From Hobby to Innovation: TJU PhD Student Builds Million-User App Empire

At a time when many of his peers were still grappling with research in the lab, Liu Yuesen, a 2023 doctoral student in computer science at Tianjin University, was closely monitoring user feedback for his photography application “Border & Watermark Master.” This professional tool, designed for photographers to add custom frames and watermarks, has attracted over 15,000 reviews and won the favor of celebrities such as actor Li Xian and well-known influencers. Behind the app’s success lies Liu’s unconventional path-from selling potted succulents to becoming a technology entrepreneur.

Liu is the founder of Tianjin Oumiao Technology, general manager of Tianjin Hash Collision Technology, and a member of the 2024 “Sci-Tech China” Tianjin U30 Youth Entrepreneurship List. Within a year, his two apps - “Border & Watermark Master” and “OMO Retro Camera” - surpassed one million users and generated annual revenue of over one million yuan.

His entrepreneurial journey began out of curiosity. Starting with a 1,000-yuan loan from his father to sell succulents, Liu initially made a profit but lost it all in an offline promotion. The experience taught him the importance of risk control and adapting quickly to user feedback. He later co-founded an education training company, overseeing course design and teacher training. However, the national “Double Reduction” policy severely impacted the sector, prompting him to seek a new direction.

During the 2023 Spring Festival, Liu noticed the popularity of festive photo frames and watermarks on social media. Combining his passion for photography with his computer science expertise, he identified a market gap: the need for efficient, personalized watermarking tools. With limited funds but strong team commitment, “Border & Watermark Master” was launched after months of intensive development. Offering the largest template library and the most adjustable settings in its category, the app became the top-ranked product in its niche within a month of release.

Building on this success, Liu launched “OMO Retro Camera,” targeting users seeking vintage-style portraits. Featuring self-developed color filters, soft lighting algorithms, and unique effects, the app has drawn over 17,000 user ratings and attracted collaborations with social media influencers and celebrity teams.

Balancing a PhD workload with running a fast-growing tech company was challenging. Initially focused on wireless sensing, Liu shifted his doctoral research to computational photography to align with his business, enabling breakthroughs in AI-powered portrait enhancement, color adjustment, and soft-focus effects - technologies now integrated into his products.

Liu credits Tianjin University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for his growth. Inspired by the X-lab Entrepreneurship Practicum at Xuanhuai College, which combines project-based learning with mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, he refined his business ideas and secured his first investment from alumni entrepreneurs. He emphasizes applying the university’s motto, “Seeking truth from facts,” to his ventures by focusing on problem-solving over fame or fortune.

Looking ahead, Liu aims to “embrace the AI era and build cooler products.” His current project uses AI to replicate the color style of any photo, enabling users to capture images with the same aesthetic instantly. For Liu, entrepreneurship is not just a career choice but “a realization of self-worth,” rooted in creating technology that meets user needs and delivers social value.

By: Qin Mian