The Dual-Intelligence Industrial Innovation Center in WEDZ. [Photo/WeChat account: whkfq]

Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) has seen a significant boost in its innovation capacity, with two of its platforms — Zhongke Innovation Incubators of Auto Valley and the Dual-Intelligence Industrial Innovation Center — included on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's enterprise incubator list.

Zhongke Innovation Incubators is dedicated to serving technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the electronic information and new materials sectors, having established a dual-service system of "achievement transformation + industry incubation" that offers financial support, entrepreneurship mentoring, market access, pilot research and development, public technology, and comprehensive services.

It has incubated over 200 companies, nurtured 54 high-tech enterprises, and four provincial-level specialized and innovative SMEs, securing financing of 250 million yuan ($36.23 million) and creating over 1,400 jobs.

The Dual-Intelligence Industrial Innovation Center focuses on the core sectors of new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, having incubated more than 620 companies.

The center is also involved in the science and technology finance sector, participating in a science and technology fund with a total scale of nearly 2.3 billion yuan. It has introduced the innovative "lease-to-equity" model and led the creation of three high-energy innovation platforms, bridging the gap between technological and industrial innovation.

WEDZ has been at the forefront of promoting the standardized, systematic, and professional development of incubation platforms, achieving significant breakthroughs in their enhancement. The zone currently hosts 34 incubation platforms, including four at the national level and seven at the provincial level.

Authorities plan to continue strengthening post-service and operational support for incubators, accelerate the implementation of incubator evaluation policies, and develop a scientific and efficient performance management system.

The goal is to guide all incubation platforms to focus on their core functions: cultivating technology-based enterprises, transforming scientific and technological achievements, and empowering industries.