WeStart TOP100, part of the "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, serves not only as a roadshow platform, but also as an access to the Chinese market, Shanghai's innovation ecosystem and opportunities to launch projects in the city.

The "Startup in Shanghai" competition opened to international entrepreneurs for the first time through WeStart TOP100 in 2025, with 71 overseas teams from 21 countries selected to participate.

In 2026, the competition's international reach continues to grow, extending to more markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Singapore. By attracting high-quality global projects, the competition aims to foster collaboration across technology, capital, and industry, while drawing young talent in science and technology to launch ventures in Shanghai.

The 2026 WeStart TOP100 Netherlands leg was held in The Hague on June 5, with a focus on connecting Europe's cutting-edge technology with Shanghai's industrial resources.

The event received support from the Netherlands' innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, including innovation parks, tech platforms, investment institutions, and industry partners.

Submitted projects spanned a range of high-potential sectors, including artificial intelligence and its applications, biomedicine, smart agriculture, and intelligent industrial robotics.

More than 50 representatives from participating teams, Sino-Dutch innovation and entrepreneurship organizations, investment firms, industry players, and overseas student associations attended the event.

A total of 10 outstanding tech startup teams were selected to advance to the Netherlands division's final pitch session in The Hague. Their presentations focused on technological innovation, business models, industrial implementation, global potential, and synergy with Shanghai's innovation ecosystem.

Two teams ultimately secured places in the global semifinals to be held in Shanghai in September. They were XiniX AI, which addresses inspection challenges in confined industrial spaces, and ProSweet Bioworks, which leverages advanced precision fermentation technology to transform the production of sweet proteins.

The 2026 WeStart TOP100 London leg was held in the City of London on June 8, with a focus on the deep-tech sector. A total of 10 early-stage projects from the UK and elsewhere in Europe, each with independent intellectual property rights and strong technological capabilities, were shortlisted for live pitch presentations.

A professional jury panel composed of senior industry experts and investors from both China and the UK evaluated the projects across five key dimensions: market potential, business model viability, technological innovation, team strength, and global scalability.

The two winning enterprises advanced to the semifinal roadshow round to be held in Shanghai in September. Ori Biotech won first place on the strength of its core team and biotechnology capabilities, while SustainGRC secured the runner-up position.

Sources: Shanghai Observer, "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition