Too much of a good thing? Chinese makerspace guru sees tough times ahead as competitors crowd in

When Chinese Premier Li Keqiang dropped by Xu Dandan’s 3W Coffee spot in May, it was not just for a vanilla cappuccino but a real taste of what life is like for start-ups in the country’s technological hub.

The high-profile visit to Zhongguancun in the national capital was seen as a gesture of support for China’s ambitions for innovation and entrepreneurship. China’s leaders are promoting innovation in an attempt to reverse a slowdown in the economy and to promote restructuring.  

 While the premier’s visit was certainly a boost for 3W, Xu also sees hard days ahead as competition grows among makerspaces – many of them run by inexperienced and unprofessional players.

Established in 2011, 3W Coffee was China’s first crowdfunded start-up cafe and has since evolved into a makerspace and meeting place for new firms and investors. Makerspaces are workshops for internet start-up entrepreneurs and 3W is one of the most successful in Beijing.

“The premier wanted to get a comprehensive and real picture of how start-ups were made, and that’s why he picked 3W,” Xu said.

Xu said officials from the premier’s office visited Zhongguancun a couple of times in the weeks before the visit to sound out 3W and other start-up cafes.

He said Li was glad to see so many young people at 3W who embraced hopes and dreams.