A view of Guiyang HIDZ. [Photo/WeChat Account of Guiyang HIDZ]
As the first national-level high-tech zone in Southwest China's Guizhou province, Guiyang National High-tech Industrial Development Zone (Guiyang HIDZ) in Guiyang has steadfastly adhered to an innovation-driven development strategy, striving to create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Comprehensive incubation chain gives rise to new tech firms
In recent years, Guiyang HIDZ has focused on the major industries of electronic information manufacturing, advanced equipment manufacturing, and new energy vehicles, alongside the software and information technology services sector.
By concentrating on three types of carriers – government-led, enterprise-led, and academic and research institution-led – Guiyang HIDZ has refined five supportive policies covering carriers, spaces, projects, finance, and atmosphere, thereby strengthening its incubation system for innovation and entrepreneurship.
"We offer free registration services for enterprises, low-rent office spaces, and shared facilities such as testing and inspection labs, pilot workshops, and exhibition centers," said a representative from Guiyang HIDZ's innovation and entrepreneurship service center.
"We also provide low-cost cloud storage, ERP management platforms, intellectual property trusteeship, cost control consulting, asset evaluation, financing services, and one-on-one mentorship and resource matching for startups," the representative added.
Thanks to these thoughtful services and supportive policies, Guiyang HIDZ now boasts 31 incubation carriers, including five national-level incubators, which account for 71 percent of the city's and 42 percent of the province's total.
To date, Guiyang HIDZ has incubated 2,803 enterprises, with 402 graduating from the incubation program. Several of these graduates have gone public or listed on the capital market, achieving rapid growth.
Guizhou Science City Incubator poised for growth
Guiyang HIDZ is home to Guizhou Science City, a hub integrating technology R&D, talent services, and entrepreneurial incubation.
In 2023, Guizhou Science City was approved as a national-level science and technology enterprise incubator and recognized as a provincial exemplary incubator.
The core area of Guizhou Science City hosts 91 R&D institutions and tech enterprises, including six national key laboratories and research centers, 22 high-tech enterprises from research institutions, one technologically-advanced enterprise, and two enterprises listed in Guizhou province's pre-listing resource pool.
Leveraging the achievements of 16 affiliated research institutions within the Guizhou Science City transformation base, Guiyang HIDZ aims to establish a technology transfer system driven by enterprise needs and integrating industry, academia, and research.
The focus will be on five sectors that are considered ripe for innovation: environmental protection, new materials, testing and inspection, consulting services, and technical information, fostering a cluster of high-level, specialized entrepreneurial incubation institutions.
Enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship
Guiyang HIDZ continues to host financing promotions, roadshows, and precise on-site services. To date, it has helped five enterprises secure 18.93 million yuan ($2.59 million) in debt financing and two enterprises obtain 18 million yuan in equity financing.
"Guiyang HIDZ boasts a favorable innovation and entrepreneurship environment. Its achievements in industrial development, 'dual innovation' platform construction, and system-building have earned it commendations from the provincial government twice," noted a representative from the zone's entrepreneurship service center.