Hefei, a thriving hub of technological innovation in East China's Anhui province, is redefining the landscape of entrepreneurship in China with a nurturing environment for tech talent.
At the core of this transformation is the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and its affiliation with the Grand Union of Innovation (GUi), which has become a magnet for tech entrepreneurs.
Yang Weiran, a USTC alumna, exemplifies this trend. She left Hefei after graduating from the USTC in 2005, a year when Hefei's economic output had just surpassed the 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) threshold, ranking 75th among cities nationwide. However, when she returned with a project this year, Hefei's GDP had exceeded 1 trillion yuan, its permanent population had surpassed 10 million, and the city had risen to the 18th place in the national rankings.
The city's commitment to industrialization through innovation has fostered a robust ecosystem where tech talent not only are attracted but also stay there for long-term development.
In 1999, Liu Qingfeng, who completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies at USTC, founded iFlytek in Hefei. His company has grown into a global leader in AI-powered communication.
Hefei continues to enhance the investment system for State-owned capital in scientific and technological innovation, building an ecosystem of patient capital. The GUi Guidance Fund is an example of this effort — it has expanded to 30 billion yuan and, together with its partner sub-funds, adheres to the principles of investing in early, small, technological, and long-term projects.
In addition, there is a rapidly growing group known as technology managers in Hefei. Among them, the GUi Technology Managers Office is the first partnership-based technology management platform in China to operate in a tangible, market-oriented model. Hefei has also introduced the "Tech Talent Community" initiative to create a conducive environment for sci-tech professionals from around the world to "follow the dream" of entrepreneurship in the city.
These efforts ensure that innovators like Wang Ningning, who decided to settle in Hefei after witnessing its thriving ecosystem, have the resources and support needed to succeed.
The 2026 Global Tech Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, organized by GUi, showcased how Hefei's unique blend of active venture capital and patient nurturing of hard technology is creating a fertile ground for innovation.
The Semifinals of the 2026 Global Tech Talent Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition, organized by GUi, takes place.
By leveraging the "654X" industrial framework, which emphasizes strengthening leading industries, innovation in emerging industries, and fostering the growth of future industries, Hefei is not just building industries but creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives. The city's approach stands as a model for other cities aspiring to become innovation hubs.
Scan the QR code to follow us on WeChat