China-UK Entrepreneurship Competition

Posted on by Mark Gilbert

Here’s a great competition for aspiring entrepreneurs…

This competition focuses on 8 areas of technological innovation, namely robotics and automation systems and Internet of Things, satellite and space technology, medical technology and regenerative medicine, synthetic biology, agricultural technology, high-end materials, energy storage and energy saving, IT and digital technologies. The competition, jointly organised by China Innovation and Development Association (CIDA) UK, The UK-China Technology Innovation Association (UCTIA), Cocoon Global, YingDe Group and UKDE, is an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge and business creativity to a real world situation on an international stage. The competition has been organised every year consecutively for 11 years. Each year, the finalists will have the chance to visit China, pitch in front of Chinese provincial government officials and corporates representatives and win cash prizes. In previous years, the finals were hosted in cities such as Chongqing, Tianjin, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen etc.

Winner of this competition will receive the following rewards:

  • Graduate entry 1st prize is £1,000, 2nd prize £ 650. SME entry 1st prize is £2,000 and 2nd prize is £1,350.
  • The top four teams from either category (SME and Graduate) will be provided with a complimentary investment service for six months.
  • Up to £1,000 trip subsidy to China per team
  • Free access to 10 Cocoon Global Innovation events (worth £1,000)
  • Opportunity to participate freely for one day and one night at the Magna Carta Island event (worth  £2,000)

​During this period, each team will be introduced to at least one Chinese investor from our large pool of talented investors from China, based on the different circumstances of each business in terms of their specific needs.

The investors will not only provide the necessary funding, but they will also actively contribute to the teams their own expertise and network related to the Chinese market.  These soft skills will be of particular significance for those teams that have an existing or future China focus.

(the content of this post was supplied by the competition organisers)