To attract and gather global talent and entrepreneurial investment projects and to establish high-level talent teams, industry innovation technologies, and various venture capital connection platforms, the 2024 Pudong New Area ‘Pearl Cup’ Entrepreneurship Competition officially launches. This initiative aims to provide better intellectual support for the International Talent Development Pilot Zone and the creation of world-class industrial clusters.

Entry Requirements

Focus on entrepreneurial projects in three priority industries, six pillar verticals and five future industries: 

• Three Priority Industries: Semiconductors, Biomedicine, Artificial Intelligence 

• Six Pillar Verticals: China Chip (Domestic Integrated Circuits), Innovative Drugs, Intelligent/Advanced Manufacturing, Blue-sky dream (Environmental Protection), Future Vehicles, Data Centres Port

• Five Major Future Industries: Future Information, Future Health, Future Intelligence, Future Energy, Future Space

1. Contestant should generally obtain a master's degree or above from a well-known university in China or  abroad, have entrepreneurial experience or formal position experience in well-known universities, scientific research institutions, and/or well-known companies; Entry should be only be submitted by the first founder or one of core team member of the participating project. Only one entry/project per entity/team is allowed for each contestant. 

2. The participating project should have innovative technology, products or business service models, have strong growth potential and potential to drive employment, and the project should have completely independent intellectual property rights. If the participating project has a registered entity in China, it must be less than 3 years (registered after January 1, 2021). This 3-year requirement does not apply to your entity outside China. 

Competition Timeline

1. Singapore Nomination via this Google Form by 28 Nov 2024 (if require XNode assistance)

2. Competition Registration/Application - by 30th November 2024 (Direct or via XNode Shanghai Office)

3. Preliminary round (online judging) - early December 2024

4. Semi-final and final (roadshow + Q&A) - December 2024

5. Award ceremony - January 2025

More about the "Pearl Cup": https://bit.ly/pc2024en

Contact us [email protected].

Through a case study, we will examine an experimental project that integrates local craftsmanship and artistry, demonstrating how architecture can support local economies and champion cultural narratives.

The discussion will also highlight how non-invasive building techniques - such as prefab construction, adaptive reuse, and upcycled materials - minimise the footprint on natural landscapes.

With these principles, we envision a future where hospitality and travel developments create not only sustainable but also enriching environments that encourage visitors to engage meaningfully with local traditions and lifestyles, without reducing them to mere attractions.

Supported and Encouraged by LinkedIn, LinkedIn Local™ is a trademark of LinkedIn Corporation and is used under license. However, LinkedIn Local™ events are not sponsored or operated by LinkedIn.

Linkedin Local™ - Singapore events are live, in-person experiences, that bring together LinkedIn members in Singapore. Organised by LinkedIn Local™ - Singapore digital producer Kia-Khing (JQ) Low (Lu), these events are to strengthen existing LinkedIn connections and to build new ones!

On behalf of the People’s Government of Longgang District, Shenzhen, we are honoured to invite you to the 2024 Shenzhen (Longgang) – Singapore Economic & Trade Cooperation Conference, to be held on 15 November 2024, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at M Hotel Singapore City Centre. This event presents an exclusive opportunity to meet with 16 top-tier companies from China seeking partnerships and expansion in Southeast Asia. These companies represent cutting-edge advancements in smart manufacturing, green tech, electric mobility, AI, and supply chain logistics—each led by senior representatives eager to connect with Southeast Asia’s ecosystem.

About Longgang District, Shenzhen

Longgang District, a prominent hub within Shenzhen, is strategically positioned as a major driver of China’s Greater Bay Area initiative. Known for its robust industrial ecosystem, Longgang is home to numerous high-tech enterprises like Huawei and BYD Auto and innovative SMEs, with strong initiatives supporting international collaboration and market expansion. This trade mission to Singapore underscores Longgang’s dedication to deepening cooperation with Singapore in high-potential sectors.

About the 2024 Shenzhen (Longgang) – Singapore Economic & Trade Cooperation Conference

This forum represents a pivotal component of a three-day delegation visit from Longgang to Singapore, scheduled from 13 to 15 November 2024. The delegation includes key government representatives from Longgang District, officials from the Shenzhen Bureau of Commerce, and leading industry executives. Together, they are eager to explore new collaborative pathways with Singaporean businesses.

15 November 2024 – Programme Highlights

1-2 pm

• Welcome and Coffee/Tea Reception

2-3 pm

• Opening Remarks: Speeches by representatives from the Embassy of China in Singapore and Shenzhen’s Longgang District.

• Market Briefings: Presentations on Shenzhen’s business environment and industry opportunities, including a dedicated overview of Longgang’s supportive ecosystem for cross-border expansion.

• Inaugural Ceremony: Launch of the Singapore–Greater Bay Area Enterprise Outbound Base, celebrating new business opportunities in both regions.

3-3:30 pm

• Coffee/Tea Break

3:30-5 pm

• Business Matching Sessions: One-on-one interactions to foster partnership opportunities with visiting Shenzhen enterprises (Meeting request: https://bit.ly/match1115).

