A single computer paired with powerful AI tools is replacing the need for large factory floors and extensive teams, allowing entrepreneurs to independently handle everything from visual design and content creation to material refinement. This lightweight, AI-driven solo business model is emerging as a fresh highlight in the digital economy of Suining's Hedong New Area, where a dedicated "one-person company" (OPC) community is taking root.
By targeting this new "solo entrepreneurship" track, the Hedong New Area is establishing itself as the core AI OPC hub for Suining, fostering an industrial ecosystem where large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and individual founders can thrive together. The district has already launched three OPC startup communities, which are now operational.
Where to start: Leveraging the strengths of the local industrial chain
In recent years, the Hedong New Area has focused its efforts on three key sectors: data services, artificial intelligence, and low-altitude applications. This strategy has attracted major projects such as iFLYTEK's Southwest industrialization base, Philipxin's digital economy industrial base, and the southwest regional headquarters for Digital Eagle's low-altitude drones. To date, the district has gathered more than 160 digital-related enterprises and 37 key industrial projects.
Building on this solid industrial foundation, the district is carving out new space for a more diversified ecosystem. It is taking a unique approach by capitalizing on its status as a new urban area, focusing on asset-light sectors like digital creativity, AI model debugging, and visual content production to nurture solo entrepreneurs.
So why would a solo founder choose this location? The answer lies in a collaborative model of "lead companies outsourcing, individuals undertaking." Wang Shuo, general manager of Philipxin (Suining) Digital Technology Co., Ltd., explains that his company leveraged the district's equity-based investment model to establish operations with ease. It now handles diverse tasks for several major domestic platforms, covering services such as text-to-image generation, voice annotation, and AI short-drama production. Standardized tasks, Sichuan dialect data collection, and graphic design work that suit independent operation are consistently outsourced to solo entrepreneurs, creating a closed loop for the local industrial chain.
Currently, the Hedong New Area has three OPC communities in operation—at the Financial Center, Suishu, and Jingchuang—equipped with 34 workstations and already hosting 22 solo entrepreneurs. Tang Dan, the operator of the Suining OPC community, notes that the facility regularly conducts AI training and incubates original short-drama projects, helping to cultivate local young talent and fill gaps in their technical skills and experience.
Nurturing growth: Enhancing support services and policy incentives
Retaining young talent in this new business format hinges on robust supporting services and favorable policies. The Hedong New Area is addressing needs across housing, transportation, dining, and network infrastructure to better align with the requirements of digital founders. On the housing front, it has revitalized existing properties to create 165 "Warm New Apartments," reserved specifically for digital and OPC entrepreneurs, complete with furniture and appliances so they can move in with just their luggage. The state-owned platforms also help resolve dining and accommodation issues for employees. Meanwhile, optimized bus routes, additional shared bicycles, and expanded parking spaces make daily commutes more convenient. Furthermore, the district's Intelligent Computing Center provides AI entrepreneurs with essential computing power services.
In terms of policy, the district implements tiered, targeted support. A dedicated OPC service window has been established to streamline six high-frequency procedures—such as business registration, social security, and tax-related matters—into a single, parallel process, cutting registration time to as little as three hours and enabling full online handling for routine tasks. Solo entrepreneurs can also apply for computing vouchers and token subsidies to lower the cost of using AI tools. Additionally, public orders for city promotions and scenario design are opened up, offering local founders a stable stream of business.
To further alleviate the headaches of finding computing power, securing orders, and navigating paperwork, Suining is preparing to launch a city-level OPC comprehensive service platform. This one-stop hub will integrate a computing power marketplace, an AI tool library, order matching, and financial and tax agency services, complete with quality control and settlement mechanisms to serve as a strong backup for solo entrepreneurs. Looking ahead, the Hedong New Area plans to continue upgrading its entrepreneurial spaces, improving living amenities, and refining support policies. By removing bottlenecks in business services and order matching, it aims to tackle the pain points of youth entrepreneurship and carve out a viable path for attracting talent and fostering industry growth in smaller cities across the Sichuan-Chongqing region.