Applications open for 10th Yangpu International Startup Competition
Shanghai has launched the 10th Yangpu International Startup Competition, organized by the Yangpu District Talent Bureau.
Below is a guide answering some frequently asked questions about the application process and competition format, helping innovation and entrepreneurship talent better navigate the competition.
1. Competition overview
The 10th Yangpu International Startup Competition evolved from the previous "Yangpu Global Startups Competition". This year's edition features an upgraded competition system, resource empowerment, and brand value.
The competition has expanded its reach beyond Shanghai, establishing a global platform to attract talent and promote innovation through competitive engagement. It aims to foster integration across industries, capital, talent, and innovation, while encouraging youth-driven scientific innovation to cultivate new, high-quality productive forces.
2. What are the features and innovations?
- Marking the 10th anniversary of the competition, this year's edition includes an achievements exhibition during the finals to showcase the growth, technological breakthroughs, and social contributions of past winning projects.
- The competition will leverage the resources as a talent discovery platform by opening a project matchmaking platform, promoting attraction through investment.
- The competition system features:
- A new "Decade Tribute" track, inviting past star-winning enterprises to share their experiences and serve as entrepreneurship mentors.
- Six core industrial sector tracks.
- Multiple special innovation tracks, such as the international innovation special project track and the university achievement transformation special project track, aiming to discover high-quality overseas projects and hard-tech university research commercialization initiatives.
3. How to apply
The application period runs from Dec 12, 2025, to Feb 2026. The specific deadline will be announced on the official WeChat account of the Yangpu District High-Level Talent Development Service Center (ID: "yptalent"). Participants can visit the Yangpu talent service platform at https://www.yptalent.cn for details and application.
Note: When registering, select the individual registration portal to proceed with the competition application.
Required application materials include:
(1) ID Card, or passport for foreign applicants.
(2) Academic diploma and degree certificate. Overseas Track applicants should submit the Certificate of Accreditation and Evaluation of Foreign (Overseas) Academic Diploma or Degree issued by the Ministry of Education, Foreign Academic Degree Verification first.
(3) Business plan in PowerPoint or PDF format.
4. Eligibility criteria
(1) All talent projects must demonstrate innovation capability, growth potential, core technology, market prospects, and independent intellectual property rights free of disputes.
(2) Participants must show the intention to innovate and start businesses in Yangpu, supported by concrete implementation plans.
(3) Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree (including current students).
(4) Individuals with overseas education experience, such as foreign nationals, international students, visiting scholars, or postdocs at foreign universities and research institutes, must apply through the Overseas Track.
(5) Applicants can select only one of the six tracks, submitting a single project. The project name should not directly use the name of an existing or planned company. Projects without an established company should select the Seed Stage. Note: Classification is based on the presence of a business license.
(6) Projects or individuals who have previously received awards above an honorable mention in past competitions or have received support under Yangpu's "3310" High-Level Talent Introduction and Cultivation Action Plan (2026-2030) are ineligible.
5. Competition zones
- Overseas zone: Applicants who have studied at and obtained a degree from an overseas institution.
- Domestic zone: Applicants without overseas study experience.
6. The competition category
The competition features two categories: Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
- Applicants without an established company should choose the Innovation category.
- All others should choose the Entrepreneurship category.
7. Competition tracks
- Artificial intelligence
- Intelligent manufacturing
- Information technology
- Life and health
- Creative design/Agricultural technology
- Green and low-carbon
8. Participation stages
Seed Stage, Angel Stage, and Growth Stage.
Note: The award ratio is the same across stages. Enterprises registered or relocated to Yangpu district must have been established or relocated after June 30, 2024.
9. Contact
Consultation telephone: 021-5506-2055
Official WeChat account: 15300830870
Note: The final right of interpretation belongs to the Yangpu District High-Level Talent Development Service Center.
Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Yangpu District Media Center (ID: "shanghai-yangpu")