A final of a maker contest takes place in Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone on Nov 12, 2019. [Photo/WeChat account: shlgguanweihui]

The Lin-gang Special Area base of the Alibaba Cloud Innovation Center was unveiled on Nov 12.

The Alibaba Cloud Innovation Center is Alibaba Group's incubator for technology startups and innovations based on the internet, cloud computing and big data. Its aim is to inject innovative startups with Alibaba Group's varied high-quality platform resources and help them get access to superior technologies and services, internet traffic resources, entrepreneur counseling and training, media coverage, venture capital resources and so on through an all-round support system with Alibaba characteristics.

The base in Lin-gang Special Area is a flagship incubator for strategic cooperation and joint construction between the special area and Alibaba Cloud. The aim is to introduce Alibaba Group's resources into the area and thereby better equip enterprises in the area.

According to Chen Jie, deputy director of Lin-gang Special Area, the area and Alibaba are deepening cooperation. The landing of Alibaba Cloud Innovation Center Base in the special area will help enterprises get access to the resources and functional platforms of Alibaba's seven business sectors, better combine innovations with startups, better connect online and offline services, and better link technology incubation with financial investment. It will also provide cloud technology support and resource sharing for internet enterprises in Lin-gang Special Area. The area has a solid artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated circuit (IC) industrial foundation, as well as rich application scenarios. The introduction of Alibaba's resources in cloud computing, finance, e-commerce and other aspects will comprehensively promote the integration and concentration of emerging industries in the special area, improving enterprises' innovation capabilities and the innovation environment. It will also help Lin-gang build a world-class innovation cluster with international influence.

The Shanghai Finals of 2019 Create @ Alibaba Cloud Startup Contest and 2019 Maker in China "Top 50 Startups with the Most Investment Potential in Shanghai" were also held in Lin-gang Special Area Nov 12.

The finals were focused on three fields: advanced manufacturing, cloud computing and big data, and marine technology, with nearly 20 teams reaching the finals.

Chen Jie said he hoped to discover more gazelle and unicorns companies through such contests. These types of startups are welcome to settle and develop in Lin-gang Special Area. The administration will provide the best policy support and spare no efforts to be a "gold medal waiter" for enterprises.