As a new entrepreneurial model called the "one-person company" (OPC) takes root across China, Shanghai has striven to promote development of OPCs by introducing a series of support policies and incentives, turning this AI-driven wave into an accelerator for more young people to realize their dreams.
One-person companies are on the rise in China, and armed with AI tools, one person can do the work that used to require a small team. With strong policy support in Shanghai, more individuals are turning ideas into real businesses.
A primary example is the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, or literally "Model Speed Space". Established in September 2023 as the country's first AI large model incubation platform, it has attracted over 300 companies.
The center offers integrated support spanning computing power, datasets, financing, human resources and application scenarios, helping startups overcome hurdles such as high costs, limited data and fundraising difficulties.
Within the building, companies on the supply chain operate just floors apart, and neighbors often grow into close partners.
"When our company was first established, the core team was really just me and another partner. In this center, we met some young entrepreneurs with great ideas. As we like to say around here: going upstairs or downstairs means moving between upstream and downstream partners," said Zhang Di, founder of Shanghai Aiyuhui Technology Co., Ltd.
Companies are no longer relying on headcount. Instead, they are embracing widespread adoption of AI. AI tools are quickly becoming the core productive force that drives competitiveness.
"Within this 50,000-square-meter space, we have brought together over 300 large-model enterprises. We will provide all one-person companies with a full-chain toolkit, while further strengthening internationalization. Our goal is to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs," said Yang Jingjing, chairwoman of Shanghai Large Model Ecosystem Development Co., Ltd.
Shanghai promotes development of AI-driven "one person companies"
