Overseas and local entrepreneurs often ask our mentors at
Le Wagon Shanghai what are the existing programs to turn their idea into a startup, or to improve their odds of success in mainland China .
Luckily, Shanghai, as a rising global business hub with thriving startup scene, is home to many great entrepreneurial communities. In this article, we curate some of the best Shanghai-based programs for the creative and adventurous minds like you.
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The List in a Snapshot
- Chinaccelerator
- XNode
- Startup Leadership Program
- iGenesiis
- The Concept Lab
- Jade Value incubator
- FinTech connector
- Bayer Grants4Apps Incubator
- Entrepreneurs Organization
- Le Wagon
1. ChinAccelerator
“We help leading global internet startups to enter China and help local Chinese startups expand to global markets.“
Highlights:
3+3 Months Program for Startups
- The first 3 months are residential and culminate in demo day. Startups are required to relocate to Shanghai. The second 3 months are flexible. Companies can choose to stay at our office where we will continue to provide fundraising support and next steps.
- CA’s partner fund SOSV takes 6% common equity. With $120,000 investment, $40,000 is attributed to the cost of the accelerator. The remaining $80,000 is cash investment.
- Startups get 1:1 support from CA’s 290+ mentor network. In addition, they get to leverage the expertise from 6 Experts in Residence, as well as connections to vast corporate partners.
Target Group:
- Leading global internet startups seeking to enter China
- Local Chinese startups aiming to expand to global markets
Application Process & Program Details:
2. XNode
“We help startups & entrepreneurs create the future.“
Highlights:
Scaleup Acceleration Program
- 0% equity Scaleup Acceleration Program, innovative investment model for fast-growing companies
- Designed to help mid-late stage technology companies grow their businesses to China.
- The space has networks of overseas and Chinese entrepreneurs, as well as workshops and incubation resources.
Target Group:
- Companies that have traction in their home market. This can mean different things, but it’s typically a strong demonstration of product-market fit and/or some institutional funding for their expansion into new markets.
- Companies that are serious about launching their product or service into the Chinese market.
- The program is NOT looking for businesses that are only looking to source/manufacture in China. To be clear, not averse to having companies that need to source/manufacture in China as part of their model, but the program is built around helping set up business operations here for the long term so there should be a China angle to the business.
- Applicants need to be able to commit to being in Shanghai for a 3-month program.
Application Process & Program Details:
3. Startup Leadership Program
“A community of entrepreneurs and innovators committed to changing the world.“
Highlights:
- Highly selective, global, world-class training program and lifelong network of people who want to be startup CEOs
- Classes are held on evenings or weekends. The program takes no equity in startups.
- You can start in one city, but attend any class in any city worldwide.
- SLP Fellows (participants) have founded more than 1,300 successful startups, collectively raised more than $500M in funding.
Target Group:
People who either founded or run a startup, or are innovators or idea generators who would like to turn an idea into a company, or are VC who want to be closer to entrepreneurs.
Application Process & Program Details:
4. iGenesiis
“The community way to ignite your startup in 15 weeks.“
Highlights:
- Turn an innovative idea into a startup in around 200 hours over 15 weeks.
- Night classes guided by mentors, practical startup tools, networking activities + weekly homework and group-work to build up startup gradually.
- Improve and transform yourself into an effective startup founder, and integrate into the community & shared equity pool.
Target Group:
- People with innovative ideas who want to ignite their business leveraging the power of innopreneur community.
- People at the beginning, before the accelerator and incubator stages, of their startup.
Application Process & Program Details:
5. Concept Lab
“An education-based, revenue-driven training program supporting sustainable and diverse businesses.“
Highlights:
- Series of workshop on WeChat. Every two weeks there will be a new topic.
- Define your own success and choose the topics…
- Stabilize and grow your business
- Learn and apply the most relevant, actionable tools
- Learn from experienced entrepreneurs and attend entrepreneur events
Target Group:
Entrepreneurs, founders of small Shanghai-based businesses
Application Process & Program Details:
6. Jade Value incubator
“JadeValue provides promising Fintech startups with the Capital, Network and Advisory they need to reach the next level.“
Highlights:
- Located in Lujiazui, with a stunning view over the Huangpu River, this large space is an innovation, learning and idea exchange platform, where startups, investors, and the global FinTech network can interact.
- Focus is on the future of inclusive Financial services in China: InsurTech, Blockchain, WealthTech, PropTech, Alternative Lending
Target Group:
Fintech startup in the above mentioned five areas.
Application Process:
7. FinTech connector
“The first exclusive online membership community that connects local fintech entrepreneurs and start-ups (Innovators) with global professionals, thought leaders, and investors (Enablers).“
Highlights:
- Innovate financial services with cutting-edge technology that will benefit people around the world.
- Connect local communities with a global network of Enablers and Innovators through virtual events and targeted forums.
- Fintech events worldwide include Social Networking, Pitch Presentation Night, Fireside Chats with Thought Leaders, Technology Demo Day, and Investor Workshops
- Link communities from New York to Sao Paulo and Nairobi to Shanghai.
Target Group:
Enablers
- Experienced professionals in finance, business development, consulting, or technology
- Have extensive professional networks
- Experienced investors or have access to investor networks
Innovators
- Are entrepreneurs with a vetted fintech business or innovation idea, an Investor Pitch Deck AND Explainer Video, or a Proof of Concept / Minimum Viable Product
- Are MIT/GetSmarter alumni with a viable Capstone Project and an established team of innovators
- Own a Pre-Series A fintech startup
Application Process & Program Details:
8. Bayer Grants4Apps Incubator
“Grants4Apps is Bayer’s accelerator program, organized around the concept of Digital Health.“
Highlights:
- Mentoring & Coaching: Coaching and mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs & Bayer Senior Managers
- 88-day program in Bayer Shanghai office: Creative co-working space located at the heart of Shanghai’s CBD
- Networking: Networking with China startup communities, digital health startup communities as well as Meetups and roadshows
- RMB 30,000 as financial support
Target Group:
Seed round funding digital health startups with a powerful vision and great teams that already have a prototype that they’ve tested with potential customers, but are still pre-revenue.
There should be significant scaling opportunities and a focus on digital health, either via a business model, an app or a device.
Application Process & Program Details:
9. Le Wagon
“Le Wagons brings technical skills to entrepreneurs and creative people.“
Highlights:
- Help entrepreneurs harness full-stack development skills in 9 weeks
- Product-driven curriculum, combining code and business.
- Seasoned teaching crew with rich entrepreneurial and tech experience.
- International, project-based learning environment
- A global tech community with 2500+ graduates in 29 cities.
Target Group:
- Entrepreneurs, designers, and students who want to learn how to code, work in tech, freelance or launch a tech startup.
- Wicked-smart individuals at beginner level who are dedicated and have great team spirit.
Application Process & Program Details:
