Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Xiangzhou is pushing to become one of China's best places for startups to grow and develop, after introducing a raft of policies and incentives designed to give young companies that much need foot-up in the world of business.

One such example of how the district is forging ahead in the name of startups, is the many and frequent visits its finance service center pays to young companies in Xiangzhou's maker space.

Workers from Xiangzhou's financial service center listen to startups' financial issues at the maker space on Nov 21. [Photo / jrfwzx.zhxz.cn]

The range of government guidance on offer is wide and far-reaching. One such visit took place at the maker space on Nov 21, where finance experts gave out top tips and advice to four of the newly-nestled startups.

Since its opening in October 2015, the 16,000-sq-m maker space has attracted internet technology startups, venture capital investment management companies, as well as the district's own hacker space, marking a new stage in cultural and internet industry development.

The frequent visits and consultations with growing firms create a bridge between startups and the often hard-to-reach banks, lenders and government. This has allowed many Xiangzhou startups to gain access to loans and finance, which can be crucial to growing a young business in its first few years. 

A sci-tech innovation contest begins on Oct 18 in Zhuhai's Xiangzhou District in response to a national call for innovative development. [Photo / Zhuhai Daily]

In 2016 alone, many large-scale innovation competitions have also been held, such a science and technology contest which offered up 5 million yuan ($741,938) in prize money -- a welcome addition to the coffers of any startup.

The competitions help to discover new innovators in industry as well as seek out the hidden gems which may have gone unnoticed. But no winner goes away with just the prize money; guidance and advice are offered all along the way -- such as training, lectures, and government subsidies. 

A sci-tech innovation contest begins on Oct 18 in Zhuhai's Xiangzhou District in response to a national call for innovative development. [Photo / Zhuhai Daily]

The Xiangzhou District's attitude to startups is one of proactivity and always striving for bigger, better, more creative. The district is continuously injecting new energy into its innovative development and economic upgrade.