On November 17, 2024, the highly anticipated National Finals of the 13th China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition – Nano Industry Technology Innovation Specialized Track concluded successfully at the Guangdong Greater Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation (hereinafter referred to as “GDI”). The finals brought together 50 nanotechnology enterprises from across China, distinguished by their strong innovativeness and significant high-growth potential. After intense competition, Shenzhen Photonic Crystal Technology Co., Ltd. claimed the championship in the Growth Category, while ISEP (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. won the First Prize in the Startup Category.

A Grand Opening: Witnessing the Technological Feast Together

The competition was jointly hosted by the Torch High-Tech Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Administrative Committee of Guangzhou High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, and the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology. It received special support from the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, and was organized by the National Nano-Intelligent Manufacturing Industry Innovation Center (hereinafter referred to as “Guona Zhizao”) and the Guangzhou Institute of Nanotechnology.

Since the competition’s launch, its distinctive professional positioning and broad influence have attracted numerous enterprises from across China to register. Following rigorous and meticulous review and screening in the preliminary round, 50 outstanding companies ultimately advanced to the finals.

At the opening ceremony of the grand finals, Liu Jun, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Development District Science and Technology Innovation Bureau and the Huangpu District Science and Technology Bureau of Guangzhou, delivered a speech on behalf of the organizers. He emphasized the profound impact of nanotechnology on multiple industries and its pivotal role in economic and social development. As pioneers in scientific and technological innovation, the Guangzhou Development District and Huangpu District have ranked among the top nationwide in innovation capacity for five consecutive years. Mr. Liu extended his warm congratulations to the companies that advanced to the grand finals, noting that Huangpu District boasts unique advantages in its innovation ecosystem and policy support, and he encouraged these enterprises to seize the opportunities and contribute to the advancement of nanotechnology.

Liu Jun, Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Development District Science and Technology Innovation Bureau and the Guangzhou Huangpu District Science and Technology Bureau

Wisdom Converges: Insights from Industry Leaders Pave the Way for the Future

Subsequently, the speeches delivered by five distinguished guests provided profound inspiration and food for thought for the audience. Chai Jianyu, Deputy Dean of the Guangna Institute, centered his address on “Building a New Ecosystem for the Translation of Nanotechnology Achievements to Empower the Development of New Quality Productive Forces.” He conducted an in-depth analysis of the current status and challenges associated with translating nanotechnology research outcomes into practical applications, and proposed pathways and strategies for establishing an efficient translation system.

Professor Zhang Zhengang from the School of Business Administration at South China University of Technology centered his discussion on “Mechanism Innovation: A New Engine for the Integrated Development of Science, Technology, and Industry in Guangdong.” He shared successful cases and experiential insights from Guangdong’s efforts in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, offering valuable references for the innovative development of the nano-industry.

Wang Zhitao, President of IPwe International, delivered a presentation themed “Dual-Engine Drive of ‘AI + IP’: A New Growth Pole for Hard-Tech Enterprises,” elucidating the pivotal role of artificial intelligence and intellectual property in accelerating the rapid development of hard-tech companies and offering participating enterprises new strategic perspectives for growth.

Sun Zuyue, Chairman of Guonakang Sai, approached the topic from the perspective of “CRO Service Innovation under Global Pharmaceutical Trends,” analyzed the current transformation trends in the pharmaceutical industry, and emphasized the importance of CRO services in facilitating efficient R&D for pharmaceutical companies and accelerating the market launch of new drugs, thereby providing strategic direction for entrepreneurs in the field of nanomedicine.

Yang Zhuo, General Manager of Guangzhou Industrial Investment Capital, shared the strategic layout and classic cases of Guangzhou Industrial Investment in promoting local industrial upgrading and fostering high-quality economic development under the theme “Industrial Investment and Upgrading: Guangzhou’s Practices and Reflections,” providing valuable references and insights for local governments and enterprises on how to collaboratively advance industrial upgrading.

Chai Jianyu, Vice President of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area National Institute of Nanotechnology Innovation, and President of the National Nano-Manufacturing Industry Innovation Center

Zhang Zhengang, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, and Director of the Guangzhou Digital Innovation Research Center

Wang Zhitao, President of IPwe International

Sun Zuyue, Chairman of Guangdong Guona Kangsai Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.; Member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Pharmacology and Toxicology for National Drug Registration Review; and Chairperson of the Reproductive Toxicology Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Toxicology

Yang Zhuo, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch and General Manager of Guangzhou Industrial Investment Capital, and Executive Director and General Manager of Guangzhou Industrial Investment Promotion Company

A Showdown of Innovation: Competing Enterprises Shine

The 50 outstanding enterprises advancing to the National Finals span multiple cutting-edge technological fields, including new materials, biopharmaceuticals, intelligent devices, and energy conservation and environmental protection. At the finals, they are divided into two categories—Start-ups and Growth Enterprises—to engage in a two-day showdown featuring roadshows and Q&A sessions.

