Amid the widespread emergence of AI technology and increasingly diverse entrepreneurial models, lightweight business structures like OPC (One-Person Company) are becoming a preferred choice for many tech entrepreneurs. In Shanghai’s downtown Force Community 943, located at the intersection of three subway lines, this new model is taking root and flourishing. Zhang Shenshen, operations lead at WenDian Technology, works from this very location.
“We chose the OPC model primarily because of our business characteristics,” Zhang told reporters. “Our focus is on open-door cabinet systems within the unmanned retail sector. When customers take products from the cabinet, the system automatically identifies what was taken and how many items. The service process is relatively straightforward, so we don’t need a large team.”
Zhang previously worked at an AI technology company. Now, as an OPC entrepreneur, he independently operates unmanned retail-related businesses. The venture officially launched operations in 2025 and has been based in the OPC community for just over three months. Building on a mature domestic business foundation, Zhang also shared his company’s future market strategy and development plans.
“Domestically, our open-door cabinet business holds a leading position with substantial scale,” he said. “However, growth has slowed over the past two years compared to earlier periods. Overseas, this type of business is still relatively uncommon. Therefore, our next step is to follow our clients and explore whether there are more opportunities in international markets.”
From “Full Marks” to “Expansion Concerns” “On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d rate the OPC community’s services a 5,” Zhang remarked—a significant statement from a pragmatic entrepreneur. “The overall experience has been excellent, mainly due to three factors: First, the location is extremely convenient, situated downtown with three subway lines intersecting—we can walk to the office right after exiting the station. Second, the services are very attentive, with dedicated staff providing one-on-one support. Third, the community regularly organizes policy briefing sessions, inviting government officials to explain regulations face-to-face.”
“Before, we had to search for policy information online, which often led to misunderstandings or missed details. Now, through direct communication, we receive high-quality support,” he added.
Beyond these services, Zhang highlighted the community’s computing power support policy as particularly appealing. “Our retail operations require 24/7 computing resources. Other services, such as talent recruitment and investment support, are also well-developed.”
Zhang emphasized that the biggest advantage of the community is its speed and personalized service. “From initial inquiry to moving in, the entire process took only two to three weeks. The park provided extensive assistance, allowing us to focus on our core business. They handled most administrative procedures—only legal matters requiring personal attention were left to us. Compared to other services I’ve experienced, the support here is truly exceptional.”
In addition to comprehensive infrastructure, considerate operational support, and strong policy backing, the highly concentrated AI industry ecosystem and active business collaboration environment within Force Community 943 have brought unexpected benefits to OPC startups like WenDian Technology.
“Lately, I’ve noticed that all companies here are involved in AI products or services, making resource sharing and integration a promising direction,” Zhang explained. “For example, I recently spoke with a healthcare-focused company in the community. They described their business, and since I had clients with similar needs, we explored potential collaboration. I believe such integration can greatly benefit future business expansion for all firms in the industry.”
However, the entrepreneurial journey is not without challenges. Zhang noted, “We’ve encountered several difficulties, which we’ve reported to the community and relevant government departments. For instance, recruitment has been tough—we’ve tried multiple platforms, but results have been modest. Job seekers, especially graduates or experienced professionals, often prefer larger companies for perceived stability. Even when we offer competitive salaries, candidates worry about our longevity. Currently, we rely on referrals from friends and family, but attracting higher-level talent will be more difficult. We hope relevant agencies can help establish safeguards or special policies to address this issue.”
Market expansion also presents hurdles. Although the company has a foothold domestically, Zhang is considering overseas growth. “Expanding abroad requires deploying full services overseas, but current order volumes there are much lower than in China. Deploying resources upfront involves risks—will there be enough business? We’re interested in policies or support that can aid scaling and market entry. That’s why we’re particularly keen on computing power subsidies—our operations depend heavily on computing resources, which represent a significant portion of our costs, alongside R&D and network expenses.”
Revenue Reaches Millions On the product side, Zhang shared, “Before joining the community, our product had already undergone market validation and commercial deployment. However, that was three to four years ago, before AI technology reached its current level of penetration. Back then, development relied heavily on manual coding and system maintenance. Now, we’re gradually shifting toward using AI for coding or introducing digital employees to handle certain tasks.”
Other AI applications are also being explored. “Beyond our main business, we use both domestic and international AI tools,” Zhang said. “For example, we use apps like Jianying for internal promotional materials.”
In terms of customer acquisition, the company currently relies on industry associations and related partnership channels. “Leading players in this sector are relatively concentrated, and we’ve either already partnered with them or are in active discussions,” Zhang noted. “The main challenge lies in reaching mid-to-low-tier operators spread across various regions. Their dispersed nature makes engagement and conversion difficult. Going forward, we need to explore more effective methods—whether through regional agents, dedicated sales teams, or media platforms—to raise awareness about our full-chain unmanned retail services.”
When discussing team structure and technical limitations, Zhang revealed, “Our core team consists of three people, supported by external partners. It’s important to note that our recognition system for open-door cabinets isn’t yet 100% accurate. Under normal usage, identification works well, but if a customer grabs multiple items at once, blocks the camera, or tries to evade detection, visual AI alone may not suffice. In such cases, manual review is necessary.”
Notably, the company prefers collaborating with teams that include persons with disabilities. “This provides employment opportunities for a group that often faces limited options,” Zhang explained. “Some team members have mobility challenges or use one hand, but they are fully capable. Offering work helps them integrate into society. From our perspective, it’s a way to fulfill social responsibility through our business.”
Regarding revenue and funding, Zhang said annual revenue has reached several million yuan. “We are open to partnering with investors, as business expansion requires additional financial support.”
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