The Bank of China Trophy UltiMater Entrepreneur Competition, organised by the University of Macau’s (UM) Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), is now open for applications, UM has announced.
Sponsored by Bank of China (Macau), the competition is open to current students enrolled at higher education institutions in Macau, as well as Macau residents studying at higher education institutions outside Macau.
The total prize pool is MOP 130,000. The top three teams and the winners of the Outstanding Prize will have the opportunity to be incubated at CIE and will have access to incubation services worth over MOP 150,000.
This year’s competition features 11 awards, comprising the Champion, Second Prize, Third Prize, and three Outstanding Prizes, as well as the BOC Best Innovation Award, Best Business Plan Award, Innovative Technology Award, Best Trade Show Award, and Best Elevator Pitch Award, designed to celebrate and encourage innovation.
The competition focuses on identifying potential technology and innovation projects in areas such as big data/artificial intelligence, robotics/smart manufacturing, new materials, fintech, biomedicine/healthcare, as well as low-carbon technology/sustainable development.
A judging committee will evaluate the feasibility and market potential of each team’s business plan, paving the way for their future entrepreneurial ambitions. The competition aims to promote the commercialisation of university research outcomes by fostering communication and collaboration between higher education institutions, industry, investors, government bodies, and non-governmental organisations. It also seeks to leverage business and market support to increase the rate of technology transfer, thereby cultivating a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and research.
CIE will provide a dedicated platform for channelling resources and organise a series of activities for participating teams, including information sessions, the UltiMater Camp, and networking events. Winning teams will also receive a range of incubation services, including office space, professional mentoring and advisory services, entrepreneurship courses, and visits to leading enterprises in the Chinese mainland.
In addition, CIE will recommend outstanding companies for the ‘Funding Scheme for Innovation and Research of Enterprises—Matching Projects’ launched by the SAR’s Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT), to further implement their business plans and establish industry-academia collaboration.
Students who are eligible and interested in joining the competition can apply until 7 May 2026 by filling out the online application form (in Chinese only): https://umac.questionpro.com.au/t/ARuH2ZSBNf. More details can be found via this link.
Source and Image: UM
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