This case is derived from Shunde District of Foshan City in Guangdong Province. Promoted by Shunde District Party Committee, Shunde District Government, and entrepreneurs in the district, Shunde District Entrepreneurship and Innovation Foundation was established and registered with Foshan Bureau of Civil Affairs in January 2017. The mission of the foundation is to empower youth, drive innovations, and promote entrepreneurship. Therefore, the foundation dedicates itself to four tasks: 1) supporting and funding youth entrepreneurial projects that promote social innovation, 2) promoting communication and collaboration among various industries, 3) creating new modes of support for entrepreneurial projects, and 4) cultivating an entrepreneurial environment that is conducive to social sustainability.

The foundation targets upstream issues of youth entrepreneurship and innovation projects. Consequently, it provides seed funding for young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to experiment with innovative ideas and establish new business models. There are at least 30 successful applicants for the seed funding annually, each receiving the fund up to 700,000 RMB per year. Although the seed funding is open for all types of startup projects in every conceivable industry, preference is given to those that are aligned with Shunde District’s pillar industries and have the potential of promoting the district’s sustainable development. Moreover, the foundation attempts to cultivate a sustainable entrepreneurial culture by attracting and channeling venture capital into youth entrepreneurial projects that are oriented toward social innovations.

Noteworthy in this case are the three factors contributing to the foundation’s success. The first is that the foundation has built a professional team and leveraged multiple social forces and resources, which in turn has secured all-round support for youth entrepreneurial projects. The second factor is that the foundation has established a management system encompassing project management, financial management, investment management, and information transparency. This system has paved the way for the foundation’s effective operation. The third factor is that the foundation gives priority to those youth entrepreneurial projects that can both increase the competitiveness of the district’s existing pillar industries and promote the district’s long-term social sustainability.