The Grand Union of Innovation (GUi), an innovation hub based in Hefei in East China’s Anhui province, has grown into a venue where global tech talent “go with a dream” for startups and entrepreneurship after four years of growth.
In June 2022, the city of Hefei unveiled its ambitious project to build the GUi, aiming to create a vibrant hub for scientific innovation and entrepreneurship.
Four years on, this vision has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem, attracting over 8,000 talented individuals and hosting more than 7,300 companies. The city has committed a 30 billion yuan ($4.4 billion) fund to guide innovation and fuel the dreams of numerous innovators.
This May, the 2026 Global Tech Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was launched.
This unique competition, the first of its kind globally, targets tech talent seeking new opportunities and offers full support through GUi’s technology management offices throughout the entire entrepreneurship process, highlighting the innovation hub's comprehensive support for participants.
Running until September, the competition spans three primary tracks: leading industries, emerging industries, and future industries. With a focus on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, quantum technology, and brain-computer interfaces, it promises a 100 million yuan fund to support outstanding projects.
Over the past four years, the GUi has recruited over 100 global partners and connected with more than 600 universities and alumni organizations worldwide. Innovation centers have been established in key locations, including Silicon Valley in the United States, Tokyo in Japan, and Cambridge in the United Kingdom, with its resource network extending to 48 cities across 26 countries and regions.
Currently, a 600,000-square-meter GUi technological incubation park, also dubbed the “Tech Talent Community” is under construction, embodying the design philosophy of "innovation upstairs, entrepreneurship downstairs, and life around the corner". This integrated community reflects GUi's commitment to nurturing both professional and personal development.
As GUi continues to break down barriers in technology transfer and commercialization, it stands as a beacon for global talent, inviting dreamers to bring their ideas to life in Hefei. With the motto "Dreams know no bounds, Hefei provides the GUi stage", the GUi promises a supportive environment for global talent to grow, unite, and innovate.
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