Tianhe's commitment to fostering innovation was highlighted this year when XPeng Motors founder He Xiaopeng addressed China's annual legislative session. He recalled a pivotal early grant from the district that helped his first company, UC, stay afloat. This support demonstrated Tianhe's commitment to building an environment where startups can grow.

Policy frameworks have evolved in phases, from initial incubator support to integrated systems like the "1+1+8" policy package and the recent "12126" industrial layout. Efforts now concentrate on key sectors including artificial intelligence and biomedicine.

Infrastructure for innovation has expanded beyond financial aid. Since 2015, Tianhe has run THero, an innovation platform that combines pitch competitions, an international tech festival, and incubation services. It now connects with partners in more than 37 cities worldwide and has drawn over 12,000 projects. At the community level, Tianhe has introduced targeted programs that bring business services directly to companies, reducing administrative hurdles and accelerating support.

The THero platform launched by Tianhe is designed to integrate talent, capital, technology, industry and service chains into a unified innovation ecosystem. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Business-friendly reforms have also been implemented. Tianhe introduced "enjoyment without application" services to simplify administrative processes and created dedicated communication channels for tech firms. By late 2025, the district was home to more than 760,000 registered enterprises. High-tech firms and technology-oriented SMEs each accounted for over 20% of Guangzhou's companies, and Tianhe's GDP had consistently grown, reflecting the strength of its innovation-driven economy.

Culturally, Tianhe promotes the "Keyun Road Spirit", a narrative celebrating the district's gritty entrepreneurial roots. Efforts to build talent communities and innovation clusters aim to turn that spirit into lasting networks. Today, with 43 of Guangzhou's unicorn companies based in Tianhe — over 20 percent of the city's total — the district has moved from offering isolated support to fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem for innovation.

Tianhe is cultivating a sustainable innovation ecosystem through integrated policy, platform, and community development. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]