The 2025 "STARTUP IN SHANGHAI" International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition is now open for application.

 

I. Competition process

1.1 Application

(1) Application portal

Domestic and international teams and enterprises may register and apply through the official competition website and select the appropriate category.

Startup team track

Open to teams that have not yet registered a company, or to companies established after Jan 1, 2025, or to non-local companies that plan to establish operations in Shanghai. Teams must have at least three core members, be primarily engaged in the research, development, or provision of high-tech products or services, possess distinctive and innovative technologies, and have no intellectual property disputes.

Registered startup company track

For unlisted companies registered in Shanghai between Jan 1, 2022, and Dec 31, 2024, with annual revenue not exceeding 30 million yuan ($4.14 million). Companies must focus on high-tech product R&D, production, or services, demonstrate innovation and growth potential, and possess independent intellectual property rights.

Growth-stage company track

For unlisted companies registered in Shanghai between Jan 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2024, with annual revenue between 30 million and 200 million yuan. These companies must also be engaged in high-tech development, demonstrate innovation capabilities, growth potential, and possess proprietary IP.

After registration and identity verification, teams and companies must submit complete application materials and ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the information provided. The official competition website is the only valid application channel. The application deadline is June 30, 2025.

(2) Sector selection

The competition follows the "3+6" new industrial system and includes seven key industry sectors:

• New generation information technology
• Biomedicine
• High-end equipment manufacturing
• New energy
• New materials
• Resources & environment
• New energy vehicles

Additional sectors will be created to accommodate cutting-edge technologies and future industries. Please select the sector that fits your project.

(3) Qualification confirmation

Preliminary organizers will review the submitted materials. Teams and companies that meet the eligibility requirements and have submitted complete materials will be confirmed as qualified participants. The deadline for qualification confirmation is July 10, 2025.

(4) Supporting services

"Startup academy" – competition interpretation and briefings organized by each preliminary organizers.

1.2 Preliminary round

(1) Organization and implementation

Preliminary rounds will be independently organized by each preliminary organizer. Participants should follow the notifications and participation requirements of their selected preliminary organizer. The organizing committee office will determine the number of participants who will advance to the semifinals (startup team track) and quarterfinals (registered startup company and growth-stage company tracks) based on the total number of applications citywide. Recommendations will be made by preliminary organizers based on merit. The organizing committee office will review and confirm the list of advancing participants. If a candidate does not meet the qualifications, advancement will be canceled and no replacement will be made.

(2) Implementation time

End of July 2025.

(3) Supporting services

"Startup academy" – business plan writing workshops, organized by the preliminary organizers.

1.3 Quarterfinals

(1) Organization and implementation

Organized by the organizing committee office, the quarterfinals are open to registered startup company and growth-stage company tracks only. Sessions will be held by sector and separated by company stage. The evaluation will be conducted via live pitch, consisting of an 8-minute PPT presentation and a 7-minute Q&A session. A maximum of 600 outstanding companies will be selected and granted the "excellence award", with a 2:1 ratio of startup to growth-stage companies.

(2) Fast-track to semifinals

Some participants may qualify for direct entry into the semifinals through the following channels:

"Investment-substitutes-evaluation" channel

Companies that received equity investment of at least 50 million yuan between 2023 and the application date from institutions registered with the Asset Management Association of China, and meet competition requirements, may apply for direct entry. Applications must be reviewed and recommended by the local district science and technology authority.

"Award-winning team participants" Channel

Startup team track participants that won awards in the 2024 competition, have since registered a company in Shanghai (with the team's lead member serving as the actual head), and have secured a fully paid investment of at least 5 million yuan from an investment institution, may directly enter this year's semifinals.

(3) Semifinal quota

Based on sector evaluations, 300 companies from the startup and growth-stage tracks will be selected to the semifinals.

(4) Implementation time

Mid-September 2025.

(5) Supporting services

Organized by the Competition Committee Office, the Incubation Academy Program will offer expert lectures on cutting-edge technologies and industry trends. The Dream Salon Program will feature workshops with domestic and international corporates to foster collaboration among businesses of all sizes and facilitate investment matchmaking.

1.4 Semifinals

(1) Implementation

Organized by the competition committee office with no sector division. Participants will be grouped as a startup team, startup company, or growth-stage company. Each will present an 8-minute PPT followed by a 7-minute Q&A. A total of 150 participants (startup and growth-stage in a 2:1 ratio) will receive the Enterprise Excellence Award, while 100 participants from 200 preliminary qualifiers will receive the Team Excellence Award.

(2) Advancement quota

A total of 50 participants will advance to the finals: 20 from the startup team track, and 30 from the startup company and growth-stage company tracks.

(3) Implementation time

Mid-October 2025.

(4) Supporting services

The Startup Acceleration Camp will offer intensive technical discussions, pitch training, experience sharing, and resource matchmaking to strengthen the competitiveness of semifinalists.

1.5 Finals

(1) Organization and implementation

Organized by the competition committee office without sector divisions. Participants will be grouped as startup team, startup company, and growth-stage company. The format remains an 8-minute presentation and a 7-minute Q&A.

(2) Implementation time

Mid-November 2025.

(3) Awards distribution

Among the 50 finalists, awards will be given as follows:

• First Prize (5): 2 startup teams, 2 startup companies, 1 growth-stage company
• Second Prize (15): 6 startup teams, 6 startup companies, 3 growth-stage companies
• Third Prize (30): 12 startup teams, 12 startup companies, 6 growth-stage companies

A special grand prize may be awarded to first-prize winners demonstrating exceptional innovation and growth potential, upon approval by at least two-thirds of the expert committee.

(4) Supporting services

To develop well-rounded tech entrepreneurs with strong leadership skills and deep scientific insights, the "Future Star" Founders Bootcamp will offer a multidimensional training program combining mindset development courses, and strategic roundtables.

 

II. Policy support

2.1 Eligible participants may receive funding through the Shanghai Innovation Fund Program for Sci-Tech SMEs, based on award level (excellence, outstanding, third, second, first, and special grand prize). Funding will be provided on a one-time basis at the highest award level achieved.

Startup team awardees may retain their funding eligibility for up to two years. If the team registers a company in Shanghai during this period and secures angel investment of at least 5 million yuan, they will qualify for funding support.

2.2 Eligible award winners will be given priority access to research programs funded by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality.

2.3 Eligible award-winning participants may gain priority access to High-tech Achievement Transformation project certification, funding support from the Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone, accelerated recognition for High-tech Enterprise (HNTE) status, and direct entry into the second-round evaluation of the Science and Technology Little Giant project in the following year.

2.4 Eligible participants may receive priority support through the College Student Foundation's Eaglet Program.

2.5 Core team members of winning participants may receive priority under Shanghai's Sci-Tech Talent Settlement Policies, facilitating relocation and residence procedures.

2.6 Eligible award-winning participants may also enjoy exclusive benefits from the competition's partner banks, including fast-track innovation-support loans and technology performance guarantee loans. Additional opportunities include matchmaking with over 100 top venture capital institutions and invitations to showcase at key events such as the Pujiang Innovation Forum, Shanghai Science and Technology Festival, China International Import Expo, and China International Industry Fair.

 

Prospective participants may visit www.westartglobal.com and follow the WeChat accounts "Startup in Shanghai" and "Shanghai Science and Technology" for updates on policies, support services, coaching sessions, and registration information.

 

Hotline:

800-820-5114

400-820-5114

 

Source: startup-sh.cn