The Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC) established the OVC Talent Fund through the Wuhan Optics Valley Financial Holding Group Co in 2014 to support the "3551 OVC Talent Initiative" and provide financial support to outstanding enterprises.

The talent fund (including the OVC Partner Fund) has invested in over 420 enterprises, totaling over 2 billion yuan ($276.67 million). Many of these enterprises have become listed companies, professional and innovative enterprises, or gazelle enterprises. Because of its significant number of investments, the talent fund has been recognized as Hubei's most active equity investment institution for four consecutive years.

The research and development personnel of Water-World debug the product. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

An OVC enterprise, Wuhan Water-World Environmental Technology Co, recently benefited from the talent fund, going public with its independently developed BioPower 103 short-range nitrifying bacteria.

"We have launched over 30 products to date, and this year's revenue is expected to exceed 85 million yuan, a 30-percent increase from last year," stated Liu Yunfeng, assistant general manager of Water-World.

Wu Yifei, the talent fund's manager, said, "3551 talent enterprises are often technology-driven and require substantial early-stage funding. This determines that we prioritize seed-stage, angel-stage, and early to mid-stage enterprises, patiently supporting their growth."

The government-guided talent fund has also attracted more capital participation. The talent fund (including the OVC Partner Fund) has attracted four times the social capital investment, with over 50 enterprises receiving subsequent financing among the invested companies.

OVC currently has 337 registered funds, including 144 government and State-owned enterprise investment funds. It is gradually forming a fund cluster led by government investment funds, with widespread participation from social capital and various fund managers. This cluster will provide capital support for OVC's technological innovation and high-quality economic development.