From idea to life

Zhang Yichao calls himself a "dream creator". The 29-year-old, who returned from Japan three years ago with a master's degree in architecture, opened the company Dream Lab in the village.

Equipped with facilities such as robotic arms and 3D printers, the company serves as an incubator platform for college students and graduates who want to bring creative ideas to life.

"We support them throughout the entire process, from blueprint drafting and modeling to 3D printing, as well as market operations and packaging," he says, adding that the lab is currently helping a student produce a smart teacup that can display temperature and automatically select brewing methods based on different types of tea.

"The company is not making any profit, but I love what I do and believe in the power of creativity," Zhang says.

The daring spirit of young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams stems largely from the country's growing prowess in science and technology.

According to Zhang Zhihao, general manager of an investment firm that has funded over 10 startups in the village, AI technology has been empowering young people's dreams.

"Previously, I had to look for an extremely versatile project team. The lead creator of the project needed to be skilled in all aspects of the work, from giving ideas and manufacturing to team management and finance," he says. "But now, with AI technology, the targets of our investment only need to have one thing: an idea."