The X·TIME 2025 International Entrepreneurship Competition finals kicked off in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area on Dec 18. A total of 128 top-tier scientific and technological innovation teams from around the globe have converged to compete for 63 prestigious awards over the two-day event.

Since its launch in May, the competition has focused on cutting-edge sectors such as integrated circuits, high-end equipment, digital economy, new energy vehicles, and civil aviation, forming a global innovation network.

With five concurrent venues in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Milan, and Silicon Valley, the event attracted 680 high-quality projects. After rigorous evaluations, 128 elite teams advanced to the finals, comprising both local forces tackling bottleneck technologies and overseas scientist teams seeking industrialization for their original innovations.

The finals resembled a tech expo, showcasing projects in AI, biopharmaceuticals, new materials, and new energy that align closely with Lin-gang's blueprint for a science and technology innovation hub.

An aerial view of the Sci-Tech Innovation Headquarters Bay in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area. [Photo/lingang.gov.cn]

During the event, the high-tech division of the Lin-gang Special Area Administration provided tailored policy interpretations and guidance, transforming competition excitement into tangible development paths in Lin-gang.

Looking ahead, Lin-gang aims to establish a sustained innovation value cycle by identifying promising startups through the competition, accelerating their growth through ecosystem support, and nurturing them into thriving contributors to Lin-gang's industrial cluster.