Hefei launches hub for tech talent

Hefei, the capital city of East China's Anhui province, saw multiple tech companies listed on the stock market in the first half of this year.

The strong results can be partially attributed to the city's "Tech Talent Community" initiative, which was introduced to create a conducive environment for sci-tech professionals from around the world to start companies in the city, observers said.

Since 2022, the Grand Union of Innovation (GUi), a key innovation hub in Hefei, has welcomed over 2,500 new tech companies and recognized more than 2,500 high-level talents, including over 60 national-level experts.

This burgeoning hub has served over 7,000 tech enterprises and innovation service institutions, attracting more than 70,000 entrepreneurial talents ranging from fresh graduates to seasoned scientists and serial entrepreneurs.

GUi's Core Area.

 In late 2024, the GUiTEK, a service platform for the innovation hub, launched the first group of the tech talent community in China, offering comprehensive support for entrepreneurs, including policy guidance, financing, legal and tax services, and industrial chain connections.

Under the Tech Talent Community initiative, a tiered entrepreneurial support system is offered to those looking to found startups in Hefei. The program begins with a 15-day free trial covering both accommodation and workspace, followed by a six-month incubation period with rent-free offices and housing. Entrepreneurs can access up to 300 square meters of rent-free office space for up to 12 months.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster innovation by reducing startup costs and providing a nurturing environment. Ten venues of the Tech Talent Community are operational across the city.

Entrepreneurs like Wang Lei, chairman of Deheng Intelligent, have praised the initiative for addressing concerns such as rent and resource allocation. "The tiered support mechanism is straightforward: it allows entrepreneurs to allocate their limited funds where they are truly needed," Wang said, "Here, we are not treated with empty promises; Hefei has addressed all of our concerns."

Another success story is about Fu Xinlei, who brought his team from Hong Kong to advance micro-nano manufacturing technology. With early investment from GUi, his company achieved breakthroughs, with its technology demonstrating promising prospects in biomedical sensors and automotive lidar sectors.

Hefei's innovation ecosystem is further supported by a 30-billion-yuan ($4.4 billion) guidance fund from the GUi, which is committed to investing in small and early-stage projects in cutting-edge and future industries.

The city is preparing to launch the 2026 Global Tech Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition with significant prizes and support for promising projects.