The finals featured a distinguished panel of judges comprising technology experts, industry specialists, and venture capital professionals. The judges conducted a comprehensive and in-depth evaluation of the competing projects across multiple dimensions, including technological innovation, business model, market prospects, team strength, and financial status.

Under stringent evaluation criteria, participating companies showcased their core competencies. Shenzhen Photonic Crystal Technology Co., Ltd. demonstrated cutting-edge applications in transparent and AR displays with its leading photonic transparent chip (nanoAR™) display technology. Zhongshang Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. presented innovative solutions featuring novel semiconductor heating materials, highlighting their application prospects in energy conservation and environmental protection. Additionally, several other enterprises, such as Shenzhen Pulang Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Cytec New Material Technology Co., Ltd., exhibited unique technological advantages and market potential in fields including quantum dot optical films and nano-coating materials.

The judges attentively listened to each pitch, engaging in in-depth discussions with company representatives on key issues such as technical details, market positioning, and revenue models, while providing valuable advice and feedback. After multiple rounds of fierce competition, a cohort of companies that demonstrated outstanding performance in technological innovation, market traction, and team capabilities ultimately emerged victorious, successfully securing awards at the grand finals.

Crowned with Glory: The Awards Ceremony Forges a Moment of Brilliance

On the afternoon of November 17, the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the grand finals were held as scheduled, with the competition organizing committee presenting multiple awards.

He Bi, Deputy Director of the National Nanotechnology Innovation Institute in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Chairman of Guangna Fund

Feng Guiqiang, Party Secretary and Chairman of Beijing Zhongke Resources Co., Ltd.

In the Growing Enterprises Category, Shenzhen Photonic Crystal Technology Co., Ltd. won the First Prize for its photonic transparent chip (nanoAR™) display technology; Zhongshang Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Pulang Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. received the Second Prize; and Jiangsu Nameida Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., Pucui Supercritical (Guangdong) High-Tech Co., Ltd., and Guangzhou Xisenmeike New Material Technology Co., Ltd. were awarded the Third Prize.

Winners List for the Startup Category and Growth Enterprise Category in the Grand Finals

In the startup category, ISEP (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. won the first prize for its peptide-drug conjugate R&D platform; Shanghai Juguang Kexin Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Yiwei Zhiyao Technology Co., Ltd. received the second prize; and Guangzhou Lvtan Nano Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Inno Advanced Materials Technology Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Zhongrou Technology Co., Ltd. were awarded the third prize.

Comprehensive Support to Accelerate the Growth of Award-Winning Enterprises

China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition – Nano Industry Technology Innovation Specialized Competition. As a national-level platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, the competition has dedicated itself to the field of nanotechnology for nine years, successfully cultivating a cohort of enterprises with core competitiveness and injecting strong momentum into industry development.

The support mechanism for this competition has been comprehensively upgraded. In addition to providing pre-competition training, resource matchmaking, implementation services, and promotional support, the competition innovatively introduces AI-based project evaluation to precisely analyze participating enterprises and help them enhance their market competitiveness. Winners of the finals will not only receive cash awards but also have the opportunity to secure special funding of up to RMB 10 million for achievement transformation, enjoy rent reductions of up to RMB 1 million, and benefit from professional mentoring by renowned investment institutions as well as R&D and supply chain resource support from industry-leading enterprises.

Among them, Guangna Institute and Guona Intelligent Manufacturing, as key supporting forces of the competition, played a crucial role. The two entities worked closely together to build an integrated platform by leveraging industry resources,Special Funding for Achievement Transformation, Support for Industrial Technology Platforms, Joint R&D and Application Innovation, Integrated Innovation Verification and Demonstration, Industrial Patent Analysis and Operation, Collaboration with Industry Leaders, Sci-Tech Investment and Technology Finance, Marketing Channel Expansion, and Project Implementation Environment and PoliciesThis all-encompassing, integrated innovation ecosystem provides robust support for award-winning enterprises to overcome the challenges of industrialization. Empowered by this ecosystem, startup projects from over 20 cities across China have actively participated, with strong backing from nearly 100 investment institutions and ecosystem partners. Together, they have driven the translation and application of nanotechnology achievements, creating a powerful brand effect in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, the competition will continue to leverage its strengths in integrating nanotechnology innovation with industry, delve deeply into projects involving key core technologies, provide professional guidance and resource matchmaking, promote the deep integration of nanotechnology with multiple industries, and contribute to the high-quality development of China’s nanotechnology industry.

Special Thanks

Acknowledgements to the Following Organizations for Their Strong Support of the Competition(No particular order)

Co-organizer

Guangzhou Nano Industry Investment Co., Ltd.

Beijing Zhongke Resources Co., Ltd.

