Hangzhou's 2026 Global Innovation Competition

Win US$70K in Cash Prizes & Up to US$5M in Startup Support!

About

The "Creating The World (创客天下)" Hangzhou Overseas High-Level Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is organized by the Hangzhou Municipal Government, hosted by the Municipal Talent Office, the Municipal Human Resources Bureau, and the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, with various districts in Hangzhou participating. It is an innovation and entrepreneurship event held for identifying global talents, and potentially attracting them to establish their ventures in Hangzhou, China by providing a wide range of financial and policy support and incentives.

Since 2015, the competition has been successfully held for 11 sessions, with a total of more than 10,000 projects from more than 30 countries and regions participating in the competition, and more than 300 projects have been officially registered in Hangzhou, with a registered capital of more than 3 billion yuan.‍‍

The competition invites overseas talents with global innovation and entrepreneurship work experience, who possess innovative technologies or results with good market prospects, and who are interested in innovating and starting businesses in Hangzhou.

Whether you're an overseas Chinese innovator or an international entrepreneur, we've got a spot for you

The best part? It is completely FREE to participate!

‍

Why Hangzhou?

Hangzhou is celebrated as China's burgeoning hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, blending a rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology. Renowned as the birthplace of leading tech giants such as Alibaba, NetEase, Geely (which acquired Volvo Cars), and the newly popular AI leader DeepSeek, this city continues to shape the future of global tech.

Beyond its scenic beauty and iconic West Lake, Hangzhou boasts a thriving economic landscape that's ripe for startups. The local government fosters a highly supportive environment through favorable policies, funding programs, and a strong network of eager investors. Its strategic location in the Yangtze River Delta further boosts its appeal as a trade and talent hub.

With world-class infrastructure, a growing talent pool from top universities, and a vibrant ecosystem of incubators and accelerators, Hangzhou attracts forward-thinking creators and entrepreneurs ready to bring their bold ideas to life.

‍

Apply Now

Cash Prizes

Other Benefits

Winning projects are eligible to apply for the Binjiang High-tech Zone (Hangzhou) "5050 Talent Program", which offers comprehensive startup support, including:

~ Up to RMB 1 million in startup funding
~ Up to RMB 10 million in R&D expense reimbursement
~ Up to RMB 3 million in office space subsidies
~ Up to RMB 20 million through the 5050 Talent Fund

Additional support, including bank loan interest subsidies, financing incentives, and funding for top talent development

Throughout the competition, project matchmaking activities will be organized, connecting participating startups with investors, industry-leading companies, and industrial parks to facilitate funding, partnerships, and commercialization opportunities.

Apply Now

Eligibility & Focus Areas

General Eligibility Requirements

Age Requirement: Chinese Mainland passport holders must be aged 50 or below; there is no age limit for other passports.
Repeated Participation: Applicants who have already participated in the competition twice in previous editions are not eligible to participate again.
Educational Criteria: Hold a Master’s degree or above, earned outside China. You will be required to upload your highest degree certificate.
Commercial Intent: Interest in bringing projects to market and executing them in China is a significant advantage.
Innovation Focus: Projects must display significant innovation within the competition's scope.
Registration Status: Companies already registered in Hangzhou are not eligible.
Application Limit: Only one project is allowed for each contestant.

Competition Tracks

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Computer Vision

Embodied AI

Integrated Circuits (IC) / Semiconductors

Network Communications

AI-powered Application Scenarios

Other

Selection Criteria

Innovation: Assess the uniqueness and creativity of the startup's solution, including any patents that provide a competitive advantage.
‍Market Potential: Evaluate the size and viability of the market for the startup's offering.
Team Capability: Consider the skills and experience of the startup's team.
Traction: Examine the progress made by the startup since its inception, and whether it has garnered interest from potential customers and investors.
Scalability: Can the business grow rapidly and efficiently?
Financial Viability and Investability: Determine if the business is financially sustainable and attractive to potential investors.
Impact (if applicable): Does the startup have a positive social or environmental impact?
Application Quality: Evaluate the quality of the startup's application, including the pitch deck/business plan, and the clarity and relevance of responses to questions asked in the application form.

Apply Now

Timeline

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1/ Is the competition online or in person?

The competition is conducted online through the Semi-Finals. Finalists will be invited to pitch in person in Hangzhou, China, where the Finals and Grand Final will take place as part of the Hangzhou International Talents Exchange Conference.

To support international participants, eligible finalists receive a travel subsidy. Applicants travelling from outside Asia receive approximately RMB 7,000, while those travelling from within Asia receive approximately RMB 3,500. One registered applicant per team is eligible for the travel subsidy.

2/ Can I apply if I don't have a registered company?

Yes. The competition welcomes startups at all stages, from idea-stage teams to pre-IPO companies. Both incorporated startups and early-stage teams without a registered company are eligible to apply.

Companies already registered in Hangzhou are not eligible to participate.

3/ Do I need to be based in China?

No. The competition is open to startups and innovators from anywhere in the world. A presence in China is not required to participate or win cash prizes.

However, the competition is especially valuable for startups interested in commercializing or expanding into the Chinese market, providing access to investors, government organizations, industry partners, and commercialization opportunities.

4/ Do I need to establish a company in Hangzhou if I win?

Winning the competition does not require immediate incorporation in Hangzhou.

However, to access the full range of startup support available through the Binjiang High-tech Zone (Hangzhou) "5050 Talent Program," winning projects are generally expected to establish a company in Hangzhou in accordance with the organizer's policies.

5/ Are there cash prizes?

Yes. The competition offers equity-free cash prizes together with extensive startup support.

Cash awards include one First Prize of RMB 100,000, three Second Prizes of RMB 50,000 each, six Third Prizes of RMB 20,000 each, and ten Excellence Awards of RMB 10,000 each for projects advancing to the Semi-Finals but not reaching the Finals.

Winning projects are also eligible to apply for the Binjiang High-tech Zone (Hangzhou) "5050 Talent Program," which provides startup funding, R&D reimbursement, office space subsidies, talent funding, financing incentives, and project matchmaking opportunities with investors, corporations, and industrial parks.

6/ What language should I submit my application in?

Applications are accepted in English and Chinese. International applicants are encouraged to submit their applications in English.

7/ What is the application process?

Submit your application before the registration deadline. Each application will undergo an initial review, and applicants may be contacted if additional information or clarification is required.

Shortlisted teams will be notified by email as they progress through each stage of the competition according to the official timeline.

8/ Can I still apply if I don't have immediate plans to expand into China?

Yes. Startups from around the world are encouraged to participate, even if they do not currently have plans to establish operations in China.

The competition provides valuable exposure to leading investors, corporations, government organizations, and industry partners. If you later decide to expand into China, the competition's support programs and local ecosystem can help accelerate your market entry.

9/ My startup doesn't fit into one of the listed tracks. Can I still apply?

Yes. The competition welcomes startups from a wide range of industries. If your solution does not fit into one of the listed categories, simply apply under "Other."

Innovative startups from all industries are encouraged to apply

10/ Should I apply early?

We strongly recommend applying as early as possible.

Many China government-sponsored competitions allocate quotas on a rolling basis throughout the application period. A limited number of applicants may advance each month depending on quota availability.

As the competition progresses, competition generally becomes more competitive. Applying early gives you the best chance of success.

Past Editions

Selected Winners of Past Editions

Organizers & Partners‍

Organizer:
Hangzhou Municipal Government

Co-organizers:
Talent Office of the Hangzhou Municipal Government, Hangzhou Municipal Human Resources Bureau, Hangzhou Science and Technology Bureau