News
Home > International Innovation > News> The Third “Zhijiang Unity Qiantang Innovation Cup” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Successfully Concludes
The Third “Zhijiang Unity Qiantang Innovation Cup” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Successfully Concludes
图片及内容版权归CECCI所有，如发现侵权或盗用行为将追究法律责任
All images and content are the property of CECCI. Any unauthorised use or infringement will result in legal action.
7th November 2025
On 5th November, the final and award ceremony of the third “Zhijiang Unity Qiantang Innovation Cup” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition of the Hangzhou Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) was successfully held in Qiantang District. The event was guided by relevant departments of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee and jointly organised by the Hangzhou WRSA and other supporting institutions. Bryson Xue, Chairperson of the China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI), attended and presided over the conference, while Vice Chairperson Louise Wang was also present.
Ye Jianming, President of the Hangzhou WRSA and Vice Chairman of the 11th CPPCC Hangzhou Committee, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. Other attendees included Luo Mingyu, an official from the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee; Zhou Weidong, Member of the Party Working Committee of Qiantang New Area and Standing Committee Member of the Qiantang District Committee; and Ye Ganping, Committee Member of the Hangzhou Industrial Investment Group and Deputy General Manager. Over 120 representatives participated, including officials from municipal and district-level departments, members of the WRSA leadership teams at both levels, investment institutions, enterprises, and project representatives.
The “Zhijiang Unity Qiantang Innovation Cup” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is a municipal-level contest for western returnees, open to participants from around the world. Since its launch in June 2023, the competition has been held for three consecutive years, attracting over 150 entrepreneurial projects from more than 20 countries and regions, including Europe, North America, and Asia. The projects cover sectors such as intelligent connectivity, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, advanced equipment, new materials, and green energy. To date, 32 projects from the previous two competitions have successfully settled in Hangzhou.
The competition has played a significant role in supporting talent recruitment and investment attraction, while the concentration of high-quality projects has injected new momentum into cultivating new productive forces and empowering high-quality development in the region.
After a fierce selection process, the competition awarded one First Prize, four Second Prizes, five Third Prizes, and ten “Most Investable Projects” Awards. The Qiantang District WRSA was recognised as an “Outstanding Organising Unit”, while the High-tech Zone (Binjiang) Innovation Base, Western Returned Town–Transfar Science and Technology City, Hangzhou University Innovation Town Management Office, and Hezhuang Subdistrict of Qiantang District were honoured as “Excellent Business Platforms”.
During the event, a “Honghu Rising” Western Returned Scholars Project Matchmaking Session was also held. Representatives from municipal and district departments, industrial platforms, and project teams conducted in-depth discussions on topics such as talent policies, international cooperation, financing channels, and living environments, achieving precise alignment of project needs and providing comprehensive support for future implementation and development.
Chairperson Bryson Xue presided over the conference and stated that the China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI) will continue to use culture as a medium to actively build a service platform supporting the development of overseas innovation and entrepreneurship projects in China. The Centre will promote the deep integration of science, technology, and culture, offer comprehensive support for overseas talent, and assist in the successful implementation of frontier technology projects in Hangzhou, contributing to the city’s goal of becoming a more dynamic and innovative metropolis.
图片及内容版权归CECCI所有，如发现侵权或盗用行为将追究法律责任
All images and content are the property of CECCI. Any unauthorised use or infringement will result in legal action.