¥5,000,000
Grand Prize · highest award tier
The 14th Edition · ASEAN
ITEC ASEAN2026 (Thailand)
第十四届朝阳国际人才创业大会（东盟-泰国）
A world-class startup competition stage — open to everyone, from idea-stage innovators to startups with a live product. Compete in the ASEAN Final in Bangkok for a place at the Beijing ITEC Summit and a route into China's innovation ecosystem. This year also introduces the new ASEAN (Thailand) Special Track — open to startups across ASEAN.
Registration period
15 August – 18 September 2026
Host city
Bangkok, Thailand
Final
Chaoyang, Beijing
Applications close in
Deadline: 18 September 2026, 23:59 (Bangkok time)
86
Award places across six tiers
¥48B
Investment leverage generated
14th
Edition since 2013
80,000+
Entrepreneurs over 12 years
141
Countries and regions · 2025
5,215
Projects attracted · 2025
1,300+
Projects landed in Chaoyang
1st
ASEAN edition · Bangkok
Special track · ASEAN (Thailand)
ASEAN (Thailand) Special Track
ความร่วมมือไทย–จีน · การประชุมผู้ประกอบการและบุคลากรนานาชาติเฉาหยาง ครั้งที่ 14 (อาเซียน–ประเทศไทย)
ASEAN (Thailand) Special Track
Building on over 50 years of Thailand–China diplomatic relations, the ASEAN (Thailand) Special Track strengthens cooperation through innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, investment, and talent exchange. Open to startups across ASEAN, the track provides a gateway to explore the Thailand and China startup ecosystems, connect with partners and investors, and discover opportunities for collaboration and market expansion.
Newsroom
Latest news & articles.
Announcements, updates and coverage from ITEC ASEAN 2026 (Thailand) — follow along as the competition builds towards the Bangkok final.
26 August 2026
ITEC 2026 Comes to ASEAN for the First Time
ITEC ASEAN 2026 launches in Thailand, connecting ASEAN startups with China's innovation ecosystem, investors, industry partners, and cross-border opportunities. ASEAN Finalists will also have the opportunity to showcase their innovations at Bangkok Climate Action Week.
Read on LinkedIn
27 August 2026
Chaoyang's 15 Measures: A Complete Breakdown for International Founders
A complete breakdown of Chaoyang District's "15 Measures" policy for foreign founders — from free temporary housing and startup office space at Qibu and Qifei, to R&D and computing power subsidies, financing support, and Phoenix Plan benefits for high-level talent. Includes eligibility criteria and how ITEC helps international entrepreneurs navigate the ecosystem.
Read on LinkedInApplication Portal
Your first step to ITEC 2026 ASEAN (Thailand).
The earlier you apply, the more time you have to prepare. Get access to mentoring and get competition-ready — review begins as soon as applications open.
Applications open
Closes 18 September 2026
01 · Application form
Submit your project
Fill in your company, technology, traction and team details for the initial review stage, and attach your website or relevant product information.
Start applying02 · Competition information
Get ready before you apply
Learn about the sectors, eligibility criteria, competition process, awards and all the key details before you submit your application.
What you receive
More than prize money.
Award-winning projects receive Chaoyang District's special privileges — office space, funding, policy and settle-in services, not just prize money.
01 · Awards
Prize funding
- Six award tiers from Grand Prize to Outstanding Innovation Award
- Third Prize and above paid across two years
- Additional incentive available for strong projects
02 · Policy
Policy support
- Access to Chaoyang District's Talent support measures
- Technology transfer support
03 · Space
Space services
- Registration address support in Chaoyang
- Shared labs, R&D platforms and roadshow space
04 · Capital
Investor access
- Matchmaking with the Chaoyang Sci-Tech Fund and partners
- Introductions to an international VC investor network
- Regular salons, forums and incubation programmes
05 · Landing
Settle-in services
- Support for IP registration
- Help adapting your brand to the local market
- Housing and living support in China
06 · Mentoring
Coaching before you pitch
- Intensive coaching before the Final Round
- Mentors from China and Thailand advise shortlisted teams
- Pitch preparation ahead of the Bangkok final
Sectors
Which field does your technology belong to?
Robotics and Intelligent Systems
Core components, system integration, humanoid and mobile robotics.
Aerospace, Transportation and Logistics
Commercial aerospace, aviation systems, avionics, transportation and logistics innovation.
Digital Technology and Big Data
Enterprise data platforms, urban data governance, AI infrastructure and core digital technologies.
Health Technology and Elderly Care
AI diagnosis, digital therapeutics, assistive technology and smart eldercare.
Sustainability and Social Innovation
Green technology, carbon reduction, social impact ventures and community-focused innovation.
Competition awards
Grand Prize
¥5,000,000
1 winner
First Prize
5 winners
¥2,000,000
Second Prize
10 winners
¥1,500,000
Third Prize
15 winners
¥1,000,000
Rising Star Award
20 winners
¥300,000
Outstanding Innovation Award
35 winners
¥100,000
Third Prize and above: 40% paid in year one and 60% in year two, based on local development.
Strong projects may earn an additional 10% incentive.
Rising Star and Outstanding Innovation Award winners are paid as a lump sum.
Final award counts may adjust to participant quality; the highest-level, no-duplication principle applies.
Chaoