Future entrepreneurs flock to Chengdu

Hrunan is a high-tech enterprise based in Beijing that focuses on designing, researching, developing, producing, selling and providing technical services for water conservancy information products and smart water conservancy software platforms.

The company took part in the 2022 Golden Panda competition with a flood warning solution based on digital twin technology. In January 2023, Hrunan's subsidiary in Chengdu registered in the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone.

Gao Zhe, general manager of Hrunan, said Chengdu's high-tech talent, research institutes and enterprises foster a vibrant atmosphere of scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship.

In addition to the Golden Panda Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Competition, Chengdu organizes various innovation and entrepreneurship competitions and events, such as the Venture Tianfu Jingronghui and the Rongpiao Cup. These initiatives aim to match high-quality innovation resources from home and abroad with the industrial needs of Chengdu.

In Chengdu, every district and county has set up a "young talent station" to provide services for fresh college graduates.

The stations, initiated by the Chengdu committee of the Communist Party of China and the Chengdu committee of the Communist Youth League of China, offer seven days of free accommodation for fresh graduates with a bachelor's degree or above from outside Chengdu who come to the city for job interviews.

Shen Juan is the administrator of Chenghua District Young Talent Station, the first youth talent station in Chengdu. More than 1,000 fresh graduates have stayed at the station. Her WeChat friend count has also increased from 500-600 to more than 2,000.

In July 2017, the first batch of young talent stations in Chengdu was launched. To date, the talent stations have accommodated more than 80,000 students.

Talent green cards are another initiative introduced by Chengdu to attract high-level professionals. Zhai Wanming, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Southwest Jiaotong University specializing in railway engineering dynamics, settled in Chengdu in 1990.

Originally from Jiangsu province, he has witnessed the development of Chengdu and achieved career success in the city. In August 2017, Chengdu issued the first batch of Chengdu Talent Green Cards and he became the first expert to apply for the card.

The green card initiative encompasses 24 service areas that range from housing and transportation to healthcare and support for entrepreneurial endeavors.

"This innovative and inclusive city has helped me grow and become my second hometown," said Zhai.

Chengdu is also an ideal place for foreigners with dreams. "I think the world is a stage. I think singing in the streets is very comfortable and natural," Filip Kobuszewski said. He is a social media influencer from Poland and has been living in Chengdu for eight years.

Intending to express his feelings, he has sung across Chengdu, in squares, by the river and even underneath overpasses. His videos have attracted millions of followers.

This year, as Chengdu hosts the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games, it will organize the 2023 Chengdu Youth Entrepreneurship Acceleration Training Camp, establish the Chengdu Youth Entrepreneurship Alliance and create a supportive community for young entrepreneurs.

Chengdu will also rate youth entrepreneurship mentors, provide funds for more young entrepreneurs and organize activities, such as mentoring sessions and project roadshows, to support young entrepreneurs.