Shanghai's Minhang district has launched an international innovation and entrepreneurship competition for university students, aiming to nurture young entrepreneurs with both funding and resource support.

Participation details are as follows.

Objectives

The 2025 Gumei Road Subdistrict International University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is co-organized by the Gumei Road subdistrict of Minhang district, the Overseas Chinese Enterprise Association Hub, and the "Sea-gull Plan", an initiative supporting young female university students in employment.

The competition aims to enhance Minhang's entrepreneurial and employment environment and provide a robust startup platform for overseas Chinese, returnees, and young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. It connects participants with key resources such as projects, funding, technology, products, services, policies, space, and markets. Through training camps and contests, it will foster entrepreneurial exchange, encourage cross-cultural integration, and offer comprehensive startup services to accelerate the incubation of young talent.

Competition format

1. Business plan submission

Participants submit business plans for expert review and preliminary screening.

2. Entrepreneurship training camp

Up to 50 selected teams will join the camp and receive training and guidance from professional mentors.

3. On-site presentation and defense

Finalists will publicly present and defend their projects. Experts will review and evaluate the projects on-site, and outstanding works will be connected with potential investors.

4. Project showcase

Excellent projects will be promoted through online platforms and offline roadshows, with opportunities for incubation and acceleration.

Competition tracks

Fashion

AI and Internet

Modern Services

Social Welfare and Education

Cultural and Creative Entertainment

Retail and Catering

Evaluation criteria

Entries will be assessed based on practicality and applicability, market potential, social value, and growth prospects.

Awards

Gold award (1 team): 5,000 yuan (about $701) scholarship

Silver award (2 teams): 3,000 yuan scholarships

Bronze award (3 teams): 2,000 yuan scholarships

Excellence award (4 teams): 1,000 yuan scholarships

All winning teams will receive entrepreneurial resource support and access to angel funds and venture capital networks.

Eligibility

Current university students or graduates within two years of graduation, from either China or abroad, can participate. Participants may enter as individuals or teams of up to five members.

Individual applicants must be overseas Chinese, from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or be international students.

Team entries must include at least one member who meets the above criteria.

Selected individuals and teams will enter the entrepreneurship training camp after screening.

Agenda

Sept 17 to Oct 15: Business plan submission

Oct 16 to Oct 24: Selection for training camp

Oct 25: Training camp launch ceremony

Nov 8: Final roadshows by 10 teams and award ceremony

Application

Participants can submit their electronic business plan to gm@ocea-hub.com.

Venue

OCEA Hub Gumei Center, No 238 Donglan Road, Shanghai

 

Source: Minhang district government