2024 global pitch competition ends with no clear winner in Shenzhen
- The grand final of the competition took place on December 5, 2024, in Shenzhen, China, after attracting 506 startup projects from around the world.
- Ten finalists represented various fields, including AI, new materials, and biotechnology, showcasing their innovative solutions to a jury of experts.
- The event highlighted international cooperation and set the stage for the 2025 competition, focusing on early-stage technology developments.
On December 5, 2024, the 2024 PHBS-CJBS Global Pitch Competition reached its grand final in Shenzhen, China, marking the culmination of months of preparation and innovation from startups around the globe. The competition, which began in January 2024, saw an impressive entry of 506 startup projects vying for a chance to showcase their pioneering technologies. Following a rigorous selection process that included preliminary roadshows, 36 startups advanced to the semifinals. The top ten startups, selected for their innovative ideas in diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and new materials, pitched their concepts to a distinguished panel comprising scholars, investors, and entrepreneurs. This platform provided an opportunity for the finalists to present their disruptive technologies and potential solutions to pressing global challenges. In addition to the competition, the event featured the PHBS-CJBS Bay Area Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Forum, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship and venture capital in driving economic growth and innovation. During the forum, representatives from PHBS announced a strategic partnership with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). This alliance aims to strengthen international collaboration and cultivate a vibrant innovation ecosystem within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, fostering opportunities for startups and established businesses alike. The forum included two important roundtable discussions. The first discussion, titled "Vision for the Future: Business Breakthroughs and Transformations in the New Era," addressed themes surrounding the intersection of industry and artificial intelligence, as well as innovation and transformation in the business landscape. The second roundtable, "Enterprise Innovation Development and Venture Capital Trends," focused on current investment trends, decision-making strategies, and methods to enhance productivity through innovative practices. These discussions served as a knowledge-sharing platform for entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting the critical role of venture capital in nurturing startup growth and innovation. With the grand final concluding and the announcement of the next competition in 2025, the event underscored the significance of fostering early-stage technology teams and connecting them to Shenzhen's rapidly expanding "20+8" industrial clusters. The future of the startups involved appears promising, with opportunities for continued development and success in the innovation landscape of China and beyond.