Nanjing: Building an innovation-driven city

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

The government announced in 2016 the “Nanjing Entrepreneurship Plan” to build an economy based on innovation and service industry, featuring openness and environmental friendliness. It plays a pivotal role in the region and the nation as a whole. The plan aims to attract 100 leading technology experts and 3,000 high-end entrepreneurial talents, nurture 200 innovative entrepreneurs,  and coach 20,000 college students in their start-up programs. It will thus build an innovation incubator cluster with distinctive advantages and far-reaching global impact.

This plan is not the first of the kind in Nanjing. On April 25, 2016, the “Nanjing Overseas Chinese Professionals Start-up Contest” Final was launched at Nanjing’s International Conference Center. It was sponsored by the municipal government’s talent recruitment office with support from several associations and institutions which aim to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Visitors experience laser printing in Nanjing Institute of Advanced Laser Technology.

Four sessions of the contest have already been held to inspire enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and attract high-caliber overseas talents and programs to Nanjing. This year, four competitions have convened respectively in Munich, Germany, Silicon Valley, the U.S., Melbourne, Australia, and Hangzhou, China. The 2016 contest has attracted 258 global experts and overseas students, among whom 26 participants stood out in a showdown.

The final contest was divided into two parts. In the first half, participants in 13 categories performed a road show of applications of such technologies as virtual reality, wearable monitoring equipment, iCloud storage, big data in the architectural industry, and rehabilitation robots. In the second half, road shows included 3D printing, air purifying nano materials, food preservation, Internet-based intelligent retails, and other forefront areas.

Liu Yongjian from the United States introduced his virtual fitting software program, by which customers can easily view themselves in every try-on item from hats to glasses, earrings, necklaces and ties. 

“The idea originated from one of my experiences several years ago when I bought a pair of glasses online but could not try them on,” Liu Yongjian said. His invention could accurately grasp 65 features on people’s faces and perfectly showcase the effect of wearing 14 types of products above the shoulders. Now both Chinese and American customers are demonstrating an interest in this technology.

Shen Yinlong further indicated that Nanjing Development Zone is concentrating on establishing Peking University’s Institute of Innovation in Nanjing. A growing number of talents are gathering there from over 20 colleges, universities and research institutions. This helps Nanjing rank among the top three cities in China in terms of scientific and educational resources.