A guitar's trip of innovation, globalization

Zhongguancun industrial zone in Haidian, Beijing has been transformed into a nationwide incubator for entrepreneurship and innovation. [Photo Provided to China Daily]

In Beijing's Haidian Book City, an incubator for innovation helps startups, including the company behind the 'poputar' smart guitar, become a success

Zhang Bohan used to strolled over to the Haidian Book City in northwest Beijing in 2005. The cultural landmark, one of the largest bookstores in the Chinese capital, was the ideal destination for the then 15-year-old guitar-lover to buy CDs.

At that time, it seemed impossible for him to predict that the old building at the center of Zhongguancun industrial zone would be transformed into a nationwide incubator for entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Zhongguancun Inno Way company, which is headquartered in the Haidian Book City area, is now a new landmark of innovation with various well-known incubators, such as Garage Cafe, Kr Space and Legend Star.

As "a platform of incubators," the Inno Way has met with great success in the past three years, serving as a bridge for both Chinese and international startups, markets and investment.

Three years ago, with the invention of a smart guitar, Zhang started a business, Popumusic, after dropping out of the University of California, San Diego.