The 3rd Hengqin International Scientific and Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has kicked off in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. With a total prize pool of RMB300 million, the competition welcomes outstanding innovation enterprises across the globe.
The competition has also created a new award, the “New Green Lotus Award”, to attract entrants from Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries. Its prize amounts to RMB8 million, which will be shared by 10 winning teams, with at least two teams from lusophone countries.
The competition marks the first sci-tech competition held by Hengqin and Macau jointly after the operation of the Cooperation Zone. Hosted by the Executive Committee of the Cooperation Zone, it is organized by the Economic Development Bureau of the Cooperation Zone, with support from the SAR’s Economic and Technological Development Bureau and the Science and Technology Development Fund.
This year’s competition further focuses on the major industries of the Cooperation Zone, including integrated circuits and electronic components, biomedicine and medical devices, big data and artificial intelligence, new materials and new energy.
In addition, it will prioritize those technology innovation projects that have made innovative achievements, and achieved key technological breakthroughs with high potential for industrialization.
According to Fu Yongge, deputy director of the Executive Committee of the Cooperation Zone, the competition is an important platform for investment attraction and talent introduction in the Cooperation Zone, and it is also an important initiative for the Cooperation Zone to assist Macau’s adequate economic diversification.
The competition has 31 awards, with 11 for the start-up group, 10 for the growth group and 10 for the “New Green Lotus Award”. And the top winner in the growth group will be awarded up to 100 million RMB as non-repayable funding to subsidize its R&D expenses and investment facilities. Staff Reporter
