In early 2026, 36-year-old engineer Sun Dawei made a pivotal career shift. After more than a decade at tech giants like Alibaba and TikTok in Singapore, he returned to his hometown in Anhui and founded his own company in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone.

The "Model Cube" is an AI open platform community (OPC) located in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, Anhui province. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

In recent years, Hefei high-tech zone has accelerated the development of the artificial intelligence industry and attracted overseas Chinese talent to launch business ventures. 

Drawing on his long-term experience in internet technology and cross-border e-commerce, Sun observed that large models and AI agents are reshaping enterprise production methods, particularly in key areas such as data research and development, content generation, and operational automation. 

Standing at a critical juncture of technological transformation, Sun decided to step out of his comfort zone and engage in innovative exploration at the underlying architecture level.

Sun's company Hefei Token Matrix Technology Co. Ltd. focuses on AI multimodal content generation and cross-border e-commerce. The firm explores an innovative fusion of AI, content production, e-commerce operations, and cultural globalization through AI agents.

The engineer worked with an AI system to build the entire business loop from content production to cross-border e-commerce, enabling one person to possess productivity comparable to that of a small team.

Sun said he also hopes to help other entrepreneurs navigate this new and more accessible path to start and scale a tech venture.

Currently, the Hefei high-tech zone is fully committed to building the "Model Cube," an AI open platform community. By improving policies, building platforms, and linking resources, it is engaging high-caliber personnel and technology entrepreneurs at home and abroad.

From initial intention to business startup, Sun's journey has received full support from the local government in terms of proactive and forward-leaning services. It has not only provided him with office space, but also dispatched a service team to assist him in clarifying supportive policies, identifying project direction, and addressing entrepreneurial challenges.

Sun's story offers one example of a broader shift. Across the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, other former tech employees are quietly starting similar ventures, often with little more than a laptop and an AI subscription.