To thoroughly implement the innovation-driven development strategy, advance the construction of the offshore innovation center to high standards and at a high level, leverage high-end innovation resources from advanced regions, accelerate the formation of new-quality productive forces, foster new drivers and advantages for development, and support the high-quality economic and social development of our city, these guidelines are formulated in accordance with local conditions.
I. Guiding Principles
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches on Jiangsu’s work. Focusing on the city’s industrial innovation and development needs, we will establish a number of offshore innovation centers in regions outside the city that are rich in scientific and technological innovation resources. These centers will serve as R&D hubs for local enterprises, incubation and aggregation centers for science and technology innovation talent and projects, and innovation empowerment hubs for enterprises from other regions, thereby promoting two-way synergy between local and offshore innovation.and establish a collaborative innovation model of “offshore R&D incubation and Taizhou-based transformation and application,” thereby building momentum and empowering the high-quality economic and social development of the entire city.
II. Overall Objectives
By 2025, the city will have established more than 15 regional offshore innovation centers, striving to achieve full coverage of key development zones, with more than 300 new enterprises (projects) settling in; more than 20 new enterprise offshore innovation centers will be built; more than 150 enterprises (projects) will be established in our city; more than 200 innovative achievements will be applied and commercialized; and more than 300 high-level talents will be attracted.
III. Functional Positioning
Offshore Innovation Centers are established by the municipal government, municipal (district) governments, development zones, or enterprises (research institutions) in areas outside the city with abundant innovation resources. They primarily engage in activities such as attracting innovation resources, technology R&D, project incubation, technology transfer, and talent cultivation. Their main functional roles are as follows:
(1) Entrepreneurship Incubation Platform. Focusing on the cultivation of strategic emerging industries and future industries, this platform will establish deep partnerships with universities, research institutes, and technology service organizations to attract high-level entrepreneurial talent teams and early-stage technology startups to incubate and establish industrial operations in our city.
(2) R&D Acceleration Platform. Focusing on the development of leading and competitive industries, the center establishes offshore R&D and pilot testing service platforms to provide R&D support for local enterprises as well as “chain-leading” and “chain-core” enterprises from other regions with offshore innovation needs. It supports key local enterprises in establishing offshore innovation centers to accelerate project R&D processes and promote the application and commercialization of offshore R&D projects in our city.
(3) Talent Recruitment Platform. Focusing on corporate talent needs, we will shift talent recruitment efforts to offshore innovation centers, build talent chains around industrial chains, and create an offshore talent aggregation model where professionals “work and live in offshore centers while serving and contributing to Taizhou.”
(4) Integrated Innovation Platform. Focusing on the mutual advancement of local and offshore innovation, we will fully leverage the advantages of offshore resources to transform offshore innovation centers into outposts and hubs for activities such as technology-driven investment promotion, collaborative research, technology transfer and commercialization, and exchange and cooperation.
IV. Construction and Operation
(1) Coordinated Planning and Coordination to Build a Professional Offshore Innovation Network
Following a model of government guidance and market-driven operations, offshore innovation centers will be established in regions rich in innovation resources that align with Taizhou’s industrial, technological, and talent needs, thereby constructing a comprehensive offshore innovation network.
1. Promote the Construction of Regional Offshore Innovation Centers by Cities (Districts). Support cities (districts) in leveraging relevant development zones to explore partnerships with key enterprises (research institutions) and establish regional offshore innovation centers in areas rich in innovation resources, tailored to the development needs of distinctive and competitive industries.
2. Jointly establish regional offshore innovation centers with municipal and city (district) governments. In accordance with the requirements of “clear industrial positioning, dedicated office and R&D incubation space, public technology service platforms, professional management and service teams, and sound operational management systems,” the municipal government will collaborate with city (district) governments to jointly establish regional offshore innovation centers to support enterprises (projects) in setting up R&D and incubation operations.
3. Encourage the expansion and construction of innovation outposts. Support cities (districts), development zones, and offshore innovation centers in establishing networked innovation outposts in collaboration with universities, research institutes, technology service organizations, and industrial clusters. By comprehensively leveraging science and technology, talent, and industrial policies, as well as various investment funds such as angel investment funds, venture capital funds, and industrial investment funds, and through diverse support mechanisms including government affairs, business, and R&D services, these outposts will deeply engage with innovation projects to build a multi-dimensional, chain-based offshore innovation service network.
