The ideas are not restricted by field limitations, and any idea can be submitted. After submission, the ideas will be classified into the following three tracks for review.
Track One: Green and Intelligent Technology
- Sustainable Technology—including clean energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, etc.
- Smart Cities—covering smart infrastructure, smart transportation, energy efficiency, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics—Advanced AI, machine learning, and robotics technologies applied across various industries.
- Material Science and Innovation: Discovering and cultivating new material technologies and applications with innovation and market potential.
Track Two: Healthy Living and Cultural Technology
- Healthcare Technology Innovation—including telemedicine, wearable health devices, medical AI, etc.
- Education Technology Revolution—Online learning, adaptive learning technology, innovative educational management solutions.
- Food Technology—From sustainable agriculture to food delivery and healthy food solutions.
- Creative Culture—Combining creative thinking with technology to promote the digitization and interactivity of cultural content, the development of health education tools, and the design of intelligent products that enhance the quality of daily life.
Track Three: Finance and Business Innovation
- Financial Technology Innovators—including blockchain, peer-to-peer lending platforms, insurance technology, etc.
- E-commerce Innovation—AI-driven shopping experiences, virtual reality/augmented reality shopping, etc.
- Social Impact—Projects that not only pursue economic benefits but also focus on positive social impact.
- Future of Work—Developing tools and platforms for remote work, team collaboration, productivity enhancement, and work-life balance.
May 11th-October 15th: Registration Phase
- Download the registration form and PPT template (see First Round Registration Guidelines below)
- Submit a detailed registration form and PPT
October 16th-October 31st: First Round
- The review team conducts initial screening of registrants.
- Determine the list of contestants entering the next round (top 100).
- Notify the selected contestant teams to prepare for the next round of competition.
- The top 100 contestant teams can participate in the online training provided by XJTLU.
November 1st-November 30th: Second Round
- The finalist teams submit videos for the second round of competition (see Second Round Submission Guidelines below).
- The review team conducts the second round of evaluation and screening.
- Announce the list of contestant teams entering the finals (top 60).
- The top 60 finalist teams will receive feedback from the judges and have the opportunity for face-to-face communication with investors.
December 1st-December 15th: Final Round
- The contestant teams present their final PPT (see Final Round Submission Guidelines below).
- The review team conducts the final evaluation and determines the winners.
- Announce the competition results and hold an award ceremony.
Cash Prize
Prize |
Qty |
Unit (After Tax) |
Total (After Tax) |
1st Prize | 3 | RMB20,000元(USD2,766) | RMB60,000元(USD8,298) |
2nd Prize | 9 | RMB10,000元(USD1,383) | RMB90,000元(USD12,447) |
3rd Prize | 18 | RMB5,000元(USD692) | RMB90,000元(USD12,447) |
Excellence Prize | 30 | RMB1,000元(USD138) | RMB30,000元(USD4,149) |
Additional Rewards
- Opportunity to participate in a 1-on-1 technopreneur mentorship.
- Opportunity to apply for a Master’s scholarship in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
- Opportunity to join the X3 Co-venture, summer school, and investment and financing exchange meetings.
- More surprise gifts.
PDP Hour (for XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) students only)
Students’ successful completion of this component to 100 hours could result in the proper certificate issued by the Competition Organisation Committee. Students could upload the certificates onto e-bridge for evaluation by the Academic Advisor and the proper record of this achievement.
Stage 1 (30 hours):
- Successfully submit full-package registration materials and be qualified for the preliminary round of the competition.
- Participation in at least one competition-related activity/event is required: Q&A Session, Seminar and workshops (May-September).
Stage 2 (30 hours):
- The semifinal round is achieved.
- Finish the study of two workshops/training (videos) and successfully pass the quizzes: Visualization Training and Business Pitch Deck Workshop, successfully passed the test (September-October).
- Fulfill all Stage 1 requirements.
Stage 3 (40 hours):
- Successfully advance to the final round of the competition.
- Fulfill all Stage 2 requirements.
- Participate in an exchange with investors.
If the students do not successfully make it to the final round, they can choose to merge the time they have fulfilled in Dream Chasers Competition activities with the time accrued from the X3 Co-Venture or Innovation Factory activities for the overall calculation
1. Submission Requirement
- Each team should consist of 2 to 6 members, with each member participating in only one team. Each team can submit only one project idea and has only one submission opportunity.
- The submitted file name should be named as “Project Title + School Name”. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification from the competition.
- PPT submit requirements: Please scan the QR code below to download the PPT template for competition registration. No animation effects or video playback should be used in the PPT. The submitted PPT must be limited to 5 pages. Failure to adhere to this limit or violate the aforementioned requirements will be considered a violation and will result in disqualification.
2. Judging Criteria
The judges will evaluate submissions based on four key dimensions:
- Quality of Idea: Is the project idea unique, innovative, and potentially disruptive? Does it address an existing problem or fill a market gap?
- Market Potential: Is there a significant demand for the product/service? Is the target market large enough and potentially profitable?
