Cultivating China’s FinTech ecosystem: The visible hand of the state

We investigate the role of open system intermediaries (OSIs), including incubators, accelerators and science parks, in the effort of the Chinese state to harness the innovative potential of fintech ventures. We conducted 50 semi-structured interviews and documented how the Chinese state uses OSIs to support strategically important financial services firms in nurturing cohorts of fintech ventures. This consequently gives rise to a tech-for-fin ecosystem, where innovative fintech ventures are moulded into becoming technology providers for financial services incumbents, while those wishing to fundamentally disrupt the established financial order are excluded from the various support mechanisms provided through OSIs.