Photography exhibition in the factory halls
Hundreds of prints hung under the steel roof of one of the island's former industrial halls. A good example of the island's new life: old shipyard spaces turned into galleries, studios and offices.
Fuxing Island · Yangpu, Shanghai
Fuxing Island — Where International Startups Come to Grow
Apply with your project. Selected founders are incubated on the island and supported with a work permit, office space and housing, so you can settle first and build from there.
We find the talent. Fuxing Island helps it grow.
What selected founders get
Everything you need to stay, build and grow
Support comes from Fuxing Island's own programmes for founders. Eligibility applies to each.
Incubation on the island
A place in one of Fuxing Island's incubators, with mentors and a community of founders.
Work permit support
Shanghai's startup-phase work permit lets founders based in a recognised incubator stay and work before forming a company.
Office space
Renovated industrial workspace with rent capped at ¥1 per m² per day, and no rent in year one for one-person companies.
Housing
Talent apartments for entrepreneurs, with rent capped at ¥1,000 a month.
Compute and AI resources
Vouchers for computing power, AI models and data, up to ¥5 million combined.
Your company, when you're ready
Registration, bank account and tax set up once you're settled, using the island's free bookkeeping for one-person companies.
Sources: Shanghai launches Fuxing Island as global maker hub · Yangpu launches community for one-person companies · Startup-phase work permit guide
How it works
Apply, get reviewed, settle in
- You1
Apply
Tell us about your project, or meet us at a startup programme, residency or competition.
- Us2
Review
We meet you, see how far along you are and assess your project against published criteria.
- Island3
Selection
We recommend the strongest founders. Fuxing Island's incubators and the district make the final decision.
- You4
Arrive and grow
Move into your office and apartment, start on your permit, and register your company once you're settled.
Who we look for
Foreign founders ready to build in Shanghai
Every application is assessed on the same criteria.
Progress
A working prototype, early users or revenue. Show us how far along you are.
Fit with the island
Fuxing Island focuses on digital intelligence, art and design, and people-centred urban space.
Founder
Relevant skills and education, a clean record, and a team of up to five.
Commitment
A real reason to build here, and a plan for your first year in Shanghai.
Fair selection
Free to apply. Decided on merit.
- No fees to apply and no paid fast track. Ever.
- Published criteria, applied the same way to every founder.
- We recommend; the island decides. Incubators and Yangpu District make final decisions on places, space and housing.
- Reported openly to the district: who applied, who was recommended and who was selected.
Life on the island
Where you'd be building
Events, communities and programmes happening on Fuxing Island.
One-person company community
The district's community for solo founders: meetups and competitions, plus on-site help with talent apartments and computing support.
The Arch builder residency
A 21-day acceleration residency for founders and builders, held on the island. One of the programmes where we meet founders.
Questions
Good to know before you apply
Do I need a company before I can get a work permit?
Not necessarily. Shanghai's startup-phase work permit is for founders who haven't formed a company yet and are based in a recognised incubator. Selected founders settle first and register their company when they're ready.
Is a visa or permit guaranteed if I'm selected?
No. Selection gives you access to the island's support. Permits are decided by the authorities, and each programme has its own eligibility rules. We prepare your application so it has the best chance.
Who decides who is selected?
We review projects and recommend founders. Fuxing Island's incubators and Yangpu District make the final decisions.
Does it cost anything?
Applying is free. [Any fees for optional setup help, once confirmed]
Can I apply from outside China?
Yes. Many founders apply from abroad. We plan your arrival around the steps that need you in person.
Apply
Tell us about your startup
Takes two minutes. We'll be in touch to arrange a conversation.
WeChat: [WeChat ID]
Email: [email address]