GUi rises as hub for innovation, entrepreneurship

The Grand Union of Innovation (GUi) in Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, has rapidly risen as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, dedicated to tackling the challenge of transforming scientific research into a factor for economic growth.

Since its inception two years ago, the initiative has fostered an environment where over 1,391 innovative enterprises have been established, supported by more than 200 funds totaling over 230 billion yuan ($31.68 billion).

Drawing on the strengths of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), GUi has created a sound and vibrant ecosystem that attracts researchers and entrepreneurs worldwide. This thriving hub is becoming known as a permanent settlement for sci-tech talent and a fertile ground for startups.

One notable story is Xu Weiwei, who left Silicon Valley in the United States to co-found Chenling Microelectronics in GUi. His company has quickly gained recognition in high-performance power management chip development, securing multiple patents and winning the top prize at the 2023 China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition's Anhui division.

In the view of Xu, a seasoned industry expert, China offers limitless opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship and a vast market. Anhui, in addition, provides all-around support policies for attracting overseas talent with GUi nuturing a prime environment for innovation and starting business. This has attracted him to resettle his family across the ocean in GUi to pursue his dreams.

Anhui's comprehensive overseas talent attraction policies, combined with GUi's robust innovation ecosystem as well as its growing overseas centers, make it an ideal destination for talent from any place. GUi, to Anhui province, is an essential tool to convert technological innovation into industrial momentum, with extra tasks including building a modern industrial system centered on advanced manufacturing.

GUi aims to be a lab for science and technology system reforms and soil for high-tech enterprise growth. It has significantly bolstered Hefei's innovation strength, with substantial increases in the quantity of high-tech enterprises and technology-based SMEs.

In just two years, GUi has proven itself as a place where scientific dreams become entrepreneurial realities, solidifying its reputation as a leading hub for innovation and growth.