From surviving to thriving: Industrialization transforms research institute

Most sci-tech research institutes in Liangjiang New Area are in the Liangjiang Collaborative Innovation Zone. [Photo provided to English.liangjiang.gov.cn] 

In just three years, the Green Aerotechnics Research Institute of Chongqing Jiaotong University (GATRI) has dramatically increased its annual revenue from a mere 30,000 yuan ($4,231.51) to 20 million yuan. The institute has transformed its fortunes from struggling to thriving by bridging the gap between technology and industry. 

Established in 2019, GATRI faced a challenging start, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of clear development strategy. Amid these difficulties, GATRI and its co-founders, Chongqing Jiaotong University and Liangjiang New Area, decided to pursue industrialization as a survival strategy. 

A clear development path was established that used Liangjiang's aerospace and low-altitude economy opportunities, the university's talent platform, and GATRI's advancements in aeronautical technologies. 

To industrialize scientific and technological achievements, GATRI founded an enterprise and business incubator. Crater Technology Co, a GATRI-incubated enterprise that provides intelligent driving and suspension system products and testing services, has partnered with industry giants such as Changan Auto.

Supported by GATRI's talent, funding, and technology resources, as well as commercial resources from Mingyue Lake Industrial Innovation Park, Crater Technology has achieved rapid growth since its establishment in August last year, securing a substantial order from a top-tier company this year.

As of August, five enterprises incubated by GATRI had each surpassed 100 billion yuan in annual output.

Like GATRI, approximately 30 of the 50 scientific research institutes in Liangjiang New Area are pursuing industrialization. The Liangjiang Collaborative Innovation Zone, where most of these research institutes are concentrated, offers a one-stop, comprehensive support system with more than 50 sci-tech innovation service firms to facilitate the industrialization of scientific achievements.

The incubation service provides training in achievement transformation, technology consulting, intellectual property rights, financing counseling, business models, financial and tax management, and marketing.

Over 660 scientific and technological achievements have been commercialized in the Liangjiang Collaborative Innovation Zone, and more than 500 innovative enterprises have been incubated.