Talents in Auto Valley | Li Cheng: A Talent Thriving with the New Industrial City

In China Auto Valley, what surges forward endlessly is not only new vehicles rolling off production lines, but also a steady stream of talents resonating with local industries. Here, the solid industrial foundation of Auto Valley and the vigorous innovation power of outstanding talents empower each other, jointly fostering a sound ecosystem integrating industries and talents. Li Cheng and his enterprise, Wuhan Inno Sensing Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Inno Sensing), serve as a vivid example of mutual achievements between talents and industries on this vibrant land.

Attracting Talents via Sound Policies — Nurturing Blooms of Innovation Within merely five years, Inno Sensing has evolved rapidly from a startup team into a seed unicorn with an annual sensor output exceeding one million sets and annual revenue surpassing 100 million yuan. At present, the company boasts a professional team of over 350 members, including more than 120 R&D staff, and has established a comprehensive product portfolio covering three major systems: new energy vehicle powertrains, smart actuators and intelligent cockpits.

Adhering to the technical route combining domestic chips and independent design, the company has realized domestic substitution of core components such as current sensors and position sensors, with some products outperforming imported counterparts. In the controller sector, the team pursues full-stack independent R&D from the underlying layer to the application layer, building distinctive technological strengths. Up to now, the firm has developed more than 30 types of sensors, covering over 80% of domestic automaker brands, and serves mainstream vehicle manufacturers including Geely, Voyah and Seres with stable supplies.

“We have seized the historic opportunities brought by the growth of the new energy vehicle sector, and we also benefit tremendously from talent policies rolled out by Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone,” Li Cheng acknowledged. The company’s annual R&D investment stands at 30 million to 40 million yuan. At critical stages of corporate growth, startup grants under the Auto Valley Talent Program and equity investment from the Auto Valley Science & Technology Innovation Investment Fund have delivered solid support enabling the enterprise to focus on research and development. The rapid expansion of Inno Sensing vividly demonstrates the fruitful outcomes of talent initiatives in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone. In recent years, the zone has optimized and implemented the Talent-driven Zone Strategy Version 3.0, continuously polished the "Auto Valley Talents" brand, and advanced in-depth integration of talent chains and industrial chains. To date, the zone has recruited and cultivated 37 academicians and experts, 62 national and provincial key experts, 204 Wuhan Talents, 791 Auto Valley Talents and 355 government-subsidized experts, attracting 20,000 university graduates on average each year. A total of 500 million yuan has been allocated for talent programs, supporting 1,172 special projects for Auto Valley Talents and driving approximately 20 billion yuan of total project investment. On this fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship, leading enterprises such as Voyah and Neusoft have delivered landmark innovations, while emerging tech players like Inno Sensing have achieved breakthroughs in niche sectors. Together, they compose an inspiring story of talents spearheading industrial upgrading. Cultivating a Fertile Habitat — Building an Ecosystem for Talents through Targeted Services When starting a business in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone, what impresses Li Cheng most is not only support from industrial policies, but also thoughtful, all-round talent services. He recalled: “After I was selected for the district-level Auto Valley Talent Program, the Organization Department of the Party Working Committee maintained close contact with me. Thanks to our long-term communication, they later took the initiative to recommend me to apply for the higher-tier Wuhan Talent Program.” At the crucial stage of preparing application documents, officials paid on-site visits and offered one-on-one professional guidance covering document preparation and procedural coordination. “It felt as if we gained an additional entrepreneurial partner familiar with policies and formalities, who plans ahead for us whenever needs arise.” He is further impressed that thoughtful services in the zone extend to talents’ daily lives. “Young technical staff in our company have solved housing needs via talent apartments, and employees enlisted in talent programs can access vehicle purchase subsidies and exclusive discounts at sports venues.” He stated that these seemingly minor benefits allow team members to truly experience the warmth and sincerity of the city.

Today, Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone has built a full-spectrum talent service system covering eight areas including housing, medical care and finance, closely integrating with talents’ work and daily life. A total of 8,000 talent apartments have been put into operation. Youth talent stations covering three major areas provide free accommodation for university graduates seeking jobs in the zone to help young talents get a head start. Wuhan’s first talent service station has opened its doors, delivering one-stop services ranging from policy application and intellectual property protection to project declaration. Partnering with Hubei Bank and other institutions, customized financial products for talents and full-cycle financial support packages have been launched. “Entrepreneurs in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone can feel the genuine warmth the city offers innovators,” Li Cheng commented. This comprehensive service ecosystem serves as the strongest foundation for enterprises to attract and retain talents, enabling more entrepreneurs like him to operate steadily and devote themselves to innovation here. Embracing the Future — Writing a New Chapter via Win-Win Industry-Talent Integration Standing at a new starting point, Inno Sensing advances with firmer resolve. The enterprise will carry out in-depth cooperation with the School of Artificial Intelligence, Wuhan University, to explore innovative applications of AI technology in smart seats and production management. Meanwhile, it will develop its robot sensor team in Shanghai, prepare to set up a European subsidiary, and steadily push forward its internationalization strategy. “We aim to bring sensors manufactured in Auto Valley to the global market and showcase the strength of Chinese innovation to the world,” Li Cheng said with confidence and anticipation.

“In Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone, talents can access a broad platform to give full play to their capabilities while enjoying a high-quality, fulfilling life.” Li Cheng deeply recognizes that this virtuous cycle of mutual growth and shared achievements between talents and the city has fueled the rapid rise of innovative enterprises such as Inno Sensing, and further driven continuous optimization and upgrading of the entire regional industrial ecosystem. As talent development initiatives in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone continue to deepen, this dynamic land witnesses continuous integration of wisdom and dreams. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, centering on the strategic positioning of China Auto Valley, the zone will advance reforms on talent policies, upgrade innovation platforms, pioneer new models for talent recruitment and cultivation, and optimize the talent service ecosystem. It strives to build an industrially innovative highland and high-level talent cluster with nationwide influence. Continuous policy dividends and surging innovation vitality are attracting growing numbers of Auto Valley Talents to settle and thrive here. Nurturing each other and growing side by side, these talents and the city are jointly painting a new blueprint for high-quality development of China Auto Valley.