The 6th Shanghai Global Talents Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition has opened for registration.

As one of the city's flagship talent events, the competition has attracted more than 41,851 projects from around the world. This year's edition continues to welcome global innovators to launch ventures in Shanghai, with details outlined below.

1. Registration period

April 7 to May 31, 2026

2. Competition schedule

- Registration: April 2026

- Global preliminary round: June 2026 (held concurrently across all competition zones).

- Global semifinals: August 2026, Shanghai.

- Global finals: October 2026, Shanghai.

3. Competition zones

This year's edition features 40 global competition zones:

- Overseas zones: Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania

- Domestic sub-zones: Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Harbin, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hefei, Suzhou, Xiamen, and Wenzhou

Note: For hotline information by competition zone, please visit the official website: www.hello-sh.com

4. Tracks

The competition focuses on Shanghai's modern industrial system and features six core tracks, covering projects at all stages, from seed to start‑up and growth.

This year, a special track has also been added to create dedicated pathways for disruptive thinking and micro‑entrepreneurial teams.

• Six core tracks

- Integrated Circuit

- Biomedicine

- Artificial Intelligence

- Green & Low‑Carbon

- High‑End Equipment

- Fashion Consumption

• Special Track:

- "Shanghai Talent+" former participants return track

- "AI for Science" special track

- "One Person Company" special track

• Stages

- Seed stage: Enterprises not yet registered in China

- Start‑up stage: Enterprises registered between Jan 1, 2021 (inclusive) and the application deadline for this edition

- Growth stage: Enterprises registered between Jan 1, 2016, and Dec 31, 2020

5. Access to other competitions for semifinalists

The competition provides semifinalists with access to other renowned international innovation and entrepreneurship competitions and events, including:

- Recommendations from key institutions, platforms, and individuals;

- Recommendations for "Shanghai Talent+" Open Day;

- National Disruptive Technology Innovation Competition;

- "Chunhui Cup" Chinese Overseas Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition;

- "Cultural and Creative Industry Shanghai" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition;

- "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

6. Awards

- Six Golden Awards

- 24 Silver Awards

- 48 Bronze Awards

- 120 Excellence Awards

7. Incentive policies

• Financial incentives:

- Winning projects may apply for up to 100 million yuan (about $14.7 million) in corporate credit loans.

- Enterprises advancing to the semifinals may receive up to 100 million yuan in guaranteed financing support.

- Winning team members may enjoy up to 1 million yuan in low‑interest personal credit loans.

• Industrial incentives:

- Winners without registered enterprises may receive up to 300 square meters of free office space.

- Priority access to rental subsidies, project support, and intellectual property services.

• Talent incentives:

- Eligible shortlisted participants may be selected for the Shanghai Magnolia Talent Plan or Oriental Talent Plan, and receive priority recommendation for national talent programs.

- Winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards may enjoy talent housing benefits and exclusive services as members of the Shanghai Talent+ Development Promotion Association.

- Hotline: 021-3305-0019

• Participation subsidies:

- Golden Award: 100,000 yuan

- Silver Award: 50,000 yuan

- Bronze Award: 30,000 yuan

- Excellence Award: 5,000 yuan

• Talent referral incentives:

Institutions or individuals who refer talent and projects to the competition will be rewarded based on the project's advancement. Those whose recommended projects reach the finals may receive up to 500,000 yuan per competition edition.

For more information, please visit the official website of Shanghai Talent+ at www.hello-sh.com.

 

Source: Official website of Shanghai Talent+ Global Talents Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition