The 5th Shanghai Global Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Grand Final was held in Minhang district from Oct 17 to 18.

Over two days, 154 projects competed in the newly inaugurated "Shanghai Talent+" Entrepreneurship City, a new hub designed to attract and support top entrepreneurial talent.

Innovators from around the world showcased cutting-edge projects spanning diverse fields, such as an AI-powered organ-on-a-chip technology platform, polymeric artificial heart valves, embodied intelligent marine robots, direct recycling and regeneration of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries, 4D waveguide antenna millimeter-wave radar, and a pulmonary artery thrombus removal system.

The finals were evaluated according to criteria aligned with national and municipal development strategies, focusing on project originality, potential social and economic value, international competitiveness, and the ability to fill domestic technological gaps. Scoring standards were based on different stages of project development, including seed, start-up, and growth phases.

This year's projects demonstrated strong technological innovation. Tracks such as high-end equipment manufacturing, future intelligence, and information technology presented breakthroughs including visual perception sensors for embodied intelligence, a new generation of high-resolution commercial infrared satellites, and navigation safety technologies for the low-altitude economy.

Among the finalists was Zhou Xinyu, a participant in the information technology track, former postdoctoral researcher at Stanford and Princeton, and now an assistant professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He presented his AI-driven third-generation semiconductor IC design project, which reduces circuit area, enhances chip yield, shortens design time, and accelerates product upgrades.

Zhou's project has already secured four invention patents domestically and internationally and has attracted overseas orders. He said he hopes to commercialize his technological achievements in Shanghai, citing the city's dynamic entrepreneurial environment, industrial vitality, and supportive policies.

Beyond technology, the commercialization of research outcomes was a key focus for many participants, and the competition attracted numerous investors. Since the inaugural competition in 2020, Shanghai STVC Group has invested in nearly 30 projects from the series, with total investments exceeding 700 million yuan ($98.24 million). Several of these projects have since been deployed into successful commercial ventures.

The award-winning projects selected in this year's finals will receive not only monetary prizes but also dedicated investment funds for comprehensive support, enhancing the competition's impact and helping aggregate global talent.

Since the competition opened for global entries in March, preliminary rounds have been held across 30 domestic and international sub-sectors. This year's edition attracted 14,723 projects from around the world, representing an increase of 22 percent over the previous year. Of these, 914 advanced to the semi-finals, with 154 entering the finals across six major tracks.

A standout feature of this year's edition is its enhanced global influence. Overseas competition venues accounted for about two-thirds of the total, with 124 projects from abroad, representing over 80 percent of the 154 finalists.

Compared to previous editions, the participant pool is broader and holds greater potential, with the number of international entries surging by approximately 420 percent year-on-year.

Additionally, participants are characterized by a younger average age, higher educational attainment, and a strong international profile. Competitors aged 45 and under account for 84 percent of the total, with the youngest participant being just 19 years old.

Approximately 66 percent hold doctoral degrees, while roughly 91 percent possess a master's degree or higher. Furthermore, over 80 percent of the projects feature team members or core teams with overseas work or study experience.

Coinciding with the finals on Oct 17, the "Shanghai Talent+" Entrepreneurship City was officially inaugurated. The event also saw the release of the 2025 "Shanghai Talent+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Month activity list and the presentation of the Special Contribution Awards, Overseas Expansion Awards, and Outstanding Organization Awards for this year's competition.

The core area of the Entrepreneurship City spans 17 square kilometers, encompassing the Grand NeoBay science and technology innovation source area. As a key platform for entrepreneurial talent, it will focus on promoting the transformation of innovative achievements, attracting academic elites, research experts, entrepreneurial leaders, and other innovative and entrepreneurial talent to foster a vibrant talent ecosystem.

Over the next month, Shanghai will roll out more than 30 key events, including recruitment fairs for foreign professionals, AI-driven thematic salons, and a tech tour for overseas doctoral talent.

Sources: Jiefang Daily, Shanghai Observer