Youth-led innovation is emerging as a powerful force shaping Shanghai's entrepreneurial landscape, a momentum that will be highlighted at the upcoming Shanghai Y50 Forum for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The sixth edition of the forum will be held on May 10 at the Shanghai Tower, under the tagline "Youth and cities grow together".

This year's forum will feature keynote speeches, policy briefings, and annual releases. For the first time, a youth sci-tech carnival will be introduced during the afternoon session, offering immersive experiences and interactive exchanges tailored to aspiring young entrepreneurs.

The forum will unveil this year's top 10 young tech entrepreneurship trailblazers in Shanghai, selected from the finalists of the 2024 Startup in Shanghai International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. The winners were evaluated based on their impact in areas such as innovation, business performance, social value, market potential, and talent development.

In addition, the forum will reveal the top 10 innovative entrepreneurship cases of the year, showcasing exceptional achievements across diverse sectors, including large AI models, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, cultural and creative industries, and social services. Of the 247 entries submitted, 50 model cases were shortlisted after multiple rounds of evaluation.

To further support global youth, the forum will also announce the new lineup of Shanghai innovation and entrepreneurship training camps. These programs are open to a wide range of participants, including overseas Chinese, returnee unicorn founders, female entrepreneurs, and young business leaders newly arriving in the city. Last year, 20 camps attracted 2,255 applicants from around the world. The initiative offers practical, multi-level training designed to address real-world business challenges and provide targeted support.

One of the highlights this year is the youth sci-tech carnival, where 15 pre-selected startup teams will present projects in artificial intelligence, life sciences, and frontier technologies. Through live pitching sessions, participants will have the opportunity to connect directly with investors, industry experts, leading enterprises, and media representatives, accelerating access to strategic resources.

Now in its sixth year, the Shanghai Y50 Forum has become a vital platform for exchange, collaboration, and idea-sharing among young entrepreneurs. It plays a key role in strengthening ties between government, enterprises, and emerging talent, while nurturing a vibrant ecosystem to support innovation and help Shanghai grow as a youth-friendly city of opportunity.

Source: Official WeChat account of General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government at "shanghaifabu"