Qingdao's 'hidden unicorns' drive innovation in niche markets

"Using our self-developed digital twin system and intelligent production equipment, we are able to precisely control temperature, light, water, air and nutrients, linking agricultural production with supply chain services," said Ma Tiejun, deputy general manager of the company.

The system enables year-round harvesting — up to 10 months annually — with a daily output of over 40 tons of cherry tomatoes, six to eight times higher than traditional greenhouses, Ma added.

In Qingdao, a new wave of innovative private enterprises, particularly "hidden unicorns" like LAF Technology and Triumph Haofeng, is growing rapidly. These companies are pioneers in niche markets, using advanced technologies to drive the development of new quality productive forces.

Qingdao Eoroom Smart Home Technology Co, based in Jiaozhou, another county-level city in Qingdao, specializes in intelligent home solutions. It boasts 16 core technologies, ranging from smart storage and ultraviolet sterilization to embedded lighting, and six integrated systems, including intelligent temperature control and home interaction platforms.