Remarkable Youth: Venture Capital Chronicles | The Dream Path of Young Craftsmen - Creating a Special Optical Fiber Belonging to the Chinese People

"I have dreamed of being a craftsman since I was a child. I like hands-on practice. As long as I get started, I am confident in understanding the essence of the problem and finding a solution." Huang Hongqi shared his feelings after being recognized as a dual-innovation talent in Jiangsu Province in 2021. In the company's laboratory, he proudly introduced his research and development equipment, "These are all independently developed by us. The control precision of this high-temperature evaporation system is leading internationally, and we have formed 25 patents for this equipment." He pointed to the company's patent display wall and introduced it proudly.

　　Turning dreams into reality in three years

Laser technology originated in the United States in the 1960s and is known as one of the "Four Great Inventions of the 20th Century" along with atomic energy, computers, and semiconductors. After its birth, the power of lasers continued to increase, but after more than 20 years of continuous growth, it encountered a bottleneck. Until 2018, three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking contributions in the field of laser physics. Half of the award was given to French scientist Mourou for proposing a method to produce high-intensity, ultra-short pulse lasers, which is currently the most advanced third-generation laser technology in the world—fiber lasers. For many years, domestic fiber lasers have been monopolized by foreign manufacturers, especially the core component of fiber lasers, rare-earth-doped double-clad fibers, which has become a bottleneck problem.

In 2020, a startup company named Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan Technology Co., Ltd. was established in Nanjing. The company mainly engages in the development of rare-earth-doped fiber preparation equipment and the research, production, and sales of rare-earth-doped fiber products. The core technology of the products is the use of high-temperature gas-phase doping technology to prepare rare-earth-doped fibers, with 25 patents applied for, aiming to break the monopoly of European and American companies in the field of rare-earth-doped fibers and create a special fiber belonging to the Chinese people. Rare-earth-doped fiber, as the name suggests, is to dope rare-earth materials into the fiber. The higher the quality of the rare-earth-doped fiber, the higher the requirements for the doping concentration and uniformity! However, all the preparation equipment for rare-earth-doped fibers relies on imports, and some have been banned from export to China. More importantly, the preparation process is controlled by foreign companies, which implement technology blockades against other manufacturers.

During his undergraduate studies, an experience in a college laser conduction project sparked Huang Hongqi's strong interest in laser research, leading him to delve into this field. After successfully being admitted to the graduate program in Optoelectronic Information Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, he joined the fiber laser and technology team at the National Optoelectronic Laboratory of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The research environment and the support of an excellent team helped him tremendously. Through years of diligent research and accumulation, Huang Hongqi mastered the technology of fiber lasers, filling his skill tree and becoming the technical leader in the laboratory. After graduating with a master's degree, Huang Hongqi resolutely gave up the direct doctoral opportunity offered by the laboratory and chose to enter the largest fiber company in China, Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Company Limited, intending to accumulate skills and experience in fiber production. "Only by facing the market and taking action can we truly discover problems"—at Yangtze Optical Fibre, Huang Hongqi started from the grassroots level, working his way up from frontline production processes to research and development testing, learning and accumulating diligently. In just three years, Huang Hongqi has become a leader in the industry.

　　The pandemic led to the ban on MVCD, igniting the spirit of entrepreneurship

The year 2020 was particularly special and memorable for founder Huang Hongqi. At that time, Wuhan was facing the test of COVID-19. In this critical moment, the international giant Optacore imposed an export ban on core equipment MVCD to China, further constraining the Chinese laser industry chain that was innovating independently. This dramatic change in the international situation also made Huang Hongqi determined—to start a business! To take responsibility! He resolved to develop his own production process, but producing a special fiber for the Chinese people meant starting from scratch, needing to develop 100% domestically produced rare-earth-doped fiber equipment and 100% domestically produced preparation processes, which required massive financial and time investments! At the moment of hesitation about starting his business, through a friend's introduction, Huang Hongqi learned about the policy support for young entrepreneurs in Nanjing. After careful consideration, he decided to come to Nanjing to pursue his entrepreneurial dream and raised over 2 million yuan to establish Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan Technology Co., Ltd.

At the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey, although they had just experienced a pandemic, the company's site selection, paperwork, employee recruitment, and all other tasks progressed very smoothly. Although it was hard work, seeing the dream getting closer step by step filled Huang Hongqi's heart with joy. However, as the equipment was set up and raw materials were purchased, the company's funds were heavily spent, and due to a lack of experience and lax contract reviews, some losses occurred. Huang Hongqi borrowed money from friends and relatives, and the company's financial situation even fell into a crisis at one point. The dream seemed visible but was hard to grasp.

At a turning point, Huang Hongqi participated in the selection of outstanding entrepreneurial projects for young college students in Nanjing and received an investment subsidy of 300,000 yuan from the Nanjing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and the Nanjing Innovation Investment Group. "I am very grateful to the Nanjing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and the Nanjing Innovation Investment Group. They often encourage and guide our startup team, helping us connect with the funding and resources we need, providing us with a lot of critical support," Huang Hongqi said. With the help of the Nanjing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and the Nanjing Innovation Investment Group, Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan Company gradually connected with financial institutions such as Nanjing United Property Exchange, Nanjing Bank, and Zijin Leasing, greatly alleviating cash flow pressure and gradually putting the enterprise on the right track.

　　Overcoming difficulties, an efficient R&D team is the confidence

As technology research and development progressed steadily, in just one year, Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan Technology Co., Ltd. had already cooperated with multiple companies, providing production and R&D services. Huang Hongqi has also received honors such as high-level talent in Xuanwu District and Jiangsu Province's "Double Innovation Plan" talent. "Being able to achieve revenue of over 2 million yuan through technical services within a year of the company's establishment, an excellent talent team is the primary factor for the success of Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan and its driving force for continuous progress." At the beginning of its establishment, Huang Hongqi cultivated a talented and experienced R&D team, consisting of master's and doctoral graduates from top domestic universities such as Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Southeast University. "Some of our team members came with me from Wuhan, while others were recruited in Nanjing. Although we didn't know each other before, we share the same aspirations in technology research and development and are all willing to work diligently. It is this quality that brought us together," Huang Hongqi said firmly when talking about his team members. It is precisely this talent advantage and innovative spirit that led to the independent development of domestically produced MCVD equipment by Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan in 2021. The production process of fiber preform has also reached a first-class level in the country, not only is the price much cheaper than imported products, but the yield of fiber preforms can reach over 50%, which is twice that of domestic competitors, and the production capacity exceeds three times that of traditional preparation of rare-earth-doped preforms, breaking the export ban and monopoly of European and American manufacturers on MCVD equipment. After learning the news, the foreign equipment manufacturer Nufern also engaged in innovative exchanges with the company to share cutting-edge international technology.

"What our country's laser industry needs is not to follow trends, but to bravely find new directions to break the deadlock. I hope our experience can inspire more domestic laser industry companies to break through more core technologies and work together to expand the laser industry," said Huang Hongqi. "Although our current product parameters are still a certain distance from the international top level, I will continue to innovate. I am confident that I can lead Nanjing Zhichun Hongyuan Guangsu to run at full speed and ultimately achieve world-leading status."