4th Anhui Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition concludes at GUi

The grand finale of the fourth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition of Anhui was held at the Grand Union of Innovation (GUi) in Hefei, East China's Anhui province, on Dec 11.

The contest entries were divided into two categories: submissions from Anhui and those from outside the province, including international entries. The Anhui section, as well as the "Growth Group" and "Startup Group" from outside the province and overseas, were awarded one gold, two silver, and four bronze prizes.

The award ceremony of the fourth Anhui Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition is held. [Photo/GUi]

Organized by the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Anhui Province, in collaboration with seven other provincial departments, the competition aims to further promote the Anhui entrepreneurship action, enhance the competition's impact, and attract more high-level innovation and entrepreneurial teams and projects to land and transform in the region.

Continuing the theme from previous years, "entrepreneurship helps achieve your dreams, and Anhui grows with you", the competition was designed around Anhui's modern industrial system. The competition was organized across five regional divisions: one within Anhui province, three domestic regions (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao), and one overseas region.

The preliminary rounds in Anhui are organized by each city, with specific tracks based on local industry characteristics, while the semi-finals are organized at the provincial level.

Since its launch in July, the organizers, alongside the GUi, have conducted over 10 international roadshows in countries including Germany, Poland, the United States, and Canada, attracting over 21,000 participants both online and offline.

This year, the competition attracted over 4,700 outstanding projects, with more than 2,800 projects from Anhui and 1,900 from outside the province (including overseas). Notably, 36 percent of the project teams had PhDs, and 63.4 percent were in high-tech fields.

In the final round, each project had 10 minutes for a pitch and five minutes for judges' review. A total of 68 projects presented their achievements, core advantages, and business plans to a panel of expert judges.

The competition invited more than 20 distinguished investors, entrepreneurial education experts, well-known entrepreneurs, and incubator leaders to serve as judges. They evaluated projects on their feasibility, innovation, market potential, social impact, and team strength.

In the end, 21 projects were awarded prizes, including gold, silver, and bronze. The total prize pool reached 2.7 million yuan ($383,242.36), with the gold award winner receiving 500,000 yuan. GUi also offered up to 15 million yuan in additional support policies.

Trophies are awarded at the Anhui Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. [Photo/GUi]

The Anhui Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has now been held for four years. Through continuous efforts, the competition has strengthened its brand influence, attracting an increasing number of innovative and competitive entrepreneurial projects.

Moving forward, the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Anhui Province plans to further enhance entrepreneurship support, strengthen connections with high-level platforms like GUi, connect entrepreneurs with the government, universities, research institutions, and investment agencies, and create a more favorable business environment to support high-quality innovation and entrepreneurship.