Shanghai's Putuo district has launched an innovation and entrepreneurship competition for 2026 to boost technological innovation and attract global talent, with a ceremony held on June 24.

The launch ceremony marked the opening of the dual contest organized by the district: the Shanghai Global Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, a flagship talent initiative aimed at attracting global professionals and helping them establish themselves in the city, and the "Startup in Shanghai" International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Over the past 15 years, the latter has attracted more than 70,000 projects and helped incubate over 100 listed companies, fostering a strong ecosystem for early-stage, small-scale, and hard-tech-based projects.

The Putuo competition zone has attracted nearly 400 projects, with more than one-third of participants bringing international experience. This strong pool of high-caliber talent is expected to support the district's industrial transformation and high-quality development.

At the launch ceremony, local authorities unveiled new talent policies, and financial institutions offered tailored financing solutions, providing comprehensive support for entrepreneurs. The event also featured expert insights and success stories from previous winners, underscoring the competition's role in talent acquisition and enterprise growth.

Project roadshows and the judging process will continue until July 2, integrating diverse resources to strengthen the district's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

As the competitions progress, Putuo aims to expand its global talent network and deepen the integration of innovation, industry, capital, and talent, laying a stronger foundation for sustained development and long-term talent retention.

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Putuo Media Center