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Hangzhou's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition: Attracting Global Talent

Hangzhou, a city widely recognized for its vibrant cultural heritage and technological advancements, is set to hold its annual Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents. The theme for 2025, "Creating the World • Sailing to the Future", signifies not just a celebration of innovation but also a testament to the city’s dedication to attracting the brightest minds from around the globe.

The competition serves as a comprehensive platform aimed at overseas-educated individuals and foreign entrepreneurs. It features specialized activities tailored for international talents, including mentorship opportunities, curated training sessions, and spaces to connect with potential investors through various networking events like job fairs and startup salons. Notable among these initiatives is the Maker Rainbow Bridge, which fosters collaboration and creativity among participants.

To entice more global talents to participate, winning projects are rewarded with not only financial prizes but also extensive policy support, which includes tax incentives, rent subsidies, financing guarantees, and preferential loans. This robust backing positions Hangzhou as a supportive environment for new ventures.

Over the years, Hangzhou has made significant strides in cultivating an appealing ecosystem for entrepreneurs, establishing 11 entrepreneurship parks specifically designed for overseas-educated individuals at national, provincial, and municipal levels. One such initiative is the Overseas Returnee Town Entrepreneurship Park, which is steered by private investments and further amplifies the city’s capacity to accommodate foreign entrepreneurs.

For an impressive 14 consecutive years, Hangzhou has been celebrated as the “Most Attractive Chinese City for Foreign Talent.” This consistency is significantly attributed to its dynamic entrepreneurial landscape, aligning closely with the demands and trends of various industries.

The 2025 competition reflects the industrial development trends in Hangzhou, focusing on sectors pivotal to the modern economy such as the digital economy, health and wellness, and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, it introduces groundbreaking fields like artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, and digital medicine, thereby easing the integration of winning projects into Hangzhou’s growth narrative.

In its eleven-year history, the competition has garnered over 12,000 project submissions, with nearly 400 projects successfully launching in Hangzhou, amassing a registered capital exceeding 3 billion RMB. Teams comprising PhD holders from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany have been drawn to Hangzhou, affirming the city’s international influence and appeal.

What began as a slogan—branding Hangzhou as the ‘first choice for overseas-educated entrepreneurs’—is now evolving into a practical reality for an increasing number of global talents. With strong policy support and unparalleled industry opportunities, the city is on track to establish itself as a significant landmark on the global innovation map.

The call for participation in the 2026 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents is now open, welcoming global innovators and entrepreneurs to be part of Hangzhou's transformative journey.