- Business Model Viability: Is the proposed business model reasonable and sustainable? How does the project plan to generate revenue and achieve profitability?
- Progress to Date: Even at an early stage, has the project demonstrated some tangible progress, such as an initial prototype, user testing, or market research?
3. Second Round Selection
The top 100 teams will advance to the second round.
4. Submission Deadline
PPT submissions must be completed by 23:59 on October 15.
5. Submission Method
Please scan the QR code below to download the registration form and submit the registration materials.
1. Submission Requirement
Each participating team is required to submit a video that closely relates to the competition theme and your project. The video should adhere to the following specifications:
– Format: MP4
– Duration: No longer than 5 minutes
– File Size: Less than 500MB
– File Naming: Please name the file using the format “Project Title + School Name.” If team members are from multiple institutions, kindly indicate all relevant university names.
-Language Requirement: We accept video submissions in either English or Chinese; however, we encourage you to submit videos in English.
Please note that there are no restrictions on the style of your video submission. Whether you choose a creative or formal approach, the primary requirement is that it effectively addresses the four key dimensions mentioned below. We also encourage members of the participating teams to appear in front of the camera.
2. Evaluation Criteria
The judging panel will assess submissions based on four key dimensions:
- Scalability: Does the project have the potential to expand in terms of production and market outreach?
- Competitive Advantage: Does the project possess distinct competitive advantages, such as proprietary technology, strong partnerships, intellectual property, or a unique business model?
- Financial Forecast: Are the financial projections for the project realistic and based on well-researched assumptions?
- Investment Potential: Is there a viable exit strategy for potential investors?
3. Final Round Selection
The top 60 teams will progress to the final round, where they will receive feedback from the judges, be awarded prizes, and have the opportunity for face-to-face communication with potential investors.
4. Submission Deadline
Video submissions must be completed by 23:59 on 20 November.
5. Submission Method
Please submit your videos via the following link: /xjtlu/smu_box/u/d/4f43eb6f48e54c2eb2ca/
1.Submission Materials
Each participating team is required to submit two documents: a PowerPoint (PPT) and an A1 Poster.
**Specifications:
The submitted files must be named in the format “Project Title + University Name”.
By submitting, you agree that your work may be used for future promotional displays and events.
PPT Requirements:
On 15 December 2024, each team will present their PPT in front of the judges, delivering a 5-minute presentation to introduce their entrepreneurial project, followed by 5 minutes to answer questions from the judges.
- PPT Slide Dimension: 16:9. Any PPT template is acceptable.
- PPT Display Language: English or bilingual (Chinese and English)
- Presentation Language: English or Chinese.
- No animation effects or video playback may be included in the PPT.
- The PPT must be limited to a maximum of 5 pages.
- File Size: Maximum 10MB.
Any submissions exceeding these limits or violating the stated requirements will be considered a breach of rules, resulting in disqualification.
A1 Poster Requirements
Each participant is required to prepare an A1-sized poster, which will be shared with the judges in advance to ensure they have a thorough understanding of your project prior to the presentation. Therefore, your poster should provide a comprehensive overview of your entrepreneurial idea or concept.
Meanwhile, the posters will be printed and displayed near the venue on the day of the finals. This will foster interaction among industry professionals, academics, and students.
- Template: There is no restriction on the content or layout of the Poster. You are encouraged to exercise your creativity to fully showcase your project.
- Size: A1
- File Format: PDF
- File Size: Minimum 3MB, Maximum 100MB
2.Evaluation Criteria
The judges will evaluate your performance on the day of the finals based on the following dimensions:
- Entrepreneurial Team: Focus on diversity in team composition, clarity of member roles, and demonstration of collaborative capabilities.
- Technology Integration: Explain how your business idea leverages innovative technology. It is crucial to elucidate the technological aspect of your solution, emphasising its uniqueness and its role in solving the identified problem.
- Social Impact and Benefits: Highlight the measurable impact your business idea will have on society or the targeted community. Emphasise the positive outcomes and benefits your solution brings, whether it involves improving lives, creating jobs, or fostering social change.
- Current Pain Points and Future Plans: Precisely identify and analyse the core issues and challenges facing the project currently. Propose initial solutions or mitigation measures for these problems, demonstrating a problem-solving mindset. Present your implementation strategies and future plans. Include a roadmap outlining how you intend to execute the idea, incorporating milestones, partnerships, and any further development plans.
Projects classified into the same track will be assigned to the same venue, where 20 competing teams will compete for 1 first prize, 3 second prizes, 6 third prizes, and 10 excellence prizes based on their performance.
**Please note that the Poster will not be included in the evaluation.
3.Submission Deadline
PPT and Poster submissions must be completed by 23:59 on 11 December.
Please note that submissions cannot be altered once submitted.
4.Submission Method:
Please visit the following link to upload your PPT and Poster: /xjtlu/smu_box/u/d/f4116b275a8c4b01990e/
Host Organisations
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
National Innovation Center par Excellence (NICE)
Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI)
Co-Host Organisations
Entrepreneurship and ENterprise Hub, Entrepreneur College (Taicang)
Materials Academy, JITRI