The Hongqiao International Youth Innovation Hub features four core functions. [Photo/WeChat account of the organization department of the CPC Minhang district committee]
The Hongqiao International Youth Innovation Hub, situated in the heart of the Hongqiao International Central Business District, serves as a new landmark for talent services, succeeding the "Shanghai Talent+" Entrepreneurship City.
The hub features four core functions, summarized as the "four firsts": a first stage for startups, a first contact for talent, a first stage for showcase, and a first channel for cooperation, building a full‑cycle entrepreneurial service ecosystem for international youth entrepreneurs.
- First stage for startups: The hub leverages the area's connectivity between northern and southern Shanghai, links to the Yangtze River Delta, and expands its global reach. On the ninth floor, it offers 1,000 square meters of zero‑cost entrepreneurial space with 120 workstations, featuring both open co‑working spaces and private office areas suitable for startups.
It also follows the "Shanghai Talent+" Entrepreneurship City's "five zeros" entrepreneurial support system: zero cost for space, zero burden for living, zero distance to professional services, zero barriers to resource connection, and zero wait for administrative assistance.
- First contact for talent: To meet the needs of young entrepreneurs, who often have limited startup experience, diverse service needs, and frequent cross-border business activities, the hub integrates nearly 30 service items across 16 major categories including talent, business, and industry. A dedicated team provides end-to-end support throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
The office areas at the hub. [Photo/WeChat account of the organization department of the CPC Minhang district committee]
- First support for resource and cooperation: By combining government and market forces, the hub collaborates with 25 entrepreneurial service institutions and more than 30 senior entrepreneurial mentors to provide think-tank support. Since its trial operation, it has hosted more than 30 industry salons, professional seminars, job fairs, and supply-demand matchmaking events.
The hub also collaborates with the Alibaba Center to establish an industrial collaboration zone that provides tiered innovative support. It has established 19 one-person company communities across various districts to attract young talent.
- First channel for showcase: The hub hosts three flagship events to facilitate technology collaboration and cross‑border business activities, including orders, investments, loans, debuts, courses, and employment.
The hub's primary industry aligns with national and regional development priorities. By supporting the development of a Yangtze River Delta manufacturing R&D cluster in northern Minhang, it prioritizes entrepreneurial projects built around core technologies.
Additionally, it links with the Grand NeoBay science and technology innovation zone to promote the district’s industrial development.
The hub launches 13 pioneering startup projects across cutting-edge areas. [Photo/WeChat account of the organization department of the CPC Minhang district committee]
The hub cultivates projects abiding by the country's national strategic plan in industry development, covering frontier fields in new energy and green technology, biomedicine and precision medicine, and AI and embodied intelligence.
It has incubated 13 pioneering startup projects led by master's and doctoral professionals from globally renowned institutions such as New York University, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Hong Kong.
Source: Official WeChat account of the organization department of the CPC Minhang district committee (ID: "mhqzzb")
