The inaugural Hurun China Under25s 2024 list, released on December 16, spotlights China’s entrepreneurial pioneers aged 25 and under. Among the honorees are two innovators from ShanghaiTech University, Su Rui ’23, and third-year master’s student Zhang Qixuan ’22, who have made remarkable achievements in biomaterials and visual technology, respectively.
Su Rui
Su Rui, CEO of SynMetabio, a ShanghaiTech spinoff, is a graduate of class of 2023 in Biomedical Engineering. During his studies, Su demonstrated a strong interest in materials science, delving deeply into the interdisciplinary field of biology and materials, with a focus on synthetic biomaterials and engineering.
By taking innovation and entrepreneurship courses, Su gained a clear understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape. In 2021, he and his team secured a global Second Runner Up, as well as awards for Best New Application and Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, at the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM). He also won first prize in the student category at the ShanghaiTech 4th Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summit and earned angel funding to further his business ideas.
In early 2022, leveraging the university’s incubator resources, Su founded SynMetabio, marking a significant step in his entrepreneurial journey. The company specializes in the production of novel biomaterials, primarily leather-like materials, which are widely used in apparel, footwear, bags, and automotive interiors.
Zhang Qixuan
Zhang Qixuan, the CTO of Deemos, another ShanghaiTech-incubated enterprise, began his study as an undergraduate in the School of Information Science and Technology (SIST) in 2018 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at SIST’s Visual & Data Intelligence Center. His academic work focuses on cutting-edge technologies in the digital human field, particularly deep learning and computer vision.
In 2020, Zhang co-founded Deemos with his lab partner Wu Di ’19 MS ’23, successfully translating their lab’s groundbreaking research in facial reconstruction and 3D generative models into practical applications. The company is at the forefront of developing ultra-realistic 3D digital human technology, with a goal of advancing artificial intelligence and computer vision applications in the digital human industry.
Other remarkable entrepreneurs from ShanghaiTech University
Wu Di is Zhang Qixuan’s co-founder of Deemos. While on campus, Wu and his lab team developed the Dome Light Field System, the world’s most precise facial scanning technology, which was used in the production of The Wandering Earth 2.
Lv Wentao ’18 MS ’21, a member of ShanghaiTech’s first undergraduate cohort, founded Stereye during his graduate study. His company explores the potential of 3D digital technology in smart cities, aiming to bridge the gap between digital and smart city technologies.
Entrepreneurial support at ShanghaiTech University
These young entrepreneurs agree that ShanghaiTech’s robust support system and open academic environment were crucial to their success. The university fosters the transformation of research into real-world applications, encouraging faculty and students to act on innovative ideas when the time is right. Its early-stage incubator offers entrepreneurs access to high-quality shared office space and essential infrastructure. Additionally, the Office of Technology Transfer organizes entrepreneurship workshops and pitch conferences, creating platforms for knowledge sharing, project showcasing, and securing funding opportunities.
Beyond supporting student startups, ShanghaiTech also encourages its faculty to engage in original scientific research and file high-value patents. Since 2018, the university has generated over 7 billion RMB in cumulative patent licensing revenue, ranking among China’s top universities in this area. More than 50 spinoffs, covering fields like biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and new energy, have secured early-stage funding with a total valuation nearing 7 billion RMB.
ShanghaiTech University continues to play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, providing an environment where entrepreneurial talents can thrive and contribute to the advancement of science and technology.