Ascend Capital Partners Bridges Europe and Asia: Luxembourg Delegation Visits Inceptio and Zelos
The Visit
In September 2026, Ascend Capital Partners facilitated and accompanied visits by H.E. Lex Delles, Luxembourg’s Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, and a Luxembourg government and business delegation to two leading Chinese autonomous-driving companies: Inceptio Technology and Zelos.
Inceptio’s autonomous trucking system has surpassed one billion kilometres of commercial operations. According to the company, it holds more than 90% of China’s autonomous-trucking market and serves customers including JD Logistics and Nestlé.
Zelos, an L4 autonomous-delivery company valued at more than RMB 10 billion, operates a combined fleet of over 20,000 vehicles across more than 300 cities in China, alongside a growing international presence.
The visits brought both companies into direct dialogue with Luxembourg’s government and business leaders, opening discussions on European market entry, commercial partnerships and potential deployment. Ascend Capital Partners CEO Jerry Hong accompanied both engagements.
Signing ceremony between Inceptio Technology and Arthur Welter Transports, witnessed by Luxembourg’s Minister of the Economy, Lex Delles, and other guests from China and Luxembourg.
Inceptio × Arthur Welter Transports
A key outcome was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Inceptio and Luxembourg logistics company Arthur Welter Transports on September 23, following the delegation’s tour of Inceptio’s Shanghai headquarters.
The MoU sets out plans to explore the testing and potential deployment of autonomous freight solutions in Luxembourg and neighbouring European markets. The signing was witnessed by Minister Delles, Gu Chunting of CCPIT Shanghai, Fernand Ernster of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, and Inceptio founder and CEO Julian Ma.
The agreement provides a starting point for exploring how Inceptio’s autonomous-trucking technology could serve European freight operations alongside an established local logistics partner.
Group photo during the visit of the Luxembourg government and business delegation to Inceptio Technology, accompanied by Jerry Hong, CEO of Ascend Capital Partners (second from left).
Zelos × Luxembourg
On September 22, Minister Delles led the delegation to Zelos’ Suzhou headquarters, where members viewed a live autonomous-vehicle demonstration and met with CEO Kong Qi.
Discussions focused on autonomous logistics, potential innovation projects and future applications in Luxembourg, as well as opportunities to support Zelos’ European expansion.
For Zelos, the engagement opened a dialogue with potential European partners. For the Luxembourg delegation, it offered first-hand exposure to autonomous-delivery technology operating at scale in China.
Group photo during the Luxembourg delegation’s visit to Zelos Technology’s Suzhou headquarters, accompanied by Jerry Hong, CEO of Ascend Capital Partners (far right).
Connecting Technology, Partners and Markets
For autonomous-mobility companies, international expansion takes more than a strong product. It requires local operating opportunities, regulatory understanding and partners who can help turn ambition into commercial progress.
Luxembourg offers a platform for this engagement through its role as a European logistics hub and its connections to cross-border markets, industry partners and institutions.
Ascend helps build these connections. Working across Chinese and European technology ecosystems, we bring founders, industrial partners and institutional leaders together to explore practical pathways into new markets.
The Inceptio and Zelos visits illustrate that role, from introducing companies to European decision-makers to supporting dialogue around potential testing, deployment and commercial cooperation. The next step is to translate these relationships into pilots and lasting partnerships.
Global expansion takes more than technology and capital. It takes trusted relationships, local partners and a clear path to market.
About Ascend Capital Partners
Founded in 2002, Ascend Capital Partners is a global venture capital firm investing in early-stage deep technology companies across Europe and Asia, with a focus on mobility, intelligence and medical technology.
With a team spanning Luxembourg, New York, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, Ascend bridges European and Asian technology ecosystems, supporting founders through international expansion, strategic partnerships and commercial development. Its approach extends beyond capital: connecting people, technology and industry across regions to help companies scale globally.