Strategic Alliance for Technological Innovation in the Nanotechnology Industry

Beijing Nanotechnology Industry Innovation Alliance

Shanghai Nanotechnology Association

Chongqing Nanotechnology Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance

Anhui Strategic Alliance for Technological Innovation in Nanomaterials and Applications Industry

Henan Province Strategic Alliance for Technological Innovation in the Nanomaterials Industry

Sichuan Nanotechnology Association

Beijing New Materials and New Energy Technology Development Center

Shanghai Nanotechnology and Industry Development Promotion Center

National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine

Wuhan Institute of Biotechnology

Chongqing Association for the Promotion of Industry-University-Research Cooperation

Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Southwest University, Henan University

Strategic Cooperation Partner

Beijing Zhongke Resources Co., Ltd., Guangdong Yueke Financial Group Co., Ltd.

Supporting Organizations

CSPC Fund, Guangna JinFu, Yisibang, Natong Technology, GF Securities, Industrial Bank, Bank of China, Guangdong Productivity Promotion Association, Shenzhen Zhili Qianren, Tianjin University Alumni Association, Kayskem International Technical Service Co., Ltd., Cyzone, China Merchants Bank

Ecosystem Partners

Shenzhen Capital Group, Fortune Venture Capital, CAS Venture Capital, Guangzhou Financial Holdings Fund, Guangzhou Industrial Investment Capital, Wanlian Securities, Guangzhou Development District Industrial Fund, Mingxin Capital, Yuanhe Origin, SAIF Partners, Yuekai Capital, Rongtai Zhonghe, Huangpu Investment, Jingcheng Capital, Sinovation Capital, SDIC Innovation, Dami Venture Capital, Heda Capital, Zhongtian Huifu, Yanghe Investment, Huihua Fund (National Civil-Military Integration Fund), Yanyuan Venture Capital (Peking University Official Investment Fund), China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the National Health Commission, OCT Kangkong Fund, Cybelle Capital, Yuanming Capital, Qinzi Capital, Shuling Capital, Bangming Capital, Xiechuang Fund, Lihua Investment, Mifang Capital, Guoju Venture Capital, Binfu Capital, Zhongnan Venture Capital, National Center for Innovation in High-Performance Medical Devices, Natong Heyi Guangye, Suikai Investment

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Judging Panel Organization

National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Entrepreneurship College of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou Industrial Investment Capital Management Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Financial Holdings Fund, Beijing Jinke Junchuang Investment Management Co., Ltd., National Civil-Military Integration Fund Co., Ltd., Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Umate (Beijing) Environmental Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Radio & Television Pingyun Capital Management Co., Ltd., Danlu Capital, GF Securities, Guangdong Yueke Financial Group Co., Ltd.

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Other Participating Organizations

Guangzhou Dexin Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Yipeng Aviation Group Company, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Yin Guo Investment Management Co., Ltd., Bank of China, Sun Yat-sen University, Yushun Digital Technology, New Henglida Capital, Guangzhou Luolang New Materials Co., Ltd., Guangna Jiayuan Guangzhou Technology Co., Ltd., Suikai Investment, Guangzhou Xie Nuo Chentu Equity Investment Management Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Yongtenai Wood Adhesive Trading Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Guangna Huichuan Technology Co., Ltd., Huangpu Investment Holdings (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangdong) Talent Port, Guangdong Delong Magneto-Electric Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Qizheng New Materials Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Industrial Investment Capital Management Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Jinda Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., Guangna Jiayuan Guangzhou Co., Ltd., Medical and Elderly Care Team of China Merchants Bank Guangzhou Branch, Guangdong Lvlong Technology Co., Ltd., Guangna Dakang (Guangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, Investment Banking Department of China Construction Bank Guangdong Provincial Branch, Guangna Jinfu Technology Development Co., Ltd., Chaofan, China Merchants Bank, Shenzhen Qianhai Liyuan Investment Partnership, Guangdian Intellectual Property Agency, Tianjin Yongxu New Materials Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Tata Intellectual Property Service Co., Ltd., Qianxing Capital Management (Hengqin) Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Sanhuan Patent & Trademark Agency Co., Ltd., Hebei Coastal Fund, Guangzhou Mosen Automatic Control Technology Co., Ltd., Bank of China Guangzhou Development District Sub-branch, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Talent Port, Beijing Jiajia Intellectual Property Agency Co., Ltd., South China University of Technology, Bank of China Guangzhou Dongshan Sub-branch, Bank of China Limited Guangzhou Development District Sub-branch, Guangna Institute Safety Assessment Center, Guangna Kangsai, Guangzhou Guangna Tefei Technology Co., Ltd., Bank of China Dasha East Road Sub-branch, Industrial Bank Guangzhou Smart City Sub-branch, Industrial Bank Smart City Sub-branch, Former National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Current Archives Consultant of the Science and Technology Development Department of Guangna Institute, Secretariat of the Nano Industry Alliance, Guangna Siwei Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd., Bank of China Guangdong Provincial Branch, Guangzhou Development District Intellectual Property Association, Tianjin Mutong Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., Yuecai Zhongyin Fund, China Merchants Bank Guangzhou Branch Yinglong Plaza Sub-branch, Guangzhou Investment Promotion Office of the Xingtai Municipal Investment Promotion Office in Shenzhen

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