Shenzhen’s first technology incubator focused on the silver economy officially opened on October 23 at Yueshui Building in Luohu District. File photo

Shenzhen’s first technology incubator focused on the silver economy officially opened on October 23 at Yueshui Building in Luohu District.

The Shenzhen (Luohu) Silver Economy Technology Incubation and Acceleration Center was jointly established and is operated by AgeClub, also known as Beijing Yinzhu Yizu, and Gongshan Capital.

The opening event featured an exhibition of nearly 100 smart elderly-care products. The center also signed agreements with its first resident companies and presented plaques to 12 partners in the silver economy, including organizations involved in business referrals and overseas cooperation. Alibaba International, Meituan Elderly Care and the Russian-Chinese E-Commerce Association were among the partners linked to the center’s plans to connect business traffic, supply chains and overseas markets.

A supply-and-demand matchmaking event was held on the day of the opening, bringing together more than 80 companies and institutions for project presentations and one-to-one discussions.

The center covers about 3,100 square meters and includes exhibition and experience areas, office and incubation space, and facilities for roadshows and business matchmaking. Its integrated model combines product display, business incubation, capital support and overseas services.

Duan Mingjie, head of the center’s operations and founder of AgeClub, said Luohu’s location and commercial infrastructure made it a strong base for developing the sector. The district is a gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and home to a significant number of Hong Kong residents. It also attracts older people from Hong Kong who travel north for elderly-care services, while its ageing population has growing demand and purchasing power, he said.

Duan added that Luohu’s strengths in software and information services, artificial intelligence and life sciences align with the needs of smart elderly care. Its established financial, commercial and business services can support companies from research and testing through to payments and sales. Convenient primary medical services and a network of community elderly-care facilities also offer companies real-world settings in which to test products and put them into use.

Since 2024, Luohu has developed its silver economy strategy across four areas: policy, industry, application scenarios and consumption. The district issued Shenzhen’s first action plan for developing the smart elderly-care industry, launched the “Luoyiyang” smart elderly-care platform and established a three-tier sales system.

A district official said Luohu would use the center to support policy implementation, build industrial clusters, open up real-world application scenarios, connect companies with capital and overseas markets, and promote product exhibitions and sales.