Mixing espresso and business dreams at new innovative cafes
Print Edition
CAFES in Zhangjiang are a little bit different from those downtown. There is no sign of a sense of the bourgeoisie here, but rather a refreshingly practical attitude among customers and staff.
The Vπ on 635 Bibo Road is a typical place of such kind. Whether the city is in the chill of winter or the heat of summer, the coffee shop is always full of a welcoming fragrance.
With a mug of latte or a cup of double espresso investors and startup team members can share ideas and future profit models with each other or just simply brainstorm.
A business card is absolutely essential here as one of the people sitting at the next table is very likely to chip in millions of dollars or lead your way to NASDAQ or Hong Kong’s Growth Enterprise Market. Or hedge funds or venture capital firms may find seeded startups with the potential to be another Google, Apple or Alibaba.
Even the brand manager of the cafe is worth your visit. Nicknamed Xiao Tian, she is a legend in business circles — young entrepreneurs and investors alike.
A small meeting room behind glass walls, an amphitheater and a row of wooden bar stools against the wall enables activities from a road show to a lecture to an indoor swap meet. With 24-hour WiFi and a battery charging service, the coffee is perhaps the least on offer at Vπ.
A spiral staircase leads to the second floor and a shared working space.
Near Vπ, IC — integrated Circuit — coffee is another kind of existence. Five years ago, 100 IC and IT engineers invested 20,000 yuan (US$2,875) each to open the cafe. The initiator, surnamed Hu, says more outlets are coming.
IC has become a must-go-to among industry insiders in Zhangjiang. People go there for the latest industry releases, future pals or investors. Road shows, forums and seminars are held constantly, which makes it a Loca Sancta for science geeks.
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