How 3W Coffee Became a Startup Hub in Beijing

In the heart of Beijing’s tech district, a struggling coffee shop found new life—not by selling more lattes, but by becoming the unofficial headquarters for China’s next generation of entrepreneurs. At 3W Coffee, nestled on the bustling south end of Zhongguancun’s Startup Street, founders, coders, and dreamers didn’t just meet over coffee—they built companies, hired teams, and launched careers, often before the lights went out at night.

3W Coffee became a startup hub by combining a café, incubator, and recruitment platform—all under one roof—supporting over 20 graduated startups that raised a combined $28 million, while also spinning off the successful job site LaGou.com.

A Café That Never Sleeps—For Entrepreneurs

Night after night, 3W Coffee stayed open long after other cafés closed, waiting patiently for the last founder to pack up. On one occasion, staffer Xiao Yuanlei worked alone until 10:40 p.m., surrounded by marketing plans and brochures, while the staff quietly held the fort until he left. This wasn’t unusual. For many like Xiao, who left a stable job in Harbin to chase dreams in Beijing, 3W wasn’t just another coffee spot—it was home.

“I’m still looking for my co-founder. Maybe he’ll walk in with a coffee one day,” Xiao said, echoing the hopes of countless others drawn to the café’s unique energy. Even a massage startup called “Kung Fu Bear” became a regular, sending costumed therapists to offer free shoulder rubs to overworked coders—an example of the spontaneous, community-driven culture 3W fostered.

More Than a Cup of Coffee: The Birth of a Startup Ecosystem

Launched on August 6, 2011—the 20th anniversary of the internet in China—3W was named after “www” and quickly became a magnet for tech-minded individuals. Its three-story layout buzzed with activity: the ground floor welcomed anyone with a laptop and curiosity; the second hosted pitch sessions, investor talks, and strategy debates; and the third floor housed a fully equipped incubator.

The café’s early days were humble, operating out of tight quarters at Cube Court. But its reputation as a place for open exchange grew. “Ideas clash, problems get solved, and sometimes you find your next developer or investor just by chatting over coffee,” said 68-year-old Liu Huanching, who launched his fifth startup—a 3D pocket museum—there, eventually winning orders from Christie’s and angel investment.

Coffee Meets Careers: How LaGou.com Was Born

As 3W’s popularity soared, so did the demand for talent. Startups routinely asked the café to recommend engineers or designers, sometimes needing someone to start in just three days. The team realized they could do more than make introductions—they could build a solution. Soon after relocating to its current larger space, 3W helped launch LaGou.com, a job platform tailored for the tech industry.

On December 13, the platform hosted its first “Internet Recruitment Storm Week,” drawing crowds of job seekers and employers. With no barriers to competition, companies sat side by side as candidates moved freely between booths. Resume reviews were fast, salaries were transparent, and decisions happened on the spot. One candidate, Cai Qinyu, 27, found a team within hours, promoting his search for a “development guru” via an iPad sign. Another, Yuan Ruping, 26, interviewed with eBag Wash CEO Lu Wenying and received a job offer the same day. He started just three days later—a hiring timeline unheard of in traditional industries.

By late 2014, LaGou.com had secured $34 million across three funding rounds, surpassing the valuation of 3W Coffee itself. The once-money-losing café had found its formula: a café for connection, a platform for hiring, and an incubator for innovation.

Building Dreams for $999 a Month

Upstairs on the third floor, 3W’s incubator offered more than just desk space. For just $999 a month per workstation—far below the area’s typical office rents—startups gained access to shared amenities: free electricity, Wi-Fi, water, and even cloud storage. Meals were subsidized, with box lunches available at cost.

Here, young teams like BeiKe Technology—founded by Yan Hengjia and Zeng Pengxuan—worked tirelessly, often seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., unpaid but driven by passion. Thanks to Zhongguancun’s policy allowing registration using a café workstation address, they launched their company officially from 3W, using workstation No. 3-68 as their legal address.

By that time, 20 companies had already “graduated” from the 400-square-meter space, collectively raising $2 million in investment. The open-plan layout encouraged collaboration, spontaneous brainstorming, and even new partnerships. “We share the ups and downs. It feels less lonely,” one founder noted. The incubator also hosted regular lectures from 160+ investors and entrepreneurs—including Chen Datong, founder of two U.S.-listed firms and a partner at Huashan Capital—who shared hard-earned wisdom with monthly audiences of over 160 attendees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 3W Coffee and where is it located?

3W Coffee is a Beijing café founded in 2011 at the heart of Zhongguancun’s Startup Street, known for fostering entrepreneurship through a combined café, incubator, and recruitment platform.

How did 3W Coffee support startups beyond serving coffee?

Beyond offering workspace, 3W provided networking opportunities, pitch events, mentorship, and eventually launched LaGou.com, a tech-focused job platform to help startups hire quickly and efficiently.

What is the story behind LaGou.com?

LaGou.com was created by 3W to address the hiring challenges faced by its café community. It became a leading tech job platform, raising over $34 million and growing faster than the café itself.

How much does it cost to join 3W’s incubator?

Startups can rent a workstation in 3W’s incubator for $999 per month, with additional perks like free internet, electricity, water, and cloud storage included.

What kinds of companies have come out of 3W’s incubator?

Over 20 companies have graduated from 3W’s 400-square-meter incubator space, collectively raising $2 million in investment, with some securing deals with global firms like Christie’s.

Does 3W Coffee still operate today?

Yes, 3W Coffee continues to function as both a café and entrepreneurial hub, maintaining its role at the center of Beijing’s startup ecosystem.