4. Support enterprises in establishing offshore innovation centers. Support key backbone enterprises (and research institutions) in establishing offshore innovation centers through self-construction or joint ventures. Encourage these centers to share facilities and leverage their advantages in technology, talent, and capital to provide innovation services to external entities.
5. Leverage the leading role of market mechanisms in the construction and operation of offshore innovation centers. Encourage eligible cities (districts) and development zones to form professional teams to manage offshore innovation centers through market-oriented operations; where conditions are not yet met, they may entrust professional institutions with the operational management of offshore innovation centers. Operating entities shall establish a comprehensive operational management system, provide professional tenant management services, and promote the two-way flow of local and offshore innovation resources.
(2) Optimize Innovation Services to Foster a Healthy Offshore Innovation Ecosystem
Focusing on the R&D and incubation needs of offshore innovation projects, provide “one-stop” public services and “tailored” specialized services to resident enterprises (projects). Address local innovation needs by offering integrated innovation services that encompass project recruitment, industry-academia-research collaboration, and technology transfer and commercialization.
1. Basic Services. Ensure the provision of basic office facilities for resident enterprises (projects) and offer relevant fee reductions or exemptions; provide basic services such as business registration, legal affairs, finance, training, consulting, and technology transfer.
2. R&D Services. Encourage the establishment of in-house public technology service platforms, or collaboration with universities, research institutes, and technology service organizations to provide resident enterprises (projects) with specialized technical services such as research and development, pilot testing, and inspection and testing. Facilitate the formation of innovation consortia between resident enterprises (projects) and academic institutions to collaboratively tackle key core technologies.
3. Financial Services. Establish venture capital funds or collaborate with industrial investment funds to mentor and nurture high-quality science and technology innovation projects. Guide enterprises (projects) to settle in the Offshore Innovation Center, and attract projects to our city for industrialization through financial services and capital resources.
4. Human Resources Services. Provide HR services such as social security payment processing and personnel file management for innovation and entrepreneurship talent, and offer support for resident enterprises in recruiting talent and attracting expertise.
5. Exchange and Sharing Services. Organize specialized investment promotion conferences, project roadshows, startup competitions, and industry-academia-research matchmaking events to facilitate information exchange and sharing, and vigorously aggregate offshore science and technology innovation resources.
6. Customized Specialized Services. Based on the specific needs of resident enterprises (projects)—including space, talent, technology, market access, and funding—we assist in connecting them with relevant resources and provide targeted, specialized services.
7. Integrated Innovation Services. Aligning with the innovation and development needs of local enterprises and industries, we will strengthen cooperation with leading universities, research institutes, technology service providers, and financial institutions in offshore regions to provide comprehensive services including investment promotion, talent recruitment, industry-academia-research collaboration, joint research and development, technology transfer and commercialization, and investment and financing.
(III) Strengthening Internal and External Connections to Promote Two-Way Flow of Offshore Innovation
Focusing on the industrialization and commercialization needs of offshore innovation projects, we will promote the interaction and sharing of innovation resources, platforms, and services between the city and offshore regions. We will establish an offshore-to-onshore-to-local project incubation and transformation system, striving to open up channels for the transformation of offshore innovation achievements from prototypes to products.
1. Offshore Segment. Actively engage in and support a range of forward-looking research and applied projects at universities and research institutes, attracting science and technology innovation talent and projects to settle and incubate there. Support local enterprises in establishing a presence at offshore innovation centers, providing talent, technology, and capital connections as well as public service platform support for their R&D, thereby facilitating the return of innovation outcomes to our city for industrialization.Focus on strengthening, extending, and filling gaps in industrial chains. Identify “chain-leading” and “chain-core” enterprises outside the city with offshore innovation needs, attract these enterprises (and their projects) to our city’s offshore innovation centers, and facilitate the industrialization of offshore R&D achievements within our city.
2. Onshore End. Leveraging service platforms such as our city’s pilot production bases and accelerators, we will host projects from the offshore innovation center to accelerate their growth.
3. Onshore End. Relying on key development zones, we will provide innovative application scenarios for the transformation of technological achievements in our city and undertake the industrialization of projects that have graduated from incubation, forming a closed-loop innovation cycle of “R&D and incubation—pilot testing and acceleration—local industrialization.”
