Maria Laura walks with an exoskeleton device developed by Technik at the Canton Fair. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

A touching moment at the just concluded Canton Fair in Guangzhou recently drew global attention: Maria Laura, a visitor from Argentina battling muscular dystrophy, stood up and walked again with the help of an exoskeleton robot developed by Hangzhou-based Technik Technology Co.

Behind the viral moment was years of support from Hangzhou Financing Guarantee Group, which backed the startup when its future was still uncertain.

Founded in 2020 by German-educated entrepreneur Liang Linchao, Technik focuses on exoskeleton robotics. Like many deep-tech startups, the company faced early challenges in commercialization, market validation and financing.

In 2023, when traditional lenders remained cautious, Hangzhou Financing Guarantee Group stepped in with the company's first guaranteed loan worth 1 million yuan ($147,047). Instead of relying only on financial data, the State-backed guarantor evaluated the startup based on industry potential, the founding team and technological barriers.

As the company grew, support continued. The guarantee amount increased to 2 million yuan in 2024 and 3 million yuan in 2025, alongside upgraded financing programs and fee exemptions after the startup won a local innovation award.

The Canton Fair appearance turned Technik into an overnight sensation. Videos of Maria using the exoskeleton spread online, drawing attention from media outlets, overseas buyers and investors.

Hangzhou Financing Guarantee Group said the goal of government-backed financing is not short-term hype, but long-term support for hard-tech innovation.

By the end of the first quarter of 2026, the group's outstanding technology-related guarantee business had approached 10 billion yuan, accounting for more than 40 percent of its direct guarantee portfolio.

An exoskeleton device developed by Technik. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]