As part of the activities of the Zhongguancun Enterprise Service Representative Office in Naples – Italian Office of the Zhongguancun District of Beijing managed by SPICI – applications are now open to promote Italian participation by startups and innovative SMEs in the Beijing HICOOL Global Entrepreneurship Competition & Summit 2026, an international initiative dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship promoted by the city of Beijing.

The HICOOL Programme

Launched in 2020, the HICOOL Programme – consisting of the Global Entrepreneurs Summit and the Global Entrepreneurship Competition – is one of the city of Beijing’s leading programmes on innovation and startups, with the aim of fostering international cooperation and accelerating innovative businesses in the Chinese market.

Each year, the Programme brings together innovators, investors, startups and experts from around the world, and includes a rich calendar of activities, including thematic sessions, networking and matchmaking events, and pitch sessions.

From 2020 to today, the Programme has involved more than 34,000 startups and innovative SMEs from 167 countries, facilitating their soft landing and entry into the Chinese market.

Target participants and innovation areas

HICOOL is aimed at the best Italian startups active in the main high-tech fields, including:

• Integrated Circuits and Quantum Information

• Artificial Intelligence

• Robotics

• ICT and IT technologies (5G, 6G, IoT, Smart Cities, Blockchain, etc.)

• Smart Health and Life Sciences

• Biotechnologies

• High-end instruments

• New materials

• NEV

• Aerospace

• Agritech & Foodtech

• Advanced software solutions

• Cultural and creative industries

Opportunities for businesses

The programme offers participants access to:

• In-person participation in the HICOOL Global Entrepreneurs Summit & Entrepreneurship Competition in the event of reaching the finals (August–September 2026)

• Prizes of up to €250,000 for winning businesses

• Networking events and B2B and B2G matchmaking meetings with institutions, companies, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs and investors

• Visits to public and private operators in Beijing’s innovation ecosystem

• Facilitated access to acceleration and soft-landing programmes in the Chinese market

• Support for establishment in Beijing, including dedicated incentives and services

For businesses admitted to the Final, travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.

Timeline

Participation in the programme will be structured as follows:

• Expression of interest by 14 April 2026

• Online regional matches (May–June 2026)

• Online semi-finals (July 2026)

• In-person finals during the Summit (early August 2026)

• Awards ceremony (September 2026, reserved for winners)

Application procedure

Participation is free of charge.

Applications must be submitted via Google Form by 14 April 2026, available at the following link.

Afterwards, it is necessary to send an email to startup@spici.eu, attaching:

• Copy of passport

• Pitch deck in English

Email subject:
“Beijing HICOOL 2026, Company Name, Expression of Interest”

Applications will be assessed by the programme organisers. The outcome will be communicated by April 2026.