A total of 4,194 projects from around the world entered the ninth China (Jinan) New Growth Drivers Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest, with 230 advancing to the finals held in Jinan from Nov 5 to 7. This strong turnout reflects the city's efforts to attract global innovation resources and align talent development with its industrial priorities.

The entries covered five major fields: electronic information and advanced software; high-end equipment and intelligent manufacturing; modern medicine and biomanufacturing; advanced materials and new energy equipment; and modern agriculture and green environmental protection.

The contest also featured six specialized tracks focused on emerging industries, including brain-computer interfaces and brain health, quantum technology, aerospace, and the low-altitude economy, opening up opportunities to connect frontier research with industrial applications.

To broaden its reach, the competition established five overseas and domestic regional divisions in Hungary, Germany, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Macao, alongside 11 domestic divisions in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Among the submissions were 46 projects led by teams of academicians from China and abroad.

Beyond the competition, more than 10 parallel events brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry representatives for policy briefings, business matchmaking, financial services, and visits to industrial parks. The contest also provides year-round support through project screening, industry connections, and follow-up incubation, with more than 60 roadshows and matchmaking events planned throughout the year.

So far, 107 participating projects have been established in Jinan, underscoring the competition's role in translating innovation into industrial development.

The ninth China (Jinan) New Growth Drivers Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest holds its finals in Jinan from Nov 5 to 7. [Photo/VCG]

A brain-computer interface project on display at the ninth China (Jinan) New Growth Drivers Innovation and Entrepreneurship Contest. [Photo/WeChat account: baoyan]