How Lei Jun and a Partner Launched Startup Coffee in Chengdu

In China’s booming startup ecosystem, entrepreneurs often struggle to find early funding, mentorship, or even a place to pitch ideas. For many, the answer isn’t a co-working space or an accelerator—but a coffee shop. Specifically, one backed by high-profile investors who are actively looking for the next big thing over a cup of coffee.

Yes, Lei Jun—founder of Xiaomi—and his partner Li Ruxiong are opening a startup-focused coffee shop in Chengdu. With an initial 20 million RMB (about $2.8 million) investment, the 3,000-square-meter venue in Pixian District is set to open in mid-April, with plans to expand to 4–5 locations within six months.

What Is a Startup Coffee Shop?

A startup coffee shop isn’t just about caffeine—it’s a physical hub where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts meet, network, and collaborate. Think of it as a café crossed with an incubator. The most famous examples include Beijing’s Garage Café and Guangzhou’s 3W Coffee. These spaces host pitch events, workshops, and informal deal-making over coffee and snacks.

In the case of the Chengdu location, the coffee shop is an extension of Wuhan’s long-running “Optics Valley Startup Coffee” , co-founded by Lei Jun and Li Ruxiong. Their original location opened in 2013 and became a well-known meeting point for tech founders and early-stage investors. The new Chengdu shop will follow the same model but with local focus on mobile internet talent and projects.

Why Chengdu? Why Now?

Li Ruxiong said the decision to expand to Chengdu came after just two or three visits over a few months. He cited the city’s strong government support, efficient bureaucracy, and deep pool of mobile internet talent as key factors. Chengdu has also shown rapid growth in its startup scene, with a stable talent pipeline drawing from surrounding cities.

“The leadership here is highly supportive, and they move fast,” Li explained. Unlike other cities that approached him, Chengdu acted quickly with mature design proposals and solid policy backing. The Pixian site, located on Hongqi Avenue in the district’s innovation zone, will also serve as the anchor for a planned entrepreneurial street.

What Will Happen Inside the Chengdu Coffee Shop?

The coffee shop won’t just serve drinks. It will host regular startup training sessions, angel investment meetups, and project incubation activities. The flagship drink is a 15 RMB cappuccino branded as “” (Startup Coffee), featuring a custom “” (innovation) logo. The space includes bookshelves, chalkboards, posters, and a large screen—all reinforcing the startup theme.

Entrepreneurs like Du Bing have already used the Wuhan location to pitch ideas such as an O2O fresh food delivery project. Some, like Du, have caught the attention of investors like Li Ruxiong. The goal is to find “the next small Xiaomi”—a reference to the duo’s ambition to discover the next major tech success story.

The café’s design includes subtle entrepreneurial symbols throughout. Even the “” logo has layered meaning: the two C’s represent Capital and Coffee or Coffee and Creation, while the I’s stand for Investment and Incubation. The café is intended to be both a business development tool and a community hub.

What’s the Business Model Behind Startup Cafés?

Unlike traditional cafés, these spaces aim to generate value through deal flow, not just coffee sales. Li Ruxiong admits that individual locations may lose money—his Wuhan shop reportedly loses around 30,000 RMB per month—but sees the real value in connecting people. “This is a platform for innovation incubation, startup training, and angel investment. That’s worth far more than selling coffee,” he said.

The original Optics Valley location saw heavy foot traffic within months of opening in January 2013. It hosted frequent lectures, pitch events, and networking nights. Notably, a late-night visit by then-Wuhan mayor in May 2013 underscored local government interest. The mayor even wrote an encouraging message in the guestbook: “Where there is a dream, there is a future. Only persistence leads to success.”

What’s the Plan for Expansion?

Beyond the first Chengdu location, Li Ruxiong and Lei Jun plan to open 4–5 similar cafés in the area within six months. These will form part of a larger entrepreneurial district anchored by the Pixian café. The team is targeting mobile internet projects primarily, but will consider any strong team with a viable, non-money-burning idea.

“We’re not limiting ourselves to a specific sector, but mobile internet is definitely a focus,” Li said. “The project must have a capable team—management, technical, supply chain—and shouldn’t rely on endless funding. My limit for angel investments is 5 million RMB.”

The Pixian café will also help establish an innovation street, creating a physical ecosystem for startups beyond just the coffee shop. The broader goal remains finding that rare, high-potential project that could become the next big thing—with or without coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Lei Jun and Li Ruxiong?

Lei Jun is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, and chairman of Wuhan Optics Valley Startup Coffee. Li Ruxiong is a veteran entrepreneur, former president of Lianbang Software and founding shareholder of 8848 E-commerce, and general manager of Optics Valley Startup Coffee.

Where is the new Chengdu coffee shop located?

The first location will be in Pixian District, Chengdu, on Hongqi Avenue. It covers approximately 3,000 square meters and is set to open in mid-April.

How much did they invest in the Chengdu project?

The initial investment is 20 million RMB (around $2.8 million), funded jointly by Lei Jun and Li Ruxiong.

What kind of coffee do they serve?

The signature drink is a 15 RMB cappuccino called “” (Startup Coffee), featuring a custom “” logo. Regular coffee options are also available, but the focus is on creating a space for startups, not just serving premium brews.

Will there be more locations?

Yes, the partners plan to open 4–5 similar coffee shops in Chengdu within six months, using the first location as an anchor for a broader entrepreneurial district.

What’s the main goal of these startup coffee shops?

Beyond selling coffee, the cafés aim to connect entrepreneurs with investors, provide training, host pitch events, and incubate promising projects. The real goal is finding the next major startup success.