The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology issued a notice on Sept 10 inviting technology start-ups to participate in the "Startup in Shanghai" international innovation and entrepreneurship competition.

The competition aims to promote the innovative development of small and medium-sized sci-tech enterprises, and motivate more social resources to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

Competition arrangement

I. Competition categories

1. Industrial high-quality development professional competition (professional competition)

The professional competition will focus on integrated circuits, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and scientific research and the technical services industry. It will feature several sections, including new-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, new materials, resources and environment, and new energy vehicles.

2. Special competitions for future industries (special competitions)

Four special competitions will be held: the 2024 international intelligent sensing new quality innovation competition, the 2024 sci-tech intelligence competition series (including AFAC 2024 financial intelligence innovation competition and the Global Multimedia Deepfake Detection Challenge), the 2024 global life and health sci-tech concept verification competition, and the WeStart TOP 100 startup competition.

II. Competition participants

1. The professional competition set for sci-tech start-ups

The participants are categorized as follows:

(1) Small- and micro-sized enterprises: each with total revenue of 30 million yuan or less in 2023;

(2) Growth enterprises: each with total revenue of more than 30 million yuan, but equaling to or less than 200 million yuan in 2023.

2. Special competitions set for sci-tech start-ups and teams

III. Competition conditions

1. Sci-tech start-ups

(1) Registered in Shanghai, non-listed enterprises, with sound financial and management systems;

(2) Primarily engaged in research, development, production or services concerning high-tech products, with innovative capabilities and high growth potential, generally without intellectual property disputes;

(3) Small- and micro-sized enterprises must obtain a registration number for small- and medium-sized sci-tech enterprises for the year 2023 or before Sept 30, 2024, and growth enterprises must be high-tech companies within the validity period;

(4) Each enterprise can only register for one category in the competition.

2. Sci-tech start-ups that directly advance to the semi-finals in the group of small- and micro-sized enterprises can apply through the “investment in lieu of evaluation” channel. However, they must also meet the following conditions:

(1) They must have received equity investment from an institution registered with the Asset Management Association of China on or after Jan 1, 2022;

(2) The financing amount must be no less than 50 million yuan;

(3) Proof of financing must be provided, including business certification materials related to equity changes, such as annual audit reports, investment agreements, and proof of funds being in place.

IV. Competition schedule

1. Registration

(1) The registration period for the small- and micro-sized enterprises group runs from 9 am on Sept 19 to 4:30 pm on Oct 14. For registration details, please visit the competition's official website at www.startup-sh.cn/cyds. You can also access the "Shanghai, China" portal at www.sh.gov.cn, navigate to
"Governmental Services", and select the "Shanghai financial and sci-tech investment information management platform". Alternatively, go directly to czkj.sheic.org.cn/ and access the application page for the Technological Innovation Fund Plan for Small- and Medium-sized Sci-tech Enterprises. Follow the instructions to fill out and submit the online application form, and upload the required documents.

(2) For information on the registration timeline for the group of growth enterprises, please refer to the application guide for the 2024 S&T Little Giants Project. The registration time has not yet been published.

2. Preliminary contest

A round of correspondence-based evaluation will be organized for the professional competition, and participating enterprises must be those approved by district-level sci-tech authorities.

The special competitions will be conducted according to official notices. For details, please visit the official website at www.startup-sh.cn/cyds or follow the event's WeChat account.

3. Semi-final

(1) Participants in the semi-final shall be enterprises that have won the preliminary contest of the professional competition, enterprises receiving first, second and third prizes in the special competitions, and sci-tech start-ups that apply through the “investment in lieu of evaluation” channel and can directly advance to the semi-final for the group of small- and micro-sized enterprises. Enterprises partaking in the semi-final must be those approved by district-level sci-tech authorities. The list of participants in the semi-final will be released on the official website and WeChat account of the event.

(2) A group of service agencies will be selected as the sub-competition venues for the semi-final. The list of the venues will be released on the official website and WeChat account.

