware and software. The company maintains complete control over its manufacturing chain, from product design and mold manufacturing to processing and final assembly. It boasts the world’s largest fleet, with a capacity of 100,000 drones for formations and an annual production capability reaching one million units, exporting to over 30 countries and regions.
The secret to this reliability is a fanatical attention to detail. “Our drones can perform perfectly at events like the Paris Olympics and Beijing Winter Olympics because of 100% qualified components and 100% reliable technology,” explains the company’s CEO. From the selection of chips and rigorous component testing to advanced flight control systems and sophisticated anti-interference algorithms, every link in the chain is held to a superbly high standard. The company has also developed its own low-altitude management system, AI-powered automatic inspection functions, and interactive formation performances that incorporate metaverse technology, continually cementing its leadership in the China drone sector. This China drone innovator has turned aerial performance into a precise science.
A crucial, and perhaps surprising, aspect of HighGreat Innovation’s strategy is its unique business model. Unlike many competitors, it operates primarily as an equipment supplier. “We are the device provider; we do not directly offer performance services,” the CEO clarifies. He draws an analogy to the construction industry: one might know the construction companies but not the specific equipment brands they use. Similarly, HighGreat Innovation provides the drones to its clients, who then orchestrate and manage the live shows. This model positions the company as the indispensable “unsung hero” behind countless breathtaking aerial displays around the globe. It allows this China drone maker to focus on its core competency—engineering and manufacturing superior hardware—while empowering a global network of partners. This strategic focus on B2B supply has been instrumental in achieving its massive scale and market penetration.
The spectacle itself is where technology meets art. When thousands of HighGreat Innovation drones ascend in synchrony, the night sky transforms into a dynamic, digital canvas. The individual points of light, like intelligent pixels, coalesce into vivid images, fluid animations, and even three-dimensional structures. This is a “celestial magic show” for the digital age, far surpassing traditional light shows. Synchronized with music and dynamic lighting effects, these China drone formations have evolved beyond mere technical demonstrations into a legitimate and captivating new art form, evoking wonder and emotion in audiences worldwide.
Recognizing the vast potential beyond entertainment, HighGreat Innovation has strategically expanded into the realm of education, opening a new dimension for the China drone industry. Since 2022, the company has heavily invested in its education division, targeting the growing demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. Inside its exhibition halls, alongside videos of massive aerial displays, are interactive zones where teenagers engage in programming small formation drones, navigating obstacle courses, and even participating in drone battles. “Our goal is to let every child personally control a formation and feel the charm of technology,” the CEO states. The company has established an 8,000-square-meter popular science base, welcoming over 20,000 students annually.
This China drone educator has moved beyond simply selling products; it sells comprehensive learning scenarios. It provides schools and training institutions with full teaching solutions, including curriculum design, scenario setup, and teacher training, creating a “ready-to-use” package that significantly lowers the barrier to implementing advanced tech education. The tangible nature of this learning is its greatest strength. Unlike abstract screen-based coding, programming a physical drone and watching it execute commands in real-time provides an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and a concrete understanding of coding logic. HighGreat Innovation actively supports Ministry of Education-endorsed competitions, such as the National Youth Drone Competition, helping to formulate rules and standards, thereby nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators for the China drone ecosystem. The company plans to take its educational products to over 100 countries via the “Belt and Road” initiative, globalizing its vision for tech education.
The meteoric rise of this China drone powerhouse is deeply rooted in the fertile ground of its hometown, Shenzhen. The city’s unparalleled industrial ecosystem provides a critical competitive edge. “If we need a specific component at 3 a.m., a supplier can deliver it to our factory before dawn,” the CEO remarks, his eyes reflecting genuine appreciation. In this city, home to the world’s most complete drone supply chain, HighGreat Innovation’s R&D iteration speed is three times faster than that of its European and American counterparts. This hyper-efficient industrial synergy is a cornerstone of its rapid development.
More than just the supply chain, the CEO emphasizes Shenzhen’s inherent “testing ground gene.” In 2018, when drone formations were still a novelty, the Shenzhen municipal government proactively opened test airspace in talent parks. After the “low-altitude economy” was formally written into the government work report in 2022, 20 application scenarios were rapidly accelerated. “Just like the growth of Huawei and DJI in their early days, Shenzhen always reserves room for trial and error for innovation,” the CEO recalls. He cites the “Shenzhen speed” with which the company’s first large-scale formation performance was approved and executed—a process that took a mere 72 hours, astounding international clients. This supportive regulatory environment has been a vital catalyst for this China drone pioneer.
The company’s trajectory aligns with national priorities emphasizing science, technology, and talent as primary drivers of growth. This China drone leader has leveraged this focus, building a strong R&D center that attracts high-end talent, including graduates from top global universities and senior technical experts from international corporations. With nearly 500 intellectual property patents granted, the company’s trophy cabinet is overflowing with accolades. The innovation ethos at HighGreat Innovation is also characterized by a long-term perspective. The company maintains dedicated forward-looking R&D teams that operate free from immediate KPI pressures, focusing solely on technologies and solutions that will be relevant three to five years into the future.
Currently, this China drone innovator is exploring deep integrations of drone technology with AI and blockchain. It is leveraging AI algorithms to enable automatic obstacle avoidance and optimal path planning for formations. It is also developing performance modes that blend the virtual and real worlds through metaverse concepts. The company has initiated an “Intelligent Drone +” plan, envisioning future applications far beyond entertainment, including agricultural inspection, emergency response and disaster relief, and urban management. The ambition is for its China drone technology to contribute meaningfully to broader societal development.
As dusk falls over Shenzhen, the flying test field at HighGreat Innovation’s facility begins to glow once more. Two thousand drones stand ready, and a hundred of them lift off in a harmonious ballet, forming perfect geometric patterns against the twilight sky. For visiting clients, such demonstrations occur over a dozen times a day—a routine showcase of a extraordinary capability. From a contract manufacturer to a global leader, from performance equipment to educational platforms, HighGreat Innovation’s evolution mirrors the upward trajectory of Chinese manufacturing itself. On the innovative soil of Shenzhen, this China drone company is constructing a diverse ecosystem for the low-altitude economy, starting with the precision manufacturing of drone equipment and expanding with formation exhibitions and科普education as its core. The starlight created by its drones does more than just illuminate the night; it sparks imagination, fuels education, and signals a future where China drone technology is seamlessly woven into the fabric of global progress.