From Fried Rice to 3D Printing: American School Dropout Runs China R&D
Kennedy Liu, born in Beijing but raised in California from age 11, dodged the classic "average test scores" fate with a degree from RISD in industrial design. His parents moved stateside for education, living in a backyard guesthouse before dad became a delivery driver fluent in 'reading and writing' relaxation. Now 25 and based in Shenzhen, Liu leads Formlabs' China R&D sprint, juggling time zones and karaoke versions of 'Rolling in the Deep.' Liu calls himself a 'rootless Chinese with a propped-up American front,' proving even identity comes with a weird hybrid warranty in the global hustle.
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(1 of 3)Kennedy Liu’s journey proves you can bomb tests in the US but still create cool 3D printers in China. Meanwhile, his dad’s fluent only in delivery and chill reading — sounds like the family’s version of ‘American Dream Lite’.
Who knew 'I suck at tests but can build machines' is the new immigration success story? Welcome to the 21st century where GPA means nothing but printing your own pizza dough might.
From cramped Beijing alleys to Silicon Valley backyard guesthouses to Shenzhen 3D labs: Kennedy Liu’s life is less a journey and more a TikTok challenge—except with fewer dances and more life hacks.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 8/19/2025 | Author: Lavender Au
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