The 2026 "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was launched on March 24, inviting outstanding projects from teams and enterprises at home and abroad.

The event aims to advance innovation-driven development, foster a dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and further accelerate Shanghai's development as a globally influential hub for science and technology innovation.

Registration is now open, details are as follows:

I. Competition overview

(I) Official website

Domestic and international teams and enterprises may register and apply through the official website at www.startup-sh.cn/cyds/en. The website serves as the competition's official information and registration channel.

(II) Regional competition

Organized by administrative districts and the Lin-gang Special Area, the regional competition features tracks across sectors such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, next-generation electronic information, intelligent connected new energy vehicles, high-end equipment, advanced materials, new energy, and green and low-carbon industries. The competition is divided into three categories:

1. Team category

Open to teams that have not yet established an enterprise, non-local enterprises with the intention to start a business in Shanghai with a clear implementation plan, or enterprises registered in Shanghai for less than one year at the time of the competition launch. Participants must primarily engage in the research, development, or service of high-tech products, possess distinctive and innovative technologies, and have no intellectual property disputes.

2. Startup enterprise category

Open to non-listed companies registered in Shanghai between Jan 1, 2023, and Dec 31, 2025, with total revenue in the previous year not exceeding 30 million yuan ($4.14 million). They must primarily engage in the research, development, production, or service of high-tech products, demonstrate strong innovation and growth potential, and hold independent intellectual property rights.

3. Growth-stage enterprise category

Open to non-listed companies registered in Shanghai between Jan 1, 2018, and Dec 31, 2025, with total revenue for the previous year not exceeding 200 million yuan. They must primarily engage in the research, development, production, or service of high-tech products, demonstrate strong innovation and growth potential, and hold independent intellectual property rights.

(III) Specialized competitions

Specialized competitions focus on key sub-sectors in emerging and future industries, such as brain-computer interfaces, silicon photonics, future communications, neuromorphic computing, sensors, scientific instruments, innovative drugs, innovative medical devices, AI-powered instruments, new financial technology, and smart agriculture and food.

Note: Each project may participate in only one specialized competition while also competing in the regional competition.

II. Competition process

(I) Registration

1.  Regional competitions

Teams or enterprises participating in the regional competition can register online through the competition’s website by May 31, 2026. Applicants should select the appropriate competition category and track based on their project.

District organizers will conduct formal reviews of the application materials and confirm eligibility by June 15, 2026.

2.  Specialized competitions

In line with the principle of launching each specialized competition as it becomes ready, the competition's website will release details on registration channels, category divisions, competition processes, and incentive measures as preparations progress.

Note: After registering and completing identity verification, teams and enterprises must submit complete application materials and be responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of the information.

(II) Competition stages

The competition consists of four stages:

- Preliminary round: By the end of July 2026.

- Quarterfinals: August 2026.

- Semifinals: September 2026.

- Finals: October 2026.

1.  Preliminary round

Regional competition: Preliminary rounds will be organized by the respective district-level authorities. The competition organizing committee office will determine the number of advancement slots based on the overall registration situation. District organizers will recommend candidates based on these slots.

The office will review and confirm the list of advancing participants. If a candidate does not meet the qualifications, their advancement will be canceled, and no replacement will be made.

The competition also provides an investment-based fast track. Enterprises that have secured equity investments of 50 million yuan or more from investment institutions registered with the Asset Management Association of China between 2024 and the registration date may directly advance to the next stage upon application and verification. The format for specialized competitions will be defined by relevant organizers based on the number of projects, industry characteristics, and participant profiles, and will be announced on the official website once confirmed by the organizing committee office.

2. Quarterfinals

This stage is open only to the startup enterprise and growth-stage enterprise categories. Tracks may be consolidated based on the number of participating projects. The format consists of an eight-minute on-site presentation and a seven-minute Q&A session.

3.  Semifinals

This stage will be divided into the team, startup enterprise, and growth-stage enterprise categories. The format consists of an eight-minute on-site presentation and a seven-minute Q&A session.

4.  Finals

This stage will be divided into the team, startup enterprise, and growth-stage enterprise categories without differentiation by industry track. The format consists of an eight-minute on-site presentation and a seven-minute Q&A session.

(III) Award distribution

- Quarterfinals: A maximum of 600 enterprise projects will be selected and awarded the "excellence award", with a 2:1 ratio of startup to growth-stage companies.

- Semifinals: A total of 150 enterprise projects will receive the "enterprise excellence award", and 100 team projects will receive the "team excellence award".

- Finals: Among the 50 finalists, awards will be granted as follows:

First Prize (5): 2 teams, 2 startup companies, 1 growth-stage company

Second Prize (15): 6 teams, 6 startup companies, 3 growth-stage companies

Third Prize (30): 12 teams, 12 startup companies, 6 growth-stage companies

III. Policy support and services

(I) Innovation fund support

In accordance with the Shanghai Innovation Fund Program for Sci-Tech SMEs, eligible enterprises will receive fixed-sum funding based on their award level.

Winners in the team category may retain their funding eligibility for up to two years. If a team registers an enterprise in Shanghai during this period and secures angel investment of at least 5 million yuan, with the investment in place, it will qualify for funding support. This applies only to enterprises in which the top-ranked core team member serves as the actual controller.

Note: An enterprise may only undertake one innovation fund-supported project within one year.

(II) Space support for project implementation

- Team-category projects that advance to the finals will be offered rent-free independent offices or workstations for up to six months.

- Winning team projects in specialized competitions will be offered rent-free independent offices or workstations for up to three months.

- Team-category projects that advance to the semifinals will be offered rent-free workstations for up to three months.

(III) Priority access to special programs

- Projects may gain priority access for recognition as Shanghai High-Tech Achievement Transformation Projects.

- Teams or enterprises may receive technology innovation vouchers.

- Enterprises may gain priority support through the College Student Foundation's Eagle Plan, priority access to services for high-tech enterprise certification, and direct entry into the cultivation pool for the Science and Technology Little Giant program.

- Core team members from winning projects' teams and enterprises will be prioritized for recommendation in relevant talent programs.

(IV) Tech-finance support

- Eligible winning projects will have access to exclusive benefits from the competition's partner banks, including expedited science and technology support loans and technology performance guarantee loans.

- Eligible winning projects will be recommended for venture capital matchmaking with more than 100 leading investment institutions.

(V) Incubation support

- Pre-competition: Interpretation of competition rules.

- During the competition: Services include business plan writing workshops, empowerment courses, and innovation accelerator camps to support projects at different stages, enhancing their overall competitiveness.

- Post-competition: Dedicated salons for matchmaking between large, medium, and small enterprises, and a founders' training camp to build practical management knowledge and skills for sci-tech entrepreneurs.

(VI) Comprehensive promotion

Services include exclusive interviews, in-depth case studies, industry resource promotion, and opportunities for presentation and networking at major events such as the Pujiang Innovation Forum, Shanghai Science and Technology Festival, China International Import Expo, and China International Industry Fair, boosting projects' market exposure and brand value.

Interested participants can follow the official competition website and the WeChat accounts "Startup in Shanghai" (id: sh_chuangye) and "Shanghai Science and Technology" (id: sh_stcsm) for updates on policies, support services, coaching sessions, and registration information.

Hotline:

(1) 800-820-5114

(2) 400-820-5114

 

Sources: Official WeChat account of the Shanghai International Talent Center (ID: "sh-italent"), Official website of Startup in Shanghai, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology