MEITU CEO Wu Xinhong recently revealed in a media dialogue that the company is transitioning from a mid-sized firm back to a startup-like structure by establishing AI innovation studios for internal competition. Each studio, limited to no more than 10 members, can apply for a base funding of 10 million yuan (approximately $1 million) to drive product innovation within a six-month timeframe.
Wu emphasized that to tackle challenges in the AI era, MEITU is proactively restructuring its organization. The goal is to break down its 2,000-plus workforce into smaller, agile teams. "Our fiercest competition in the future may not come from tech giants but from emerging startups. Hence, we must align our efficiency with theirs in advance," he said.
According to Wu, MEITU aims to enhance both organizational efficiency and individual capability—efficiency to match nimble startups and capability to empower every employee to become a "super individual." To achieve this, the company has introduced an AI innovation studio mechanism, modeled after contemporary AI startup teams.
Wu explained that each AI innovation studio at MEITU will consist of no more than 10 versatile talents. Teams will have full autonomy over product development for six months, backed by a base budget of 10 million yuan, with additional funding available based on project needs. The company will provide full backend support while teams independently manage product definition, aesthetics, and project execution. Additionally, members will be eligible for profit-sharing incentives.
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