As artificial intelligence continues to reshape productivity and entrepreneurship, the rise of the One-Person Company (OPC) model is creating new opportunities for small, agile, and AI-enabled teams.

The East Hongqiao International Youth Innovation Center in Shanghai's Changning district is emerging as a dedicated hub for this model, combining incubation space, AI support, talent services, and global business resources to help startups scale faster and run leaner.

Operated by IF GEEK SPACE (IGS) and supported by district-level innovation and talent initiatives, the center is Changning's first professional incubator focused on "OPC + AI + overseas markets".

Built for OPCs

From its inception, the center was designed to support OPCs.

Covering 5,800 square meters, it offers more than 200 OPC workstations, open co-working areas, meeting rooms, project display spaces, and 24-hour facility support, creating a flexible environment for startups and independent founders.

The center focuses on three key sectors — cross-border business, life and health, and tech-driven consumption — while advancing AI application innovation. More than 20 AI + OPC startup teams have already completed move-in discussions.

For life and health startups, the building provides ventilation systems and laboratory facilities that support R&D and regulatory compliance. For businesses targeting overseas markets, its location near major talent and international business service hubs offers practical advantages for both global professionals and companies seeking overseas opportunities. For tech-driven consumer startups, the center connects entrepreneurs with leading regional companies to create business and branding opportunities.

Year-round backing

To ease operational pressure on small startup teams, the center has launched a 365-day entrepreneurship support program, offering assistance in six key areas: technology development, industrial matchmaking, capital and financing, brand promotion, professional services, and intellectual property.

Qualified entrepreneurs can also access five free supporting measures, including six months of free workstations, tax and financial services, legal services, broadband access, and talent apartments.

Turning AI into business

A cornerstone of the center's model is its partnership with OPC Global, a global alliance for OPCs.

Through training, mentorship, and global order-matching systems, startups are supported not only in using AI tools but also in turning AI capability into commercial value.

Unlike conventional AI training programs, OPC Global's approach is order-driven and practice-oriented, linking coaches, partners, and OPC units to bridge the gap between knowledge and execution.

Resident teams can access global digital delivery opportunities through order distribution and compliance settlement systems, helping transform skills into income and market-facing services.

In addition, international coaching certification programs enable experienced professionals to convert industry expertise into structured consulting and training services, creating new business growth opportunities.

Policy support

The center is further backed by Changning's broader talent and entrepreneurship support system. In partnership with IGS, the district has established a youth-focused incubation academy that offers startup mentoring, entrepreneurship courses, financing support, and one-stop services.

Looking ahead, the center aims to strengthen its OPC-focused incubation model, support more youth-led innovation projects, and expand collaboration with institutions in neighboring Yangtze River Delta regions, including Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, building a cross-regional OPC entrepreneurship network.

Source: WeChat account of Changning district information office of "shchangning"