China Bets on AI ‘One-Person Companies’ to Boost Employment
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China’s local governments are placing a new bet on bolstering employment and driving innovation: the AI-powered “one-person company.”
Distinct from traditional self-employment or freelancing, these entities — known locally as OPCs — are defined by a single founder utilizing a suite of artificial-intelligence tools to manage the entire business chain, from product development and marketing to customer service. Proponents argue these firms offer advantages in asset efficiency, rapid iteration, and growth potential.
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- Chinese cities are supporting AI-driven “one-person companies” (OPCs), with local governments offering infrastructure, funding, and policy streamlining tailored to regional industrial strengths.
- Key support includes low-cost office space, government-backed capital funds (e.g., Hangzhou’s 1 billion yuan OPC fund), and access to computing power and support services across tech hubs like Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou.
- Initiatives aim to bridge AI innovation with real-world demand by providing commercial scenarios and rapid prototyping capabilities, especially in manufacturing and digital content.
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Who’s Who
- Wanxi Holdings
- Wang Nuo, a partner at Wanxi Holdings, focuses on early-stage AI investments and operates the "I have demo" platform. This platform has incubated 10 startups that follow the one-person company (OPC) model. Wang emphasizes that providing orders and commercial scenarios is crucial for OPC support at this stage.
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What Happened When
- Dec. 8, 2025：
- Beijing’s Haidian district released the capital’s first OPC (One-Person Company) service plan.
- February 2026：
- Shenzhen’s Bao’an district launched an OPC innovation community and opened up industry scenarios to entrepreneurs.
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