Why a Former Deputy Mayor Quit to Open a Coffee Shop

When a former deputy mayor opens a coffee shop, people notice. In Wuxi, China, Gu Jianwei stepped down from his role as vice district chief to launch 3W Coffee—raising eyebrows and questions. Why leave a stable government position for a café? What’s really going on inside those 500 square meters of coffee and ambition?

Gu Jianwei, 40, quit his government post in July 2015 to found a startup incubator and co-working space centered around a coffee shop—not just to sell coffee, but to build an innovation ecosystem in Wuxi.

The Unlikely Coffee Shop Founder

Gu Jianwei wasn’t always eyeing espresso machines. The native Wuxi resident studied political science at Peking University, then returned home to climb the ranks of local government. By age 40, he had become one of the youngest division-level officials in the city—and the deputy head of Beitang District. But in a move few expected, he walked away from public office to open a coffee shop.

“Being a civil servant is just a job,” he said. “At 40, I wanted to do something I truly enjoyed. For me, that meant starting a business—not quitting, but choosing.”

More Than a Café

3W Coffee isn’t your typical café. Sure, it serves coffee. But its real mission is to support entrepreneurs. Gu’s official title is CEO of Wuxi Maker Space Incubator Co., Ltd., the startup behind the coffee shop. His team includes former government colleagues, retired corporate executives, and even a telecom manager now working the front desk.

The 500-square-meter space functions as both café and incubator. It hosts pitch meetings, networking salons, and workshops. Outside investors, media professionals, and successful entrepreneurs have joined as partners, offering pro bono services and mentorship. The goal? To create Wuxi’s most professional startup service hub—and eventually expand across the Yangtze River Delta.

“We’re not just serving coffee,” Gu said. “We’re connecting startups with resources, advice, and funding. This place is for everyone: founders, government officials, and industry players.”

Why Now? The 40-Year-Old Entrepreneur

By societal standards, Gu is an “older” entrepreneur. But he sees advantages in experience. “Young founders have energy and fresh ideas. I bring perspective and connections,” he said. “The best teams combine both.”

He’s already advising multiple early-stage projects. One, a digital parking solution called "CodeMove," lacked a viable business model—Gu steered it toward partnerships with insurers and mechanics. Another, a running shoe insole company called "SnailRun," pivoted to become a community-driven online brand after Gu advised reframing it for endurance athletes.

He personally reviews nearly every startup that walks into the café. “The biggest mistake founders make is isolating themselves,” he said. “You have to stay open, adapt, and keep learning.”

Behind the Decision

So why leave a secure government career at 40? For Gu, it came down to values. “If you measure life by money, a job is safer. But I measure by purpose,” he said. “Happiness and passion should be the only metrics.”

Family resistance? Yes. Friends thought he was crazy. Even his mother smashed a glass table during an argument—later replacing it with a wooden one she adored. “I told her: the glass broke, so the wood came,” he said. In the end, they supported him.

Two close friends died suddenly around the time he resigned—one from bone cancer, the other a heart attack. “It was a wake-up call,” Gu admitted. “Life is short. If you want to chase something, do it now.”

As for the rumors—that he quit to wash money or flee scandal? “People will assume what they want,” he shrugged. “I’m focused on building something real.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Gu Jianwei really quit being a deputy mayor?

Gu Jianwei, who was 40 at the time, left his role as vice district chief in Wuxi to pursue entrepreneurship. He said he no longer found fulfillment in being a civil servant and wanted to focus on what made him happy: building a business and supporting startups. He specifically wanted to create an innovation ecosystem in Wuxi through 3W Coffee.

What is 3W Coffee, exactly?

3W Coffee is a 500-square-meter café and startup hub in Wuxi founded by former deputy mayor Gu Jianwei. While it serves coffee, its primary mission is to support entrepreneurs through networking, mentorship, resource sharing, and access to investors. It also functions as the physical base for Gu’s startup incubator, Wuxi Maker Space Incubator Co., Ltd.

Who works with Gu at 3W Coffee?

Gu’s team includes former government colleagues, retired executives from state-owned enterprises, a former telecom manager now handling front-desk duties, and external partners such as investors, media professionals, and successful entrepreneurs. Together, they offer services like legal advice, funding connections, and technical consulting—many for free or at low cost.

What kinds of startups does 3W Coffee support?

3W Coffee works with early-stage ventures like “CodeMove,” a digital parking solution, and “SnailRun,” a running shoe insole company that pivoted to become a community-focused fitness brand. Gu personally advises many of the founders, helping them refine their business models, improve scalability, and connect with resources.

How does Gu Jianwei make money from the coffee shop?

While the café does serve coffee, Gu is not focused on beverage sales as the main revenue stream. Instead, 3W Coffee generates income through service fees, including business consulting, resource matchmaking, investment returns, equity stakes, and premium membership offerings such as a US$2,800 (20,000 RMB) crowdfunding membership card that includes event hosting and private advisory sessions.

Is this just another government-backed incubator?

No. Although Gu previously worked in government, 3W Coffee is a privately-run startup ecosystem project. His team aims to deliver more efficient, market-driven services to entrepreneurs than traditional government programs. The goal is to create a self-sustaining innovation hub by leveraging local industry knowledge and private-sector expertise.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Entrepreneurs

Start your day right with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—a bright, juicy Ethiopian single origin with notes of blueberry and citrus, perfect for sharp decision-making. Pair it with the Yirgacheffe, offering floral aromas and a sweet, tea-like body to keep you energized through long meetings. For deeper focus, try the PWN Golden Mandheling: a balanced Indonesian classic with low acidity and rich chocolate tones. All three are ideal for fueling creative work sessions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.