Entries sought for innovation competition

The Shanghai leg of a national “China Innovation Wing” competition was launched in the city on Friday.

Until June 15, innovators and business starters from the age of 16 can log on to www.hainabaichuang.com to register for the event organized by the Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and other government departments.

The event has two sections – one for innovation programs and the other for startup programs. The first section only accepts programs without officially registered businesses or with businesses registered within a year. The second section accepts applications from companies or organizations registered more than one year ago but within five years.

Selection will start from district level and winners will enter the city-level primary session in August to vie for tickets for the final. The city-level winners will represent Shanghai to compete in the national final in October.

Winners of the Shanghai session will get up to 100,000 yuan (US$14,000) to support further development of their programs. National winners will receive up to 200,000 yuan.

All participants will get support packages, including subsidies for social security fees, office rent and training, loans at favorable interest rates and guidance by experts, from the bureau and its district branches.

The “China Innovation Wing” competition was initiated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in 2015. Since 2016, it has been held every two years.