Registration has opened for the sixth Shanghai Global Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, with applications accepted until May 31. All enterprises and project teams registered in Lin-gang Special Area, or planning to establish operations in Lin-gang, are eligible to apply.

A view of Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area. [Photo/lingang.gov.cn]

The competition will unfold in three stages, with the Lin-gang preliminary round scheduled for June, the global semi-finals in August and the finals in October.

Six core tracks are open to participants, covering integrated circuits, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, green and low-carbon development, high-end equipment, and fashion consumption.

The competition will grant six gold awards, 24 silver awards, 48 bronze awards, and 120 excellence awards, accompanied by competition subsidies of 100,000 yuan ($14,627), 50,000 yuan, 30,000 yuan, and 5,000 yuan, respectively.

Participants will also have access to a range of support policies. Financial incentives include loan interest subsidies of up to 50 percent of actual interest paid, depending on loan type, as well as capital services linking companies with equity investment institutions and encouraging securities firms to provide integrated financial services.

Industrial support will also be available. Teams reaching the semi-finals can expand project exposure and resource connections, while excellence award winners may be recommended to settle in the Lin-gang sci-tech innovation station. Support will include rental discounts, free work spaces, policy application guidance, intellectual property services, and connections with investment institutions.

Winners of the global finals may receive matching support with national or municipal funding, capped at 2 million yuan, while newly established projects may qualify for comprehensive support of up to 10 million yuan to help accelerate commercialization and industrialization.