On the morning of October 15, 2022, the ZIBS Innovation Center Entrepreneurship Camp kicked off its October Road Show at Hai Club on the International Campus.

The panel of judges is composed of six members, including Zhejiang University-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI) Assistant Professor YANG Liangjing, ZJUI Assistant Professor WANG Gao'ang, ZIBS Professor WANG Zhengren, ZIBS Assistance Dean SHEN Li, Director of ZIBS Innovation Center YAN Cui, and ZIBS Academic Director SHAO Hui. Song Lijing, Secretary General of ZIBS Innovation Center, hosted the event.

A total of three teams from ZIBS participated in the road show, namely:

• iMBA team led by JI Lei "A Smart Factory Based on Machine Vision Application"
• iMBA team led by ZHANG Fengxiang "Hold the Claw": In the Company of Pets
• iMBA team led by WANG Xu "Research on Art Education and Cultural Communication"

Group 1: "A Smart Factory Based on Machine Vision Application"
 

The first team, composed of students of ZIBS iMBA Class 2020, introduced their project "A Smart Factory Based on Machine Vision Application". Team representative JI Lei introduced that they would focus on the segmented fields of machine vision in the short term, and develop resources and technologies based on the automation industry in the future to become a solution provider for smart factories. The team analyzed the development of the current automation market in China and key issues that currently constrain the development, hoping to realize the interconnection between equipment through digitization and to establish an all-around factory network of measurement, detection, identification and guidance. The team have applied for a number of invention patents, and they are currently exploring their own business models and marketing strategies.
 

YANG Liangjing: Do your solutions fit well the key issues that currently constrain the development of the industry?

JI Lei: Machine vision just began to develop in recent years, so our solutions are classified into four typical categories according to the current needs of customers. To resolve the key issues that currently constrain the development of the industry, efforts must be made in various aspects. For example, the industry needs further development and some imported products must be replaced by homegrown products. The advantages of our team lie in lower labor costs and relatively flexible customized development for small businesses.

YANG Liangjing: As you mentioned intelligence and digitization, what do you think of digital twin?

JI Lei: At present, Most domestic industries are still in the 2.0 era. China's manufacturing transformation is a long process, and the infrastructure still needs to be improved. The concept of digital twin is very good. It can help us with our research, development, production and management. However, it is now difficult for most domestic projects to achieve commercialization, so it is not a good time to get involved in this field. Anyway, it is a key field that we need to make breakthroughs in the future.

WANG Gao'ang: You are engaged in a wide range of business. How do you meet the needs of different customers?

JI Lei: We are now focusing on semiconductors and panels for the automation industry. Based on years of industry experience, we can meet the needs of customers, select the appropriate configuration, and lower production costs. With years of experience in manufacturing and equipment, our team can improve customized services for customers and enhance our attractiveness through lower labor costs.

YAN Cui: Is this vision system installed in the construction of the production line or installed after the construction? Which of the two modes is more common?

JI Lei: They are both our business modes. The first is to get involved in the design of machine vision in the planning of production line, and the other is to carry out transformation and upgrading after the construction of production line. The former is more common than the latter because of the high cost and long cycle of retrofit.

WANG Zhengren: From a commercial point of view, is this machine vision developed according to the needs of customers? Have you considered developing overseas markets?

JI Lei: Yes, it's all customized. Domestic new energy and photovoltaic enterprises are developing overseas, and our business will also expand overseas with them. Overseas competition is not as fierce as at home, and we remain optimistic about expanding outward.

Group 2: "Hold the Claw": In the Company of Pets

The second team is the "Hold the Claw": In the Company of Pets Project of ZIBS iMBA students admitted in 2020. Team representative ZHANG Fengxiang introduced that the rapid increase of pet owners and pets has made walking pets and playing with pets an emerging industry. The team members are all professional and experienced pet lovers. Initially based on mini program, they provide a full range of brand services for pet owners who cannot feed and accompany their pets due to business trips, long vacations, etc.

YANG Liangjing: In terms of apps, what is your business mode?