V. Recognition and Management
(I) Clarification of Recognition Criteria
1. Recognition Criteria for Regional Offshore Innovation Centers:
(1) A public innovation platform established outside the administrative boundaries of our city;
(2) A clear industrial focus that aligns with the city’s leading industries, strategic emerging industries, and future industrial development directions, and plays a significant supporting role in industrial transformation and upgrading;
(3) Possesses sufficient floor space to meet R&D and incubation needs, along with supporting public service facilities such as pitch areas, negotiation rooms, and conference rooms, and possesses the necessary R&D service capabilities;
(4) A professional service team and closely collaborating supporting institutions, as well as a sound operational management system and set of regulations;
(5) A portfolio of resident projects (including projects under innovation outpost agreements);
(6) For projects jointly established with institutions outside the city, the cooperation agreement must clearly define the scope of cooperation and the relevant rights and obligations.
2. Criteria for the Recognition of Enterprise Offshore Innovation Centers:
(1) Subsidiaries or branches established outside the administrative region of our city by enterprises registered in our city’s database of national science and technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises, municipal-level or higher high-tech enterprises, gazelle enterprises, potential unicorn enterprises, unicorn enterprises, innovative leading enterprises, as well as listed companies and enterprises that have obtained equity financing;
(2) Possess a fixed R&D facility and full-time R&D personnel, with core functions focused on technological R&D, talent development, and the transfer and commercialization of research outcomes;
(3) Possess necessary R&D equipment and research conditions, have made a certain level of R&D investment in the current year, and are actively engaged in substantive R&D projects;
(4) For entities established through cooperation with institutions outside the city, the cooperation agreement must clearly define the scope of cooperation and the relevant rights and obligations.
(II) Establishment of an Evaluation System
The performance evaluation indicator system primarily includes five dimensions: annual objectives, R&D innovation, talent recruitment and cultivation, industrial development, and integration services (see Appendix). Annual performance evaluations will be conducted for recognized regional offshore innovation centers; those failing to meet evaluation standards will be required to rectify issues within a specified timeframe; those failing the evaluation twice consecutively will have their recognition revoked.
1. Annual Targets: The evaluation focuses on the achievement of the Regional Offshore Innovation Center’s annual targets.
(1) At least 10 startup teams and enterprises shall be admitted under the agreement, and they must complete registration procedures in our city or enter into technology transfer and commercialization agreements with local enterprises within one year of admission;
(2) Provide professional technical services to resident startup teams and enterprises at least 20 times, or assist resident startup teams and enterprises in collaborating with universities and research institutes on at least 5 technical research projects;
(3) Make actual investments in or assist with financing for at least 2 projects;
(4) Organize at least 5 exchange events, such as specialized investment promotion conferences, project roadshows, industry-academia-research matchmaking sessions, and innovation and entrepreneurship competitions;
(5) Have established at least 5 enterprises (projects) in our city and applied and commercialized at least 10 innovative achievements.
2. R&D and Innovation: Focus on evaluating the regional offshore innovation center’s capacity to nurture science and technology enterprises and the intellectual property creation capabilities of resident enterprises (projects).
3. Talent Attraction and Development: Focus on evaluating the regional offshore innovation center’s ability to attract R&D personnel and cultivate high-level talent.
4. Industry Development: Focus on evaluating the industrialization projects introduced to our city through the Regional Offshore Innovation Center.
5. Integrated Services: Focus on evaluating the Regional Offshore Innovation Center’s joint incubation of projects and the effectiveness of its comprehensive services for local innovation.
VI. Policy Support
Certified offshore innovation centers, as well as their resident enterprises (projects) and talent teams, are eligible for the following policies:
(1) Construction Grants and Subsidies.For regional offshore innovation centers established by the city (or district), a subsidy of up to 30% of the costs for newly purchased public R&D equipment or public R&D equipment rental fees will be provided for three years from the date of recognition, with a cumulative total not exceeding 5 million yuan; for regional offshore innovation centers jointly established by the city and the city (or district), a subsidy of up to 50% of the costs for newly purchased public R&D equipment or public R&D equipment rental fees will be provided for three years from the date of recognition, with a cumulative total not exceeding 10 million yuan.
(2) Operational Subsidies. For regional offshore innovation centers established by municipal (district) governments, a subsidy of up to 20% of annual operating expenses (including rent, outsourced operational costs, or staff salaries for self-operated centers) will be provided for three years following designation, with an annual cap of 1 million yuan;For regional offshore innovation centers jointly established by the municipal government and municipal (district) governments, a subsidy of up to 30% of annual operating expenses (including rent, outsourced operational costs, or salaries for in-house staff) will be provided for three years from the date of designation, with an annual cap of 2 million yuan.
(3) Talent Subsidies. Special subsidies will be provided to full-time R&D personnel working at offshore innovation centers for a maximum period of three years. The amounts are as follows: 30,000 yuan per year for doctoral degree holders, 20,000 yuan per year for master’s degree holders, and 10,000 yuan per year for bachelor’s degree holders. Such personnel shall be deemed to be working in our city and may apply for municipal talent programs or research projects, and are eligible to receive the same benefits as other local talent, including housing vouchers and the Fengcheng Talent Card.
(4) Project Support. For projects housed in regional offshore innovation centers or R&D projects of enterprise-based offshore innovation centers where the innovative achievements belong to affiliated enterprises in our city, joint applications may be submitted with such affiliated enterprises for municipal-level science and technology, industrial, and intellectual property projects; eligible projects may also apply for relevant science and technology innovation awards.
(5) R&D Subsidies. For service fees incurred from the use of shared scientific instruments and equipment, as well as testing and inspection service fees, by projects housed in the Regional Offshore Innovation Center or R&D projects of corporate offshore innovation centers, a subsidy of 20% of the service fees will be provided. The total annual subsidy for a single enterprise shall not exceed 200,000 yuan.
(6) Financial Support. Where the innovative achievements of projects housed in regional offshore innovation centers belong to affiliated enterprises in our city, the municipal angel investment fund and industrial investment fund will provide follow-up support to such projects in accordance with market-oriented principles.
(7) Performance-Based Incentives. Regional offshore innovation centers that receive an excellent rating in the annual performance evaluation will be awarded 1 million yuan.
(8) Risk Prevention and Control. For entities found to have engaged in fraud or misappropriated subsidy funds, the funds already disbursed will be recovered, and such entities will be dealt with in accordance with relevant regulations.
The funds involved in items (1), (2), and (7) of the above policies shall be shared equally between the municipal and respective city (district) finances; the funds involved in items (3), (4), and (5) shall be shared equally between the municipal and respective district finances, while Jingjiang City, Taixing City, and Xinghua City shall bear their own costs.
VII. Support Measures
(1) Strengthen Organizational Leadership. Under the unified leadership of the Municipal Party Committee’s Science and Technology Innovation Commission, the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau is responsible for the comprehensive coordination, goal breakdown, guidance and services, and supervision and inspection of the construction of offshore innovation centers. The Municipal Party Committee Organization Department (Talent Office), the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, the Finance Bureau, the Commerce Bureau, the Market Regulation Bureau, and the Local Financial Regulatory Bureau shall each fulfill their respective responsibilities, cooperate with one another, strengthen supervision and implementation, and coordinate the resolution of issues.The people’s governments of each city (district) and the Taizhou Pharmaceutical High-Tech Zone Administrative Committee shall establish working mechanisms to jointly advance the construction and development of the Offshore Innovation Center.
(2) Strengthen Support for Key Resources. The people’s governments of all cities (districts) and the Taizhou Pharmaceutical High-Tech Zone Administrative Committee shall, based on local conditions, formulate detailed supportive policies to promote the construction and operation of the Offshore Innovation Center and accelerate the implementation, transformation, and industrialization of innovation projects.Efforts must be made to accelerate the aggregation of innovation resources and build an innovation ecosystem chain covering R&D, incubation, transformation, and commercialization of science and technology projects. Performance management and contract compliance systems for resident enterprises (projects) must be established; entry and exit mechanisms must be improved; financial support must be strengthened; and the conversion of funds and services into equity for equity-based incubation must be explored to encourage more innovation projects to be commercialized in our city.
(3) Strengthen Supervision and Evaluation. Enhance the evaluation of high-quality development in the construction of offshore innovation centers, and ensure that the primary responsibility for their construction and the attraction and incubation of science and technology innovation projects is fulfilled. Based on the development, construction, and operational management of offshore innovation centers across the city, dynamically adjust the performance evaluation indicator system to enhance the scientific rigor, relevance, and effectiveness of performance evaluations.Establish a system for regular reporting, exchange, observation, and supervision to advance offshore innovation work, and strengthen the tracking, oversight, and inspection of all offshore innovation tasks. Promote the construction of offshore innovation demonstration zones, explore the formation of replicable and scalable models and practices, and provide relevant incentives and recognition to regions with notable achievements, thereby effectively leveraging the role of offshore innovation centers as a bridgehead for the incubation and attraction of science and technology innovation talent and projects.
