City of Hefei: Magnet for global tech talents

At Hefei Astra Optics Limited, based in the Grand Union of Innovation (GUi), CEO Fu Xinlei and his team are leading the efforts to industrialize femtosecond projection two-photon lithography printing technology.

This technology represents a breakthrough in nanoscale 3D printing compared to traditional point-scanning methods, enabling layer-by-layer fabrication that increases efficiency and cuts costs by 90 percent, all while preserving high resolution.

The groundbreaking discovery can benefit multiple fields, from biomedical sensors to automotive lidars.

After years of technical exploration in Hong Kong, Fu's team decided to establish in the GUi in August 2024, aiming to transition nanostructure technology from the laboratory to industrial use.

Talents like Fu, whether they are university researchers, returned overseas talents, or entrepreneurs, gather at the GUi to pursue the same innovation aspiration.

Since its founding, GUi has drawn more than 2,500 tech enterprises, including roughly 50 percent of Hefei's bio-manufacturing and aerospace information firms, and around 45 percent of AI companies, according to statistics.

However, for tech startups, raising funds can be difficult. As Fu states, Astra Optics secured its angel round of financing in October 2024, just two months after founding, with patient capital contributed by both the Hefei municipal government and the GUi.

Fu's experience exemplifies GUi's effort to build a comprehensive financial ecosystem. In recent years, GUi has helped set up more than 20 sub-funds and made equity investments in over 100 projects, enhancing financial backing for emerging tech companies.

In June, Lion Team at Tsinghua University announced that their intelligent flying car project would settle in Hefei, where they plan to establish its headquarters, a joint R&D center, and a production line.

"Hefei's advantages in talent pool and robust automotive industry supply chain are key factors drawing us to settle there," said Wu Quanquan, the project's industrial general manager.

The third-generation smart flying car, developed by Tsinghua Lion Team.

Wu's company was provided with matchmaking opportunities with at least two scenario application firms in Hefei to promote the adoption of mature technology, ensuring efficient links between the technology and the market.

Moreover, GUi has facilitated the development of a comprehensive service system for enterprises by implementing measures that support the transformation of technological achievements.

As of now, GUi has helped over 70,000 talents achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.