This forum offers a unique platform for Singaporean and Chinese business leaders to connect, share expertise, and explore meaningful business partnerships that align with mutual goals of growth and innovation. We encourage you to take part in this distinguished event and leverage this opportunity to collaborate with pioneering enterprises from Longgang.

Please kindly confirm your attendance  https://bit.ly/cnszsg1511 by 12 November 2024 to secure your participation. Should you be interested in business matching sessions, please express your interests here: https://bit.ly/match1115 .

For any queries or additional assistance, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you and facilitating fruitful connections at this significant cross-border forum.

Fueling Innovation: The Nordic Open Innovation Challenge

The Nordic Open Innovation Challenge is a unique opportunity to collaborate with Enterprise Singapore and leading Nordic corporates to drive innovation in categories such as quality control and sustainability.

Singapore-based SMEs and startups are invited to address critical challenges of the Nordic market.

Categories: 

• Quality Control

• Sustainability

Benefits: Gain access to co-development opportunities, developmental grant and funding support, and marketing features for your business and technologies.

Application deadline: 17 February 2025 

Start your application here: https://bit.ly/noic-sg-innovate

Calling all startups and SMEs worldwide!

Join the AI Open Innovation Challenge in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore and Agorize, and be part of a global platform that pushes the boundaries of AI technology. With a focus on AI for operational efficiency and guest experience, AI for Social and Environment Impact, AI for surveillance and security, or Open Category,, this is your chance to showcase your expertise and drive the future of innovation.

Why Participate?

• Up to S$210,000 in Grants & Paid Trials: Unlock funding for prototyping and proof-of-concept development.

• Mentorship from Industry Leaders: Collaborate with experts from global companies like Seatrium, Safran, Toyota Tsusho, and others.

• Technical Support from AWS & Google Cloud: Gain direct access to AWS and Google Cloud’s technical teams, if shortlisted, for expert guidance on scaling your AI solution.

• Global Visibility: Showcase your innovation on a global stage to top investors and industry experts actively seeking AI solutions.

• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with key decision-makers and leaders driving AI adoption across industries.

Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize industries with your cutting-edge AI technology. Shape the future, gain global exposure, and turn your AI vision into reality!

➡️ Click here and find out more: https://bit.ly/aioic-2024-sginnovate

Step into the future of sustainability with the 6th edition of the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge! In partnership with Enterprise Singapore and Agorize, we’re calling on visionary startups and SMEs from around the globe to showcase bold, transformative solutions that drive sustainable change.

This year’s challenge features pivotal categories:

• Climate Change

• Green Buildings

•  Sustainable Agriculture

• Sustainable Materials

• Open Category

➡️ Submit Early for Investor Feedback

By 6 January 2025, you could get the chance to receive exclusive feedback from investors and improve your proposal for the challenge. This could lead to future investment opportunities!

Prizes and Opportunities

• Total prize pool exceeding S$2,500,000

• Mentorship and co-development opportunities

• Prototyping, proof-of-concept grants, and funding

• Marketing features to showcase your business and technologies

• Incentives for the Open Category: S$75,000 prize from Hexagon, automatic entry to TLC 2025 with potential inclusion for Temasek C3H (Catalytic Capital for Climate & Health).

Final Submission Deadline: 27 January 2025

Turn your ideas into real-world solutions and lead the charge for a sustainable future!

Programme Schedule:

1. 3.00 pm - Registration

2. 3.30 pm - Welcome Note - Dr Lim Joo Ghee, Director School of EEE

3. 3.40 pm - Intro to IES/IES-INCA - Andy Wee, GM @ IES-INCA

4. 3.50 pm - Presentation by Speakers

Speaker 1: Jack Sim, Founder @ BOP Hub / World Toilet Organization

Speaker 2: Ong Gin Keat - Founder @ Envcares

Speaker 3: Dr Adrian Ang - Director, Corporate Development & New Businesses at Chye Thiam Maintenance / IES Chartered Engineer Board - Sector Chair for Sustainability 5. 4.20 pm - Bio Break 6. 4.50 pm - Panel Discussion & Q&A with 1 moderator and 3 speakers / Moderator : Sumathy Krishna - Sustain Path

7. 5.40 pm - Message by Sponsors

8. 5.45 pm - Promotion ‘EEE Digital Skills Training for AI Transformation’ - Mr Say Seng GOH, Dy Director School of EEE

9. 5.50 pm - Networking

10. 7.00 pm - End of event

China is the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP, behind the United States, and since 2017 has been the world's largest economy when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP). China accounted for 19% of the global economy in 2022 in PPP terms, and around 18% in nominal terms in 2022. The opportunities cannot be ignored.

Doing business in China offers benefits such as a booming Chinese economy backed by a large consumer market of 1.4B residents. The Chinese government has trade deals and supportive policies that could help expedite your expansion plans.

A strong understanding of the local Chinese business environment and culture for foreign companies navigating the Chinese market is a must, in addition dealing with business issues such as securing your intellectual property rights is of key importance.

With a booming economy, a growing middle class, and supportive corporate tax rates that encourage foreign direct investment (FDI), expanding your business to penetrate the vibrant and vast Chinese consumer market that offers amazing business growth opportunities once you get past the challenges.