Focus on 6th WCIFIT | 100+100! WCIFIT Releases Achievements List, Secures Over RMB2 Billion in Intended Deals

On the afternoon of May 23, at the far end of exhibition hall N2 in the Chongqing International Expo Center, a packed press conference and matchmaking session was under way.

Entrepreneurs took to the stage to introduce their teams and projects with passion, while representatives of science and technology enterprises, venture-capital firms, incubators and pilot-scale platforms filled the audience seats.

Titled "Convergence of Innovation Achievements, Joint Advancement of Industry," the release and matching of industrial innovation achievements was a key highlight of the sixth WCIFIT. Through the release of curated achievement lists, on-site roadshows and signing ceremonies, the session enabled domestic and international enterprises, universities, research institutes, investors, incubators and pilot-scale platforms to engage face-to-face, creating a bridge that seamlessly integrates scientific innovation with industrial innovation.

The release of the Lists of Industrial Innovation and Sci-Tech Innovation Achievements at the 6th WCIFIT, Chongqing International Expo Center, May 23, 2024. (Photograph courtesy of reporter Cui Li / Visual Chongqing)

Two catalogues of 100 achievements released

At the event, organisers unveiled two updated lists: 100 industrial innovation achievements with high commercialisation potential and 100 industry-ready innovations with strong market prospects.

Each seat held two booklets whose back covers carried QR codes. Scanning them opened a mobile page that presented both catalogues, covering fields such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles and next-generation electronic information manufacturing.

"The list of sci-tech innovation achievements gathers original results from universities and research institutes and serves as a resource pool for incubators. The list of industrial innovation achievements features post-incubation outputs; we then channel these to funds, investors or large enterprises for mergers, acquisitions or other routes to full commercialisation. The two lists will be updated annually and become a standing mechanism." explained by Tang Zhongwei, head of the preparatory Industry Innovation Division of the Chongqing Economic and Information Commission.

Pilot-scale test serves as a critical step in transitioning scientific research achievements from fundamental research to product commercialization. For pilot-scale test platforms, it requires substantial effort to establish connections with universities and research institutions, engage with numerous projects, and build mutual trust. "These government-curated lists spare us substantial effort and communication costs and reduce risk," said Sun Yuhui, head of Pilot-scale Test Department at Chongqing Institute of High-Tech Industry. Before the event ended, his team had already reached preliminary cooperation agreements on at least 5 projects.

Visitors tour the Innovation Achievements Exhibition Area at the 6th WCIFIT, Chongqing International Expo Center, May 23, 2024. (Photograph courtesy of reporter Cui Li / Visual Chongqing)

On-site showcase and promotion of selected projects

"This is our first appearance at WCIFIT. The fair has given our start-up a valuable platform to present its products," said Liu Hongyin, deputy general manager of Chongqing Fuel-Cell Technology Innovation & Industry Research Co., Ltd., after completing her roadshow.

The company's core team originates from Singapore's Temasek Polytechnic. Having operated in Chongqing for more than 3 years, it brought an ultra-lightweight, air-cooled hydrogen fuel-cell system tailored for aircraft. "Both the national and Chongqing governments are vigorously promoting the low-altitude economy, so prospects are bright," Liu noted. The product has completed pilot-scale trials and is scheduled for mass production next year; on site, the company signed a letter of intent with a private-equity fund.

Over three rounds of roadshows, 6 enterprises - including Shenzhen Zodxin Intelligent and Energy-saving Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Gaoye Energy, Shanghai Jiake Intelligent and Chongqing Fuel-Cell Technology Innovation & Industry Research Co. Ltd - unveiled their latest industrial innovations. Meanwhile, 6 universities - Harbin Engineering University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Chongqing University among them - showcased cutting-edge R&D projects. Three shared pilot platforms - Chongqing Institute of High-Tech Industry Pilot-Scale Test Base, Experimental Platform of International Academy of Optoelectronics at Zhaoqing, South China Normal University and Mingyue Lake Materials Testing Centre - demonstrated their capabilities in electronics R&D piloting, MEMS services and materials testing.

"The event is highly significant," said Zhang Chunyang, senior investment manager at Shanghai Fosun Capital Management Co., Ltd. "Although most university spin-offs are still early-stage for us, we will maintain close contact. When the timing is right, we will participate." Fosun Capital has deep cooperation with Chongqing, having already implemented projects in Liangjiang New Area and Jiangbei District. "Chongqing's automotive, chip and advanced-material sectors are strategic focuses for us."

103 cooperation intentions reached on site

SevnceRobotics' explosion-proof quadruped robot, Fengji Intelligent's intelligent electrical fire-prevention system, XIANGDIXIAN Computing Technology's "Tianjun-1" GPU, and Zisun Technology's aviation-grade sound/thermal insulation, vacuum-insulation panels and automotive air-conditioner filters…

Throughout the event, Hall N2 thoughtfully designated dedicated zones to facilitate project matchmaking activities between enterprise representatives and investment institutions, as well as between research organizations and domestic/regional industrial incubators. A product showcase area was also set up, featuring 13 landmark industrial innovation achievements spanning sectors including electronic information, new energy vehicles, advanced materials, intelligent manufacturing, new energy, and biomedicine.

Hosted by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology and the Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau, and co-organised by Chongqing Institute of High-Tech Industry Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Small & Medium Enterprises Development Service Centre, the session enabled high-potential SMEs, equity investment firms, university R&D teams' cutting-edge innovation projects, and local incubators to establish close collaborations, resulting in 103 cooperation intentions signed on-site with a total intended investment value of RMB2.53 billion yuan.

Next, Chongqing Economic and Information Commission will intensify matchmaking between scientific and industrial innovation outcomes. By refining the screening of scientific and technological achievements, systematically planning commercialisation pathways and continuously improving the full-stack industry-generation chain - from selection and piloting to product launch, enterprise formation and exit - the municipality aims to deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovation, accelerate the cultivation of new quality productive forces and build a modern industrial system anchored in advanced manufacturing.

Source: Chongqing Daily