SPICI - Society for Innovation, Cooperation and Internationalisation, together with the International Technology Transfer Network (ITTN) and the ZGC Enterprise Service Representative Office in Italy, and in collaboration with InnovUp, Italy-China Council Foundation and Fabbrica Italiana dell'Innovazione, publishes the Notice for participation in the 9th Zhongguancun International Advanced Technology Competitionwithin the framework of the ZGC Forum 2026, which will be held in Beijing in April 2026.
What is the ZGC Forum
The ZGC Forum is one of the world's most prestigious events in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation. It takes place every year in the district of Zhongguancunknown as the "Chinese Silicon Valley". Promoted by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) e dal Chinese Ministry of Industry and IT (MIIT)the programme brings together every year government representatives, large technology companies, universities, research institutes and innovation hubs from around the worldto discuss technological development, international cooperation, innovation policies, and create new business opportunities between the China and the rest in the world in the technology-intensive sectors.
Competition 2026
In the setting of the ZGC Forum 2026, the 9th Zhongguancun International Advanced Technology Competition (Beijing, April 2026) aims to reward and promote internationally the ten best innovative start-ups with high potential by commercial development and of international expansion. Le winning companies - presenting to a qualified parterre of Chinese and international experts - have access to cash prizes, services of matchmaking, investment support and the intellectual propertyprivileged access to programmes for attracting foreign talent and businesses e incubation spaces in China.
Target audience and innovation themes
The notice is addressed to SMEs, start-ups and spinoffs with innovative projects or technologies in the following areas:
- Foundational AI Technologies
- AI-driven Applications and Solutions
- Innovative Drugs
- Medical Devices
- New Materials
- Innovative Cultural and Creative Industries
- FinTech
Opportunities for businesses
Selected companies will have the opportunity to
- Presenting yourself at a qualified parterre of Chinese and international experts;
- Expanding the network of contacts international to enter in the Chinese market;
- Participate in targeted matchmaking meetings;
- Access to investment and industrialisation opportunities;
- Get wide media visibility in the Chinese market;
- Access to incubation opportunities and talent and business attraction programmes;
- Participate free of charge in the ZGC Forum in case of access to the Final.
Le winning companies will have access to cash prizes, matchmaking services, investment and intellectual property support, privileged access to talent and foreign business attraction programmes and incubation spaces in China.
Modalities of participation
Participation is free and requires:
- La compilation in English of registration form at the following link: https://forms.gle/AK9Rt1BJc6DZpgmb7
- La notification of application at startup@spici.euindicating in the subject line
"ZGC Forum 2026, [Organisation Name], Registration Notification". and enclosing the following documentation:
-
- Chamber of Commerce Visura (possibly in English);
- Copy of identity document of the Legal Representative;
- Business Plan/Pitch in Englishwhich makes explicit the following aspects: main activities, technologies used, patents and IP, market positioning and growth prospects, third-party testing and certification, awards and recognitions, etc.
Deadlines
Applications must be submitted by 30 November 2025.
Support and information
Throughout the opening period of the Notice, the SPICI team will be available to participants for support and information. For info contact Carmine Russo - Project Manager, Internationalisation - at the following e-mail addresses: startup@spici.eu - russo@spici.eu
