The final of the Foreigners Group of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents 2024·Hangzhou was held on Nov 5.
Yang Junkai
Huang Haibin
Jiang Ming (front row, third from left) and his team
By Li Zheng Chen Miaolin
The finals of the four professional group of the “Creating the World · Sailing to the Future” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents 2024 · Hangzhou concluded on November 5. Since its inception in 2015, this competition has become a global stage for innovators and entrepreneurs. Over the past nine years, it has attracted 12,000 projects from more than 30 countries and regions, including top contenders in the biopharmaceutical industry, a key component in Hangzhou’s industrial transformation and upgrading. Let’s take a look back at some participants from previous competitions to see how Hangzhou has become a paradise for entrepreneurs.
A Pioneer in Neuromodulation:
This is A “Paradise on Earth” and “Paradise for Entrepreneurship”
“Hangzhou is not only a highland for innovation and entrepreneurship but also a perfect place to live. In my spare time, I can climb mountains, enjoy the water, and recently, appreciate the osmanthus flowers--it truly is a paradise on earth!” says Huang Haibin, a scholar who has been deeply involved in the field of neuroscience for many years. He dreams of using technology to conquer depression and has found the soil to realize his dream in Hangzhou.
The city provides substantial subsidies to high-tech enterprises in Hangzhou, including entrepreneurial project funding for eligible winners of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents who settle their projects in Hangzhou. This is one of the reasons why he participated in the competition in 2023.
Subsequently, he founded RayBrainLink Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., focusing on the research of brain-computer interface neuromodulation for the treatment of depression. The innovative atmosphere and support for high-tech industries in Hangzhou have allowed his team to focus on scientific research and quickly transform research results into practical applications. Huang says that Hangzhou has not only given him a home but also a launchpad for his career to take off.
A Health Management Expert
for the Skies:
Craftsmanship Spirit Shines in Hangzhou’s Entrepreneurial Environment
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents attracts a wide range of participants, including outstanding talents from the aviation field. Yang Junkai, a former pilot, has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by aviation professionals.
In Hangzhou, he and his team have created the “Digital Health Management Platform for Aviation Personnel” to provide comprehensive health protection for pilots. When it comes to Hangzhou’s entrepreneurial environment, Yang Junkai often mentions its “craftsmanship spirit”.
“Our entrepreneurial roots are in Hangzhou, along the the beautiful Fuchun River,” he says. From participating in the competition to winning awards and then settling down, every stage and every step reflects this spirit of excellence and craftsmanship. Over the past two years in Hangzhou, Yang has witnessed the generational inheritance of the “craftsmanship spirit” from local Zhejiang merchants and peers.
“In Fuyang, Hangzhou, our work has been in a ‘flow state’,” Yang Junkai says. “‘Flow’ is a psychological term, but it perfectly captures the feeling of starting a business in Hangzhou. It means focusing fully on one task, both physically and mentally, with a sense of happiness and passion. In Hangzhou, our team is able to work in a natural, relaxed state, which allows us to be more focused, daring, and professional in achieving our goals.”
An Innovator in Cancer Treatment:
The Government of Hangzhou Emboldened Us to Continue Our Project
In last year’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents in Hangzhou, Jiang Ming and his team’s “Patient-derived Organoids Individualized Drug Sensitivity Testing and High--Throughput Drug Screening Platform Project” stood out and won second place in the “Revitalize the West” Special Competition (RWS).
He was once an associate researcher at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) and has a unique understanding of cancer treatment—cultivating patient-derived organoids for precision therapy. After returning to Hangzhou, he established his own laboratory and founded Hangzhou Nuoghui Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The biopharmaceutical industry ecosystem in Hangzhou has provided rich resources and a broad market for his research.
“The entrepreneurial atmosphere in Hangzhou is very good, and the support for entrepreneurs is fairly strong. The government of Lin’an district has also provided very generous subsidies, giving us the confidence to carry on with our project，” Jiang says. His patient-derived organoids project has not only made breakthroughs in the scientific research field but also brought new hope to patients clinically.
These entrepreneurs’ stories are just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting how Hangzhou, with its unique charm and support, is nurturing the stars of tomorrow.
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition for Overseas Talents in Hangzhou is not only a competition, but a window for the city to show its openness and inclusiveness to the world. As these stories demonstrate, Hangzhou provides a stage for entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and find a sense of belonging and a platform to soar. We eagerly look forward to witnessing the remarkable performances and innovative brilliance of this year’s contestants!