As part of the activities of Internationalisation and the Zhongguancun Enterprise Service Representative Office in Italy, the Italian Office of Beijing's Zhongguancun District, SPICI coordinates the Italian participation in the World Internet Conference (China, November 2026), one of the world's leading events on Digital Economy, Internet Economy and AI.

The World Internet Conference (WIC) – Wuzhen Summit (November 2026)

The World Internet Conference (WIC), promoted by Alibaba Group, Tencent and GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communication Association), was established to promote dialogue and international cooperation on Digital Economy, Internet Economy and AI.

The Summit brings together technology companies, universities, research centres, experts, innovators, governments and organisations from around the world, offering significant opportunities for visibility and networking, matchmaking and engagement with global industry players.

In previous editions, industry giants such as Microsoft, LinkedIn, PWC, Huawei, AMD, Tesla, IBM, China Telecom, Siemens, SAP, ZTE, ARM, Apple, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Intel, Nokia, Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu, and universities such as Tsinghua University, UCL – University College London, University of Leeds, National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, have taken part.

World Internet Conference (WIC) Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology

Within the Conference, the WIC Awards are open to companies and research groups that have developed hardware products and software solutions in the fields of Digital Economy, Internet Economy and AI.

Opportunities for the selected teams:

·        Participation in the World Internet Conference;

·        B2B-B2G matchmaking meetings;

·        Networking with companies, institutions, investors, industrial and scientific partners and other Chinese and international stakeholders;

·        Awards and global visibility for the most innovative solutions;

·        Showcasing your product at the Wuzhen Science and Technology Museum.

Target audience and innovation topics

The WIC Awards are open to Technology Companies and Research Groups that develop hardware products and software solutions in the following technologies:

·        Artificial Intelligence

·        5G, 6G and new network architectures

·        Quantum Computing and quantum technologies

·        Industrial Internet

·        Big Data

·        Cybersecurity and Network Security

·        Chips, processors and semiconductors

·        Digital Twin

·        Smart Cities

·        Blockchain

·        VR/AR and immersive technologies

·        Supercomputing

·        Satellite Internet

·        Green Energy applied to digital technologies

·        Operating systems and advanced software infrastructures

·        Digital solutions with high economic, social or industrial impact

Participation timeline

Participation in the World Internet Conference will proceed as follows:

·        Call for Application: applications open

·        Closing date for the Call for Application: 9 June 2026

·        Authoritative Review: July – August 2026

·        Communication of results: September 2026

·        Official presentation of the winning projects: World Internet Conference - Wuzhen Summit 2026  (November 2026, tbd)

Coverage of travel, meals and accommodation expenses

A contribution is provided towards the travel, meals and accommodation expenses of one representative per Company or Research Group.

Application process and deadlines

Participation is free of charge.

Applications must be submitted via Google Form by 9 June 2026 at the following link: https://forms.gle/W1sXzeMNf9CX2UEU6 

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

-            Copy of the passport;

-            Pitch deck in English.

Email subject: “World Internet Conference 2026, Company Name, Expression of Interest”

Applications will be assessed by the programme organisers. The outcome will be communicated by September 2026, as set out in the participation timeline.

FOCUS: Beijing, the Zhongguancun District and the Italian Office managed by SPICI

Beijing is one of the world's leading hubs for innovation, scientific research, the digital economy and technological development. With a GDP of nearly 700 billion dollars, the Chinese capital ranks among the country's top economies and represents a strategic market for companies, start-ups and research centres looking to develop technology partnerships, access to investors, industrial collaborations and soft-landing pathways in China.

At the heart of Beijing's innovation ecosystem is the Zhongguancun District, recognised as one of China's most important high-tech districts and often referred to as the ‘Chinese Silicon Valley’. The area is located close to some of the country's leading academic and scientific institutions, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Beijing Normal University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and has historically been linked to the emergence and growth of major Chinese and international technology players.

The District is home to some of the largest Chinese technology companies, including Baidu, Lenovo, Xiaomi, TikTok, Kingsoft,  as well as deep tech and AI companies such as DeepSeek, Moonshot AI,Horizon Robotics and Cambricon. The area also hosts Regional Hubs and Research and Development centres of numerous international players, including Microsoft, Google, Intel, AMD, IBM, Oracle, Sony, Apple, NVIDIA, TSMC, Samsung, Texas Instruments, HP, Dell, Red Hat, ARM, ASML and GlobalFoundries.

In this context, since 2025 SPICI has managed the Zhongguancun Enterprise Service Representative Office in Italy, the Italian Office of Zhongguancun District, which operates as an operational bridge between the Italian ecosystem and the city of Beijing. The Office facilitates scouting activities, guidance, applications to international programmes and awards, B2B/B2G matchmaking, soft landing and entry into the respective markets.

Participation in the World Internet Conference and the WIC Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology therefore forms part of a broader strategy for qualified access to the Chinese market, offering Italian technology companies and research groups a concrete channel to increase visibility, credibility, industrial relations and opportunities for collaboration in China.