The event provided a valuable platform for effective connections between research and market demands. Several companies signed project cooperation agreements with renowned institutions such as Nanjing University of Technology, the Yangtze River Delta Physics Research Centre, and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. During the event, enterprise representatives showcased their projects, expressing investment intentions exceeding 10 million yuan (£1.08 million).
Recent Achievements of the Yangtze River Delta Innovation Platform
The Yangtze River Delta Innovation Challenge Season has become a crucial platform for solving industrial technology challenges. In recent years, this initiative has made significant strides in various fields, including new materials, biomedicine, and electronic information:
- Over 2,000 technical needs identified
- More than 3,300 companies served
- Over 1,000 technical solutions solicited from universities and research institutions
- Facilitated over 570 transactions worth more than 400 million yuan (£43.5 million)
- Successfully attracted over 100 high-quality external results for transformation, amounting to nearly 100 million yuan (£10.68 million)
The Nanjing Metropolitan Area: A Powerhouse in the Yangtze River Delta
The Nanjing Metropolitan Area, covering 66,000 square kilometres across Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, includes 10 cities and had a GDP of 5.1 trillion yuan (£551.5 billion) with a population of 35.8 million in 2023. It serves as a crucial conduit for the Yangtze River Delta's influence on central and western regions and is integral to the Yangtze River Economic Belt strategy, bridging northern and southern China as well as eastern and western areas. The region boasts strong resources in science and education, a solid primary industry base, and a comprehensive financial system, all while fostering an inclusive and innovative cultural atmosphere that blends influences from both northern and southern China. This unique combination of strategic location and diverse strengths positions the Nanjing Metropolitan Area as a significant driver of regional and national economic growth.
EFEC's Role and Vision
EFEC's China representatives actively participated in this event, gaining deeper insights into the actual needs of attendees. By sharing the world-renowned "Cambridge Phenomenon" and Cambridge Network, EFEC showcased a unique innovation ecosystem, demonstrating how Cambridge transformed from a small town into a global centre for technological innovation over the past 60 years through the close integration of academic research, entrepreneurial education, technology transfer, and capital support.
EFEC aims to enhance mutual understanding and trust between China and the UK, establish partnerships, and promote future cooperation. Looking ahead, EFEC will continue to leverage the ecological advantages of the Cambridge Network, focusing on connecting resources between China and the UK. The organisation is committed to actively serving the innovation needs of enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta region, supporting talent cultivation in universities and research institutions, and assisting with the implementation of overseas projects in China and the internationalisation of Chinese enterprises, thereby jointly enhancing global innovation influence.
Photo curtesy of Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Resources Coordination Service Centre
