The 2026 Shanghai Women's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Technology Innovation and Better Life tracks) has launched in Shanghai's Pudong New Area.

Applications are now open. Details are as follows:

Competition overview

The competition aims to provide a higher-standard, open platform for women entrepreneurs to showcase their talents, connect with key resources, and turn innovative ideas into reality.

Organized by the Pudong New Area Women's Federation, the competition seeks to further stimulate the innovation and entrepreneurial drive of female science and technology researchers, entrepreneurs, university students, and women entrepreneurs across sectors. It encourages them to showcase their talents in key fields such as artificial intelligence, hard technology, new consumption, and digitalization.

It also aims to facilitate connections between outstanding projects and industrial capital, park policies, and market demand. By accelerating the commercialization and application of innovative achievements, it seeks to promote high-quality economic growth and support Shanghai's development as a global sci-tech innovation hub.

I. Eligibility and requirements

1. Eligible participants

The competition is open to women across China, including:

- University students with creative ideas, eager to transition from campus into the marketplace.

- Employees in enterprises or public institutions with technical skills and resources, seeking career transformation or internal entrepreneurship.

- Women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial teams that have already started their ventures and are seeking resources to accelerate growth.

- Women-led social organizations dedicated to solving social problems through innovation.

- Freelance women with specialized skills and experience, looking for a bigger stage.

2. Application requirements

- The applicant must be the team leader, and at least one of the project founders, principal lead, or core team members must be female.

- Each applicant may submit up to two projects, which must be independently developed or operated.

- The project should possess a good creative concept and a relatively mature product prototype or service model.

II. Competition tracks

The competition features two tracks:

- Technology Innovation

- Better Life

Each track follows a distinct schedule and offers different awards, and applicants are advised to select the track that best fits their project.

(A)Technology Innovation Track

1. Focus

- Projects with core technologies, patents, or independent R&D achievements;

- Projects focused on deep-tech fields such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, high-end equipment, new materials and new energy, and core digital economy industries.

- Pudong New Area will provide high-quality development space and policy support.

2. Final format: In-person roadshow.

3. Awards:

1 First Prize

2 Second Prizes

3 Third Prizes

In addition, several special awards will be conferred, such as the "Investment Attention Award".

(B) Better Life Track

1. Focus

- Projects centered on the theme "better life, better future," encouraging women to demonstrate creativity and human warmth in enhancing the quality of life and social services.

- Projects focused on areas such as fashion consumption, cultural creativity, social services, rural revitalization, intangible cultural heritage, and other innovative projects that enhance quality of life.

- Projects with a preliminary product prototype, service model, or pilot case.

- Participants seeking greater exposure, stronger resource connections, and enhanced social impact through the competition.

2. Final format: Online public review and expert evaluation

3. Awards:

1 First Prize

2 Second Prizes

3 Third Prizes.

In addition, several special awards will be conferred, such as "Best Cultural Heritage Award" and "Most Community Warmth Award".

Competition schedule

1. Project applications: March to May

2. Preliminary review: May to June

Expert judges will conduct written evaluations of application materials to determine the shortlist for the semifinals.

3. Semifinals: June to July

Offline roadshows for the two tracks.

4. Pre-competition empowerment: July to August

Pre-competition training and visits. Projects advancing to the finals will receive guidance from two mentors and participate in interview filming.

5. Finals: August to September

6. Awards ceremony: October to November.

7. Post-competition incentives: Year-round.

Winning projects will receive ongoing support in policy alignment, resource connections, media promotion, and workspace support.

Note: Specific timelines are subject to subsequent notices issued by the organizing committee.

III. How to apply

1.  Application deadline: May 25, 2026 (Monday)

2. Application method: Scan the QR code below to complete the registration information and submit.

- Technology Innovation Track QR code

- Better Life Track QR code

3. Contact

- Tel: 159-2105-9541

- WeChat ID: haixiaoyun_

IV. Benefits

1. Resource matchmaking and cash incentives:

- Winning projects will receive prize money support.

- The Shanghai Women's Federation and Pudong New Area Government will offer a dedicated investment and financing matchmaking service platform, connecting projects with investment institutions and industrial implementation resources to help secure early-stage funding.

2. Space and incubation support:

- Winning projects will be connected to various industrial parks, incubators, and maker spaces across Pudong.

- Winning projects will be linked to the "Fanhua" plan of the Pudong New Area Women Entrepreneurs Association.

- Eligible outstanding projects may receive one year of complimentary office space and incubation services to support accelerated implementation and growth.

3. Access to high-level competitions:

- Key projects distinguished by core technologies, innovative models, or high growth potential will be selected for direct access to high-level competitions such as the World Artificial Intelligence Conference Women's Forum, Shanghai Talent+ Global Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, "Maker in China" Shanghai SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and the "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

- The Pudong Women's Federation will recommend projects to a range of local innovation and entrepreneurship platforms, expanding exposure and strengthening channels for resource connectivity.

4. Mentorship and capacity building:

- Winning projects will have opportunities to visit leading technology innovation enterprises, engage with outstanding women entrepreneurs, receive guidance from professional mentors, and participate in supporting programs such as entrepreneurship workshops and founder communities.

5. Media coverage and brand promotion:

Municipal and district-level media, together with partner platforms, will provide extensive promotion for winning projects and their founders, including exclusive interviews with mainstream outlets and dedicated features on municipal and district women's federation WeChat accounts.

 

Source: Official website of Shanghai Haiyun Women's Entrepreneurship and Employment Guidance Service Center