The Fuxing Island Sci-Tech Innovation Incubation Conference

On the afternoon of November 18, the Fuxing Island Science and Technology Innovation Incubation Conference was grandly held at Chuantai PARK on Fuxing Island in Yangpu District, Shanghai. Over 300 distinguished guests from globally renowned incubators, nationally prominent research institutions, and leading investment organizations gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on the era's challenges in science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship, outlining a blueprint for the future.

Zheng Guanghong, Level II Bureau Rank Official of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, expressed hope that through a new round of planning and development, Fuxing Island would strive to become a citywide innovation hub and a new ecological landmark. The Municipal Science and Technology Commission will actively provide services to support and advance the construction of Fuxing Island's science and technology innovation cultural ecosystem. “Let more promising entrepreneurial seeds take root, sprout, grow, blossom, and bear fruit on Fuxing Island.”  

During the conference, Ni Bing, the Standing Member of the Yangpu District Party Committee and Executive Deputy of Yangpu District, joined representatives from leading innovation enterprises, science and technology investment institutions, and research institutions at the launch ceremony for the “Fuxing Island Innovation Incubation Hub.” Witnessed by global guests, Fuxing Island officially commenced its transformation from an “industrial island” to a “science and technology innovation island,” unveiling a stunning new world-class science and technology innovation incubation cluster.   

This conference marks a milestone in Yangpu District's advancement of the “Innovative Yangpu” initiative and represents a pivotal move in Shanghai's strategy to build a globally influential science and technology innovation hub. It signifies that the integration of urban transformation and renewal with an innovation ecosystem has entered a new phase.

The Fuxing Island Sci-Tech Innovation Incubation Conference drew over 300 representatives from government, industry, academia, research, application, and investment sectors to Fuxing Island. They shared cutting-edge insights on sci-tech innovation and entrepreneurship, pooling wisdom to chart a course for the island's leapfrog development.

During the keynote speech, Xi Wenqin, Director of the Shanghai Digital City Planning Research Center, presented“Holographic Perception, Ethereal Intelligence”—outlining a blueprint for deep integration between future cities and digital technologies, offering an inspiring vision for Fuxing Island's digital future. 

Malal Shashkenova, Founding Partner of Khan Tengri Innovation Hub, addressed “Innovation Without Borders: The New Silk Road Between China and Central Asia” expressing a vision to empower Central Asian entrepreneurs for scaling and innovation through reliable collaboration with China's tech ecosystem.  

Rosanne Varza, Direcotr of Station F, delivered a virtual keynote speech “Building Bridges in Innovation, Lessons from Station F and Opportunities with China's Rising Hubs” While sharing Station F's innovative practices, she expressed keen anticipation for Fuxing Island's innovative future.   

Xu Yerong, Vice President of Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment Co., Ltd., presented on “Focusing on Fund Management and Innovation Incubation and Be a Strategic Capital Provider”. He outlined the company's proactive exploration to become a strategic investor, resource mobilizer, industry track leader, and ecosystem builder.   

Han Wei, Chairman of TusStar Shanghai High-quality Incubator, shared insights on “Build Professional Capabilities and Provide High-quality Support to Enable the Growth of Innovative Enterprises”. She detailed the incubator's approach to helping startups establish solid foundations, translating technology into industrial applications, and becoming“the incubator that best understands technology commercialization”.        

During the Panel Discussion, Paul Andrecz, Honorary President of the European Business Angels Network (EBAN); Zhang Jianfeng, Special Assistant to the CEO of Plug and Play China; Oscar Ramos, Managing General Partner at Orbit Ventures, Venture Partner at SOSV; Lu Chengkuan, President of EGG China, Global Co-Director of EGG Incubator (UK); Martin Gott, Director of DC Hub, China Representative of Start2 Group, and Pablo Labadín, Executive Director of Xiji Incubator, engaged in a discussion centered on the theme “Innovation Without Borders, Building a Global Innovation Incubation Network”. The panelists shared insights on the critical importance of both international vision and deep local roots in cross-border investment. They agreed that Fuxing Island, built on “symbiosis” and ‘synergy’ to foster an “open, international ecosystem,” will undoubtedly create a “vibrant incubation network”.     

This conference offered attendees and professional audiences a valuable feast of ideas, fostering a diverse and dynamic“international innovation and entrepreneurship community”on Fuxing Island. It also provided rich intellectual grounding and international perspectives for building a high-quality incubation cluster on the island, covering dimensions such as spatial planning, scientific achievements, capital empowerment, and development pathways.