Shanghai's Pudong New Area has launched the "Pearl Cup" Entrepreneurship Competition, offering competitive incentives for outstanding projects.

I. Highlights

- New competition format:

This year's edition features three categories, six tracks, and multiple global competition zones.

- Major incentives:

The competition offers equity investment worth tens of millions of yuan, cash grants worth millions of yuan, and multiple policy subsidies.

- Fast-track policy access:

Outstanding contestants will be recommended as candidates for Pudong New Area's "Pearl Talent Plan", a talent recruitment initiative designed to attract top-tier professionals in science, technology, and innovation.

- Full-chain support:

The competition provides full-chain support, including talent services, incubation space, financing matchmaking, and policy support.

II. Eligibility

- Team Category:

Teams not yet registered as enterprises

- Start-up Category:

Enterprises registered between Jan 1, 2023, and the registration deadline

- Growth Category:

Enterprises registered between Jan 1, 2021, and Dec 31, 2022

Note: Former winners of the first prize, second prize, or overseas returnee award, or those already selected as Pearl Leading Talent or Pearl Summit Talent, are not eligible to participate again.

III. Competition Tracks

- Integrated Circuit Track

- Biomedicine Track

- AI Intelligent Terminal Track

- AI Model and Application Track

- Future Industries Track

- Other Track

IV. Awards

1. First prize

- Recommended as a candidate for Pearl Leading Talent (Entrepreneurship Category).

- Talent grant: One-time grant of one million yuan ($146,275) and a team award of 1.5 million yuan.

- Equity investment: Intended investment of up to 20 million yuan.

- Space support: Annual rent subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan for three consecutive years; rent-free access to a dedicated incubation base.

- Policy subsidies: Entrepreneurship subsidy of up to three million yuan for high-growth youth science and technology innovation projects; low-rent youth apartments in Pudong New Area.

2. Second prize

- Recommended as a candidate for Pearl Elite Talent (Entrepreneurship Category).

- Talent grant: One-time grant of 500,000 yuan.

- Equity investment: Intended investment of up to five million yuan.

- Space support: Annual rent subsidy of up to 300,000 yuan for three consecutive years; rent-free access to a dedicated incubation base.

- Policy subsidies: Entrepreneurship subsidy of up to three million yuan for high-growth youth science and technology innovation projects; low-rent youth apartments in Pudong New Area.

3. Excellence award

- Eligible for Pudong New Area's entrepreneurship support policies

- Equity investment: Intended investment of no more than two million yuan

- Space support: Rent-free access to a dedicated incubation base

- Policy subsidies: Low-rent youth apartments in Pudong New Area

4. Elite talent scout award

- Invitation to join Pudong New Area's Global Talent Partner Program.

- Reward of up to one million yuan for successfully bringing in talent and projects.

Notes:

1. Contestants advancing to the semifinals and finals may apply for free accommodation at Pudong International Talent Station during the competition period.

2. Award winners must take up their positions within two years to receive the corresponding rewards.

V. Competition schedule

Registration deadline: July 2026

- April 2026: Competition launch

- April to July 2026: Project solicitation

- August to September 2026: Preliminary round

- September to October 2026: Semifinals

- October to November 2026: Finals

VI. Registration

Scan the QR code below to register.

Website: https://pearlcup.pd-capital.cn

VII. Contact

Competition consultation: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday

- Wei: 137-6401-2668

- Wang: 138-1780-1909

System technical support

- Yu: 176-0021-1855

 

The organizing committee reserves the right of final interpretation.

 

Source: Official WeChat account of the Shanghai International Talent Center (ID: "sh-italent")