ZHANG Fengxiang: Currently, we are running a business platform, initially accumulating customers, accumulating experience, conducting analysis and research, and formulating specifications. Our purpose is to provide pet owners with a formal platform with different service options and a way for pet walkers to enhance the slash effect.

SHEN Li: In terms of product thresholds, how do you enhance your brand competitiveness? Where are you headed in the future?

ZHANG Fengxiang: We hope to build "Hold the Claw" into a pet brand, and comprehensively upgrade the brand service coverage from pet services. The areas that are expected to be covered include pet medical treatment (partnership), pet rescue (public welfare), pet-related peripheral product sales (e-commerce), pet boarding and breeding, pet owner experience exchange and offline activities (pet-related online community), etc. We may cover all business segments related to pets, with an ultimate service goal of "Make Owners Relieved and Pets Happy". We will build "Hold the Claw" as the main body of we-media operation, generate brand effect, utilize customer traffic, and enhance brand awareness. As the brand matures, we will utilize big data to more accurately grasp the development hotspots of the pet market and further enhance our presence in the market.

WANG Zhengren: In terms of safety and dispute resolution, how do you obtain the trust of pet owners? Do you have a risk compensation mechanism?

ZHANG Fengxiang: For pet owners, we add single consumption insurance as an option to the order page. Pet owners can choose whether to purchase additional insurance.
For pet walkers, we recruit permanent pet walkers, add insurance options as a supplement during the contract period, specify relevant binding clauses, and strictly regulate the behavior of pet walkers. We also have protective measures and pre-job training for pet walkers.
When placing an order, customers should have an idea of a pet's aggressivity. For example, no order can be placed for a large aggressive dog (those aggressive dogs that are banned in Hangzhou City). A pet walker may be added according to the size of a large dog. When placing an order, pet owners should provide information about a pet's habits and characteristics so that we can offer higher-quality services.
 

Group 3: Research on Art Education and Cultural Communication

The third team was Yili Xinghe Cultural Media Studio, whose representative WANG Xu introduced the project of Research on Art Education and Cultural Communication. The business scope of the Studio includes publication of tutorial textbooks and student training for the art college entrance examination; planning and production of enterprise promotional videos, advertising films, and film and television works; planning and contracting of commercial performances, and planning and operations of events; training, publicity and image design of art talent, and e-commerce live streaming. The team members have rich experience in student training for the art college entrance examination, and compiled the Tutorial Textbook of Film and Television Production, which has been affirmed by the Communication University of China Press. The project takes campus entrepreneurship as a starting point to build its own brand through Internet marketing.

YAN Cui: What is the content update speed and innovation cycle of your published textbook like?

WANG Xu: Our textbooks are compiled according to the sound teaching system based on our teaching experience. We will also try our best to satisfy the market demand, quickly update the textbook content, and continuously obtain economic and social benefits.

WANG Zhengren: The project focuses on senior high school student training for the art college entrance examination. However, many off campus are interested in film and television production. It is difficult for them to go back to school for further study. Do you consider enrolling those people?

WANG Xu: While training senior high school students for the art college entrance examination, we would like to expand the business to the film and television industry. We will develop respective teaching courses for different groups of people, and strive to create a comprehensive art teaching system that meets the needs of the majority. Yili Xinghe Studio does not pursue examination-oriented education, but aims to cultivate practitioners who love film and television and make contributions to the development of the film and television industry. Therefore, friends of different occupations and ages are welcome to join us.

WANG Gao'ang: What do you think of the structure of the training sector for the art college entrance examination in Zhejiang Province? What is the difference between the project and the traditional training sector for the art college entrance examination?

WANG Xu: Large classes prevail in Zhejiang Province. However, Yili Xinghe Studio prefers small classes and premium classes, which ensure good connectivity with students. Small classes do not mean that we gain less. Through premium classes, we can help students deliver a better performance, build up our reputation and achieve a brand effect. Our studio engages in producing promotional films, image design of art talent and e-commerce live streaming, so we can train them for the industrial chain in the later stage.
 

About ZIBS Entrepreneurship Camp

More excellent entrepreneurship projects are welcome to join ZIBS Innovation Center. Please scan the QR code to apply for the roadshow: