2026 AI startup competition
For individual founders, startups and SMEs. AI hardware, software and products. Ideas and projects in development are welcome.
Eligible projects can apply for community incubation, industry connections and up to 12 months of rent-free workspace.
Explore supportChoose hardware, software or product by your core outcome. The examples are starting points, not limits. Bring cross-disciplinary ideas and new product formats.
Bring AI into devices, physical products and intelligent systems.
EXAMPLES · NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LISTCreate new capabilities in sensing, interaction and autonomous action. Explore new device categories.
Create new tools, platforms and ways of working with AI.
EXAMPLES · NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LISTBuild tools, platforms and systems for individuals, businesses or industries.
Create content, products and experiences people can use and enjoy.
EXAMPLES · NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LISTBuild around content, IP and experiences. Explore new forms of expression and products.
Industry settings include, but are not limited to, these sectors. Start with a real need and describe your industry, target users and specific application in the form.
Choose the direction that best reflects your core innovation and describe your industry and specific need in the form. Tools, platforms and systems generally fit Software; content, IP and experiences generally fit Product. The committee can help if you are unsure.
Examples are not limits. Cross-disciplinary projects, emerging applications and new product categories are welcome.
Connect with the LIN·STARX OPC International Community in Lingang, Shanghai. Find space and connections for your next stage of growth.
Eligible projects joining the community can apply for up to 12 months of rent-free workspace, leaving more room to focus on your product and market.
Meet leading industry companies, potential collaborators and investors through the community. Explore real needs, product validation, commercial partnerships and funding conversations.
Ventures established in Lingang that meet local requirements may apply for relevant support. The community helps connect you with local resources and policy guidance.
Quality projects that pass initial reviews but do not advance may apply for incubation assessment. You can also apply directly. Admission to the Lingang OPC incubation programme follows a dedicated review.
Workspace support is subject to community admission, availability and the occupancy agreement. The community confirms the term and services. Introductions enable conversations; investment and partnerships remain the decisions of the parties involved.
Local establishment requirements include business registration, actual operations and tax administration in Lingang Special Area. Meeting these requirements does not automatically secure a subsidy; each scheme has its own sector, project and application criteria, subject to the relevant authority’s review.
Official Lingang OPC policy overviewOPC stands for One-Person Company. Here, it describes a way of building with AI, automation and a wider ecosystem: one founder or a small core team can create value that once required a much larger organization.
OPC describes a starting point, not a limit on your growth.Makers, startups, SMEs, research commercialization teams and international teams are welcome. Tell us about your idea, development work, prototype or early market progress, and what comes next.
Explain AI’s role in your project and the value it creates.
Define your users, specific use case and real-world need.
Describe your progress, development plan and support needs. Include existing outcomes if available.
Still building? Start with your project and development plan. A prototype or working outcome is not required at application. Finalists develop and present their outcomes in Lingang according to committee arrangements.
Apply by 20 November 2026. No account needed to start your application.
Apply nowIntroduce your team, project and use case.
Download your completed application PDF. Sign it and share it with the declarations in one folder.
Committee review, expert assessment and advancement.
Present and discuss your working outcomes in person.
Advancement arrangements and shortlist size are determined by the committee. Lingang event dates and participation details will be communicated separately.
Application form & materials checklistYes. Makers, startups, SMEs and international teams can submit their own innovations. You do not need to wait for an industry brief.
Initial registration is online; no travel is needed to apply. Advancement and finals are planned in person in Lingang, Shanghai. The committee will contact selected teams to confirm arrangements. Share travel or prototyping support needs in the application.
Fill in the application once and download the generated PDF. Prepare the checklist documents and provide one shared-folder link. Save your reference and private link to return later. Prototypes and working demos are not required at application. Email the complete materials as required by the official guide.
Recognition for ideas you bring to life. Incubation opportunities extend beyond award winners.
✦Every finalist project receives an Excellence Award from the committee.
Share industry needs or recommend ventures. Investors, accelerators and technology partners are welcome to explore collaboration.
We are collecting corporate innovation needs. Share the problems you want to solve and explore venture matching, product pilots and commercial collaboration.
Share an innovation needShare tools, devices and technical resources that help creators test ideas.
Discuss shared resourcesRecommend ventures or portfolio teams. Explore investment interests, industry connections and establishment in Shanghai Lingang. External introductions use project information only with the team’s agreement.
Recommend a venture / partnerLIN·STARX AI Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition Committee
DELIVERED BYShanghai Industrial Culture Development Foundation
Lingang Special Area · LIN·STARX OPC International Community
