On the eve of the XIN Summit (powered by BEYOND), two major pre-summit programs — XIN Summit Media Day and the Entrepreneurs Next Star & Million Prize Global Challenge 2025 Awards Ceremony — set the stage for a landmark gathering of global deep-tech innovators. Held on November 14, these flagship events built strong early momentum for the Summit and delivered its first defining highlight: a celebration of world-class entrepreneurship and breakthrough innovation emerging from Shenzhen Nanshan.
Image: XIN Summit, powered by BEYOND, was held at Shenzhen Nansha from November 15-16, 2025
As one of China’s most influential innovation and entrepreneurship programs, the “Next Star” Global Challenge has become a signature platform rooted in Nanshan, connected nationwide, and radiating globally. This year, more than 2,600 projects participated across sectors including artificial intelligence, biomedicine, new materials, and advanced equipment manufacturing. After a rigorous global selection process, 56 standout teams advanced to the Global Finals, reaffirming Nanshan’s position as a global magnet for science and technology talent and a driver of future industry development.
When night fell, the atmosphere reached its peak with a dynamic Welcome Party and Awards Ceremony. While Media Day emphasized expert exchange and global communication, the evening program adopted an open, creative, and celebratory format — showcasing a fusion of technology, culture, and global innovation.
Highlights of the Awards Ceremony
The ceremony opened with an AI-driven fashion showcase that blended algorithmic creativity with artistic expression, demonstrating the increasingly porous boundaries between design, technology, and digital culture. The program continued with an unconventional twist as a stand-up comedian hosted the night, weaving light-hearted reflections on technology and entrepreneurship into an evening that balanced ceremony with humor and inspiration.
Throughout the event, outstanding startup teams from China and around the world took center stage. Finalists from Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific region, and across China were honored across multiple tracks, culminating in first, second, and third prizes in both the Team and Enterprise tracks. Their achievements reflect Shenzhen Nanshan’s evolution into a global destination for startup acceleration and commercialization, strengthening its reputation as a leading deep-tech hub.
Awards were presented by distinguished guests from fields such as advanced engineering, micro-reaction science, global professional networks, and venture investment. Their participation underscored the competition’s influence and its role in accelerating promising scientific and technological breakthroughs toward real-world application.
Image: AI Fashion Show by LookAI at XIN Summit Welcome Party
Fund at First Pitch: Innovation Happens in Real Time
A special highlight of the evening was the “Fund at First Pitch” rapid-fire pitching session. In this high-intensity segment, founders were challenged to articulate the core value of their technology within moments, receiving on-the-spot evaluations from a panel of experts spanning scientific research, investment, and global industry insights. The immediate, candid feedback mirrored the pace of real-world innovation and gave entrepreneurs an opportunity to refine their positioning in front of seasoned evaluators.
The session was supported by key investment partners, further reinforcing the competition’s mission to drive tangible outcomes for startups by connecting them with capital, mentorship, and industrial resources. Following the pitches, the evening transitioned into improvisational performances and open networking, where participants engaged in cross-disciplinary exchange — expanding conversations from technical roadmaps to creative expression, industry culture, and long-term collaboration.
Image: Fund-at-First-Pitch rapid-fire pitching session at XIN Summit Welcome Party
The two-day Summit will bring together global entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders for high-level forums, an innovation exhibition, and curated investment matchmaking programs. As a new sub-brand created by BEYOND Expo, the XIN Summit aims to redefine the landscape of deep-tech collaboration in China. Anchored in the industrial strength of the Greater Bay Area, the Summit serves as a gateway connecting Chinese innovation with global resources—accelerating breakthrough applications across intelligent systems, smart hardware, and next-generation technological infrastructure.
Additional information, including keynote speakers and the full agenda, can be found on the official website: www.xinsummit.com
