Nanjing Global Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge Singapore Final Boosts Bilateral Innovation

Singapore, 23 May 2025 — The Singapore Division Final of the 2025 Nanjing Global Sci-Tech Innovation Challenge successfully concluded on May 23, strengthening technology collaboration between Nanjing and Singapore. The event united promising startups, researchers, and innovation stakeholders to foster mutual growth and industrial transformation.

Early Momentum and High-Caliber Projects

Launched in early April, the competition quickly attracted 53 cutting-edge startups in sectors like AI, biotech, green energy, climate tech, fintech, and advanced manufacturing. Many participating teams are led by postgraduate researchers and PhDs from top Singaporean institutions including NUS, NTU, and A*STAR, highlighting the depth of Singapore's startup ecosystem.
Expert Evaluation and Global Market Focus
A panel of four judges from venture capital, industry, deep-tech, and academia evaluated the finalists. Their diverse expertise ensured a comprehensive assessment and provided startups with valuable guidance on their China market strategies.
The participating startups demonstrated strong global vision and actionable plans. Several are already piloting solutions in Southeast Asia or the Middle East and expressed keen interest in establishing a Nanjing presence to collaborate with local partners.
Examples include:

• A climate-tech firm with Indonesian pilots seeking Chinese manufacturing partners.
• An AI biomedical platform exploring integration with Chinese clinical trial systems.
• Deep-tech startups in advanced materials, environmental solutions, and smart logistics aiming to co-develop products for China’s industrial needs.

Strengthening Nanjing–Singapore Innovation
The Challenge is a key platform for deepening Nanjing-Singapore scientific, technological, and commercial collaboration. It helps Nanjing attract global innovation while offering Singapore-based startups a clear pathway into the Chinese market.
“Singapore and Nanjing bring complementary strengths — Singapore excels in R&D, branding, and international expansion, while Nanjing is a leader in manufacturing, talent, and domestic market access,” said Dr. Wei Li, Co-founder of Transfong Ventures. “This collaboration model is built not just on intent, but on execution.”
Future Cross-Border Engagement

Selected Singaporean teams will advance to the Grand Final in Nanjing later this year, with opportunities for soft-landing support, joint incubation, and B2B matchmaking. This event marks another success in Nanjing’s global innovation strategy, positioning the city as a launchpad for international startups entering China and a key node in Asia-Pacific tech collaboration.

Photo 1: Industry Exchange and Cross-Sector Dialogue: Ecosystem stakeholders, founders, and invited guests engage in in-depth conversations during the networking segment of the Singapore Division Final — fostering meaningful connections across industry, academia, and investment.

Photo 2: Startup Pitch in Progress: A startup founder presents to the judging panel, highlighting innovative R&D capabilities and commercialization strategies relevant to the Chinese market.

Photo 3: Solution Showcase – HealthTech Sector: A finalist team introduces their health-tech innovation addressing global sleep disorders, one of several biomedical highlights during the competition.

Photo 4: Group Photo of Participants and Organizers: Group photo of startup founders, judges, and organizing committee at the conclusion of the Singapore Division Final, marking a successful step in Nanjing–Singapore innovation cooperation.