Initiative Overview
Zhipu launched the “Zhipu · Hangzhou City-wide Coding Initiative” on September 10 via the BigModel open platform. The program is a city-level inclusive AI coding effort jointly introduced by Zhipu, Hangzhou, and Shangcheng District. According to the official announcement, it is the country’s first district-level support program for AI model calls, aiming to lower the barrier to using AI programming tools.
Key Facts
- Launch date: September 10
- Program period: September 10 to December 9
- Eligibility scope: Individual users include people working in Hangzhou and students enrolled at Hangzhou-based universities; enterprise users must be business entities in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou
- Platform: BigModel Open Platform
Eligibility & Discount Structure
Individual Users
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Working in Hangzhou, with a Hangzhou social security contribution certificate
- Enrolled at a Hangzhou-based university, with an online verification report from CHSI
Discounts:
- Quarterly plan: 44% comprehensive reduction
- Annual plan: 51% comprehensive reduction
Important restriction: Each individual can use the benefit only once, choosing either the quarterly plan or the annual plan. Repeat purchases are not allowed, and discounts will stop being issued once the overall discount amount reaches its cap.
Enterprise Users
Eligible applicants are business entities in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou:
- Annual plan: 55% comprehensive reduction
- Per-enterprise reduction cap: RMB 1 million
- Only annual packages are supported
Two types of enterprises may apply: those that have never purchased a team package, and existing team-package customers that want to add seats.
Application Process Comparison
| User Type | Main Steps |
|---|---|
| Individual | BigModel personal identity verification→Submit application form→Qualification review→SMS notification after approval→Select personal package→Receive the reduced price directly |
| Enterprise | BigModel enterprise identity verification→Submit application form→Qualification review→Business communication→Sign contract agreement→Receive the reduced price directly |
Discount comparison: Enterprises receive a 55% comprehensive reduction on annual plans, higher than the 51% annual reduction for individuals. However, enterprise discounts are capped at RMB 1 million per company and apply only to annual packages.
Strategic Significance
Zhipu’s district-level support for AI model calls is designed to help entrepreneurs, developers, enterprise R&D teams, and young talent access high-quality domestic large-model capabilities more conveniently, more reliably, and at lower cost.
From an industry perspective, the program is more than a simple price promotion. It links the cost of AI coding tools with local talent and innovation-support policies, potentially making it easier for developers and corporate R&D teams to try and adopt large-model-based programming tools.
The program runs from September 10 to December 9. For individuals, a 51% comprehensive reduction on annual plans means paying less than half the original price. For enterprises, the 55% reduction and RMB 1 million cap can help reduce the budget pressure of adopting AI coding capabilities at team scale.
User Recommendations
Apply Now If…
- Hangzhou-based developers: Consider the annual plan if you have long-term needs; compare the quarterly option if your project is short-term
- Students at Hangzhou universities: Student eligibility can lower the cost of getting started with AI coding tools
- Enterprises in Shangcheng District: If you plan to purchase a new team package or add seats, calculate the annual cost after the 55% reduction
Wait or Check Further If…
- Individuals outside Hangzhou: Without a Hangzhou social security certificate or proof of enrollment at a Hangzhou university, you do not meet the stated individual-user criteria
- Enterprises without seat-expansion needs: The rules cover companies that have never purchased a team package and existing team-package customers adding seats; if you do not plan to expand, first confirm whether your use case fits the program rules
Final Note
This government-enterprise inclusive AI coding program shows local governments beginning to incorporate large-model capabilities into urban innovation and talent-support systems. If implemented smoothly, similar district-level or city-level programs could offer a reference path for broader adoption of domestic large models in developer and enterprise R&D scenarios.