A new center catering to young entrepreneurs, created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has opened at the Shanghai Chuangyuan Technology Park in Minhang.

The center has already attracted 44 start-up companies and some nonprofit groups.

It is expected to draw participation from 200 entrepreneurs. It will primarily focus on Internet-related technologies.

The base, named Bay No. 0, is located next to Jiao Tong’s Minhang campus. The university will provide support services to students, new graduates and even faculty members intent on starting up their own businesses.

“It is a multifunction site,” said Jiang Sixian, the university’s Party secretary. “It will draw on the resources of the university and serve as a platform for budding entrepreneurs to learn from one another.”

Among the companies that moved into Bay No. 0 this month is innoXYZ, an Internet solutions provider, and Siyuan Community for Social Welfares, a non-governmental organization that is building libraries in rural areas.

The university has recruited 26 instructors to work with the new center. By the end of the year, at least 100 instructors are expected to be on board.

According to a survey of 500 graduates and undergraduates recently conducted by the Minhang Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, nearly 30 percent of the college students in Minhang are keen to start their own businesses. That’s partly due to a tighter job market.

Many students said they were not hopeful about finding a satisfactory job after graduation, so they are willing to give entrepreneurship a shot.

“I may first work at a family business,” said Thomas Yu, a student with Shanghai Donghai Vocational and Technical College. “Maybe after three to five years, I can start up my own company with money I have saved and experience I have accumulated.”

Minhang officials have said they are keen to help young entrepreneurs get a strong foot in the door of commerce.

The district government recently purchased cloud services for Office software. Companies in industrial and technology parks in the district are now able to use genuine Office software, email, video conferencing and other resource-sharing services.