Revitalized Spaces, Realized Ideas in XEC

26 Nov 2025

At XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), innovation never stops.Platforms like X³ Co-Venture and Innovation Factory, as an integrated ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, are constantly expanding the boundaries of campus creativity.In the 2024–2025 academic year, over 1,000 students have engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship projects under these two platforms. Dozens of student teams have received dedicated funding and resource support from the University, continuously exploring the journey from “idea” to “innovation” to “entrepreneurship.”Some students turn their bold ideas into real products; others step onto the stage of entrepreneurship competitions. From a spark of inspiration to a working prototype, then to a team and a company — here, you can literally watch ideas grow wings and take off beyond campus.

Competition Success

8teams have competed and won in municipal or higher-level innovation and entrepreneurship competitions after incubation, proving their creativity and execution.

Investment Recognition

3teams secured a total investment exceeding tens of millions of RMB,earning high recognition from the capital market.

Policy Support

Incubated projects have collectively received over RMB 2 million in funding support. Notably, Limitless Mind joined the “Changzhou Talent Direct Access Program,” while Swigar and SmartShare AI teams received RMB 100,000 through the Taicang University Student Entrepreneurship Fund. Two core team members also obtained local talent recognition.

Business Launches

8 incubated teams have successfully registered companies, including SwigarTechnology (Taicang) Co., Ltd. and Taicang SmartShare AI Technology Co., Ltd., showcasing how student projects evolve from campus initiatives to market-ready enterprises.

Revitalized Platforms and Spaces

To provide students with an even more immersive innovation experience, the Project Hive (C5030) — a newly upgraded innovation co-working space under the Innovation Factory — is now open for reservation.

This space serves as a dynamic arena for team collaboration, creative experimentation, and interdisciplinary projects.From flexible multi-functional workstations to fully equipped testing zones, every corner is designed to help ideas take flight. Whether it’s a midnight brainstorming session or an early-morning breakthrough, Project Hive offers the perfect environment for your ideas to grow and your projects to thrive.Please email innovationfactory@xjtlu.edu.cn to gain access to Projects Hive.

Bold Thinkers, Real Innovators — Inspiration from Star Projects

At the X³ Co-Venture, every student is a bold innovator who transforms ideas into action. Let’s take a look at some of the star projects showing how far XJTLU students can push innovation:

Limitless Mind

By integrating sign language recognition and natural language generation, this team enables seamless communication between hearing and speech-impaired users and others. They were selected for the Changzhou Talent Direct Access Program, received RMB 2 million in support, gained local talent recognition, and are currently launching an angel round fundraising of RMB 8–10 million.

Key-2FA

This project develops an innovative physical key for two-factor authentication, securing RMB 3 million in strategic investment from Baidu and RMB 500,000 in angel investment from an alumnus in Silicon Valley.

Swigar

Combining AIAgents with gamified education, Swigar creates intelligent learning paths for K12 students — making “learning through play” a reality. Students in the team hone their AI and educational design skills whilewitnessing the real-world impact of technology on learning experiences.

Not all projects are high-tech — the Campus Enterprise Projects also give students the chance to bring their ideas to life within a real business context.

With physical space and operational support provided by the University, students design, build, and test their own ventures — turning creative concepts into viable business models.

Cozy Coffee

A campus entrepreneurship project founded by Wang Ziyu, a 2025 graduate in Supply Chain Management at the School of Intelligent Finance and Business. The café combines nature with learning, creating a unique “community co-creation +emotional healing” business model, offering students and faculty a distinctive space for relaxation and engagement on campus.

The idea originated from a coffee shop operations competition jointly organized by the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Hub and X³ Co-Venture. In her business plan, Wang proposed creative initiatives such as a “Green Plant Adoption Program” and “Student Speaker Salons,” winning the Best Overall Project Award. With the guidance and support of the college’s mentor team, she successfully transformed the concept into a real café.In running the café, Wang integrated her supply chain management expertise into practice, carefully planning every step — from coffee bean sourcing and logistics to inventory management and cost control. Today, Cozy Coffee has gradually become an important social and cultural hub on campus — offering not just coffee, but a space for interaction and connection. The café regularly hosts interdisciplinary workshops, art exhibitions, and themed pop-up events, while inviting faculty and students for lectures, sharing sessions, and book nights, promoting collaborative knowledge creation and cultural exchange on campus.The membership-based Green Plant Adoption Program allows customers to participate in the care and growth of plants, embedding sustainability into everyday campus life.

Hall of SSS

A cross-disciplinary student team breathing new life into traditional culture by merging heritage art with modern design and technology.

They created licensed XJTLU-branded products such as keychains and fridge magnets inspired by traditional kite patterns — achieving over RMB 40,000 in revenue and selling more than 2,600 pieces across online and offline platforms within three months. Their studio also hosts exhibitions, workshops, and cultural salons, and plans to apply 3D printing and AR to further modernize intangible heritage.

Mentors and Partners — Learning from Experience

At the X³-CoVenture, no student innovates alone.Over 150 entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and alumni mentors are ready to support student projects.

On 11 October, the XJTLU Alumni Venture π event was held at the Taicang campus. Student teams presented their projects to alumni investors specialising in AI, digital technology, and smart manufacturing. The atmosphere was charged with energy — teams pitched, received instant feedback, and even attracted investment interest on the spot.For students, it was not only a showcase but a chance to refine their ideas and gain insights directly from seasoned innovators.

Growing into the Future — Your Place is Here

At XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), innovation isn’t just a slogan — it happens every day. You might see students fine-tuning robots, designing AI applications, or building prototypes in virtual worlds. Every passion and interest have a chance to become a real project; every experiment can lead to tangible results.Through X³ Co-Venture and Innovation Factory, students gain more than space and resources — they access a full ecosystem where ideas grow, take shape, and prove their impact. For every bold thinker ready to create, the opportunity starts right here on campus. Innovation begins with you — come explore X³ Co-Venture and Innovation Factory!

Content by: X³ Co-Venture and Innovation Factory

Edited & Social Media Editor by: Ying Ding