Notice on Hosting the 2025 "Maker in China" SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest
In order to continuously enhance the innovation capability and professional level of SMEs, actively build a bridge for industrial technology exchange between China and foreign countries, and promote the "going out" and "bringing in" of SMEs, the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will hold the 2025 "Maker in China" SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest (the “Contest”).
Ⅰ. Hosts
China Centre for Promotion of SME Development, MIIT
China International Cooperation Association of SMEs
Ⅱ. Objectives
The Contest connects global innovation resources with industrial demands, serving as a platform for technology and industrial collaboration. It aims to support SMEs in industrial transformation and upgrading, facilitate access to international innovative technologies and market, establish a platform for long-term integration of domestic and foreign innovation resources to assist local talent and intelligence recruitment.
Ⅲ. Contest Title
2025 "Maker in China" SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest (SMEIEGC)
Ⅳ. Eligibility
(1) Startup Enterprise Group
The participating enterprises must be legally registered and non listed companies, and the main project leader must be a non mainland Chinese;
The intellectual property rights of the participating projects belong to participating enterprises, with independent intellectual property rights and no property disputes;
The participating enterprises should be with standardized management, good social reputation, and no negative records;
The participating enterprises need to have innovative products, technologies, or business models, have high growth potential, intend to enter the Chinese market, or cooperate with Chinese companies in technology, talent, and other aspects.
(2) Innovation Team Group
Core team members must be non-mainland Chinese citizens or affiliated with overseas universities and research institutions;
The creative ideas, products, technologies, and related intellectual property rights of the participating projects belong to the core members of the team, with no intellectual property disputes with other units or individuals;
The participating teams need to have innovative products, technologies, or business models, have high growth potential, intend to enter the Chinese market, or cooperate with Chinese companies in technology, talent, and other aspects.
Ⅴ. Registration Process
Eligible participants may submit preliminary registration forms and supporting materials via email (see attached form and contact details). Institutions such as research institutes, technology transfer centers, think tanks, incubators, and industry associations may contact the hosts directly for registration assistance.
The Contest does not charge any fees to the participants. The same or similar project of the same enterprise or team cannot be repeatedly registered to participate in regional competitions, thematic competitions, and global competitions under the “Maker in China” frame. The national top 500 projects in the past three years are not allowed to participate, and enterprises or individuals listed as dishonest are not allowed to participate. Participants who plagiarize others' innovative achievements or use other improper means to obtain awards will have their eligibility for the competition canceled once discovered.
Ⅵ. Schedule
(1) Overseas Country/Region Chapters
Chapters of Hong Kong, Macau, ASEAN, Japan and South Korea, Central and Western Asia, and Europe will be held from June to November. After preliminary evaluation, 10 projects will be shortlisted for the finals of each Chapter.
(2) Final
The Final will be held in China in November, and the top three winning teams from each Chapter will be invited to participate on-site.
The projects will be graded and ranked through project roadshows, expert Q&A.
Ⅶ. Awards and Follow-up Services
Awards: Prize, trophies, and certificates will be set according to the arrangement of each Chapter and the Final.
Before the Contest, dedicated teams will assess project strengths and match collaboration needs with domestic industrial parks, incubators, leading enterprises, specialized and innovative SMEs, research institutions, investors, and technology brokers; During the Contest, matchmaking events, site visits, and business negotiation will be organized to assist overseas innovation project teams in connecting with domestic parks, enterprises, and investment institutions; After the Contest, follow-up support will be provided for projects with preliminary cooperation intent, leveraging local talent subsidies, scientific rewards, and policies to drive project implementation.
Ⅷ. Contact Information
Li Yining, International Cooperation and Research Department, China Centre for Promotion of SME Development, MIIT
Tel: +86-10-82292091
Email: smeiegc@163.com
Appendix:Pre-Registration Form.docx (Click here to download)
China Centre for Promotion of SME Development, MIIT
March 31, 2025