It was learned from the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology on July 29 that, according to the China Unicorn Enterprise Research Report 2026 and the China Potential Unicorn Enterprise Research Report 2026 released by Great Wall Strategy Consultants, Anhui had 19 unicorn enterprises and 44 potential unicorn enterprises in 2025, with both figures ranking sixth nationwide.

Unicorn enterprises are a hallmark of new quality productive forces. In recent years, Anhui has vigorously promoted science and technology-oriented investment promotion, deepened the reform of empowering job-related scientific and technological achievements, actively attracted high-level talent teams, established a well-functioning cluster of angel parent funds, regularly organized events such as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair and the University and Research Institute Roadshow, and built a cultivation database for unicorn and potential unicorn enterprises, achieving remarkable progress in enterprise cultivation.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Anhui achieved leapfrog growth in the number of unicorn enterprises, with its national ranking steadily improving and its competitive position continuing to strengthen. In 2020, the province had only one unicorn enterprise and ten potential unicorn enterprises, ranking 14th and seventh nationwide, respectively. By 2025, the number of unicorn enterprises had risen to 19 and potential unicorn enterprises to 44, with both ranking sixth nationwide, setting a new record for the province.

Anhui’s unicorn enterprises feature a distribution pattern of one core with multiple hubs, with Hefei serving as the primary innovation cluster. Unicorn and potential unicorn enterprises are distributed across nine cities. Hefei, the core hub, is home to 14 unicorn enterprises and 33 potential unicorn enterprises, accounting for 73.7% and 75% of the provincial totals, respectively. Wuhu and Chuzhou each have four enterprises, Bengbu and Xuancheng each have two, while Huainan, Anqing, Lu’an and Tongling each have one. All five newly recognized unicorn enterprises in 2025 are based in Hefei. Among the 12 newly recognized potential unicorn enterprises, 10 are located in Hefei, with one each in Wuhu and Xuancheng.

A total of 94.7% of the province’s unicorn enterprises and 84.1% of its potential unicorn enterprises have received investment from provincial government guidance funds, creating a dual-engine cultivation model that combines targeted investment attraction with local incubation. In terms of enterprise origins, 37 unicorn and potential unicorn enterprises were introduced from outside the province, accounting for 58.7% of the total. Nearly 90% of these companies were early-stage technology enterprises when first introduced and later grew into unicorn or potential unicorn enterprises through local cultivation. Among the locally cultivated unicorn and potential unicorn enterprises, 10 were spun off from large enterprises, eight resulted from the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements by universities and research institutes, and another eight were founded by high-level talent teams.

Anhui continues to strengthen its competitive industries while proactively developing future industries. The province’s unicorn enterprises are distributed across nine sectors, while potential unicorn enterprises span 18 sectors. Three sectors—integrated circuits, intelligent connected and new energy vehicles, and clean energy—account for more than 60% of the province’s unicorn enterprises and nearly half of its potential unicorn enterprises. The province is home to two unicorn enterprises in quantum technology, one in nuclear fusion, and one in synthetic biology.

Translated by Shao Hanzhe, intern

Source: Anhui Daily