The Nanjing University & NYU Polytechnic Joint Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship was founded in 2008 with an aim to develop a unique educational program forcing on innovation & entrepreneurship, both in content and delivery, by leveraging the resources and know-how of the two universities for the benefit of both countries, but primarily the economical development of the Yangtze River Delta region. Its scope included but not limited to international exchanges, training for working professionals, promotion of technology innovation and facilitation of business incubation and commercialization. Funding of the Joint Institute was made possible with a generous donation by David and Grace Lee, an alumnus of Poly/NYU.

The Joint Institute changed to its present name, Nanjing University Global Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (INSTITUTE) with the addition of Warwick University from U.K. in 2012.

After many years of tireless effort by the leadership team at Nanjing University to overcome regulatory and financial constraints, INSTITUTE has moved into a new building with its own classroom, administrative as well as incubation space in the last two years. It has also begun to finally realize its potential to develop into an international institution, open to worldwide collaboration, and equipped with a holistic environment for business incubation.

In May 2016, the State Council issued a circular on the implementation of a Network of National Demonstration Bases to promote, expand and demonstrate successful models for entrepreneurship and innovation. Nanjing University is one of the first university demonstration bases. Nanjing University (NJU)has formulated a comprehensive plan named “543” for the overall construction of its innovation and entrepreneurship demonstration base as below.