(3) A closed on-site roadshow will be organized for the semi-final, consisting of an 8-minute PowerPoint presentation followed by a 7-minute Q&A session.

(4) The results of the semi-final must be verified on-site. Enterprises that refuse verification will be deemed to have forfeited their eligibility to participate in the competition. Any enterprise found engaging in fraudulent behavior will have their competition eligibility revoked upon discovery and verification. Those found to engage in activities such as violations of sci-tech rules or dishonesty in scientific research will be subject to appropriate actions according to relevant national and local regulations.

(5) Enterprises that pass the verification process will be eligible to receive a prize. Subsequently, 50 enterprises will be selected from this group to advance to the final round.

4. Final

(1) The list of participants in the final will be released on the official website and WeChat account.

(2) An on-site public roadshow will be staged and livestreamed for the final. It will comprise an 8-minute PowerPoint presentation and a 7-minute Q&A session. The first, second and third prizes will be determined on-site.

(3) The list of winners will be announced on the official website and WeChat account.

V. Incentives and support

1. Incentives

(1) Incentives for the preliminary contest

For the professional competition: each winning project from the group of small- and micro-sized enterprises will receive an award of no less than 100,000 yuan from district-level sci-tech authorities.

For the special competitions: winners will get prizes and bonuses from the sponsors of the event.

(2) Incentives for the semi-final and final

The first, second and third prizes and the prize of excellence will be set for the group of small- and micro-sized enterprises and the group of growth enterprises, respectively.

Prize-winners from the group of small- and micro-sized enterprises will benefit from this year's innovation funding policy on the condition that they meet the requirements of Shanghai in its measures to manage the technological innovation fund plan for small- and medium-sized sci-tech enterprises.

Prize-winners from the group of growth enterprises will benefit from this year's policy for the S&T Little Giants Project given that they meet the requirements of Shanghai in its measures for the implementation of the S&T Little Giants Project.

2. Other support

Award-winning enterprises are exempt from further evaluation and will be given priority for support through the angel fund Eaglet Program and loans for sci-tech innovation. They will also have access to free training given by the competition organizer, as well as qualify for loan credit from the partner banks of the competition. In addition, they will be entitled to the following benefits:

(1) Enterprises winning the prize of excellence are recommended to attend important events such as the Pujiang Innovation Forum and the China International Import Expo.

(2) Enterprises winning the first, second and third prizes will qualify for training camps for aspiring company founders, and for promotional activities at select start-up competitions. They will also be eligible for various sci-tech innovation initiatives offered by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, as well as policies for high-tech zones. Furthermore, prize-winning enterprises that apply for the S&T Little Giants Project in the current or coming year will automatically advance to the second round of face-to-face evaluations.

Connection with China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition

The "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition is closely linked to the China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition.

I. Project application

To apply for the national competition, please log onto the website of the China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition at www.cxcyds.com.

II. Project recommendation

Shortlisted enterprises for the national competition will be recommended through an expert review. Enterprises that qualify for the S&T Little Giants Project and meet the eligibility criteria for the growth group of the national competition will be given priority in being recommended to participate in the national competition. The list of recommended enterprises will be released on the official website and WeChat account of the national competition.

III. Incentives

Prize-winning enterprises of the national competition will qualify for training camps for aspiring company founders, and for promotional activities at select start-up competitions. They will also be eligible for various sci-tech innovation initiatives offered by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, as well as policies for high-tech zones. Furthermore, award-winning enterprises that apply for the S&T Little Giants Project in the current or coming year will automatically advance to the second round of face-to-face evaluations. Those that apply for innovation funds for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the current or coming year will automatically advance to the semi-final.

More information

For more detailed information, please visit the official website or official WeChat account, or dial its hotlines.

Scan the following QR code for the official WeChat account

Official website at https://www.startup-sh.cn/cyds

Hotlines: 800-820-5114, 400-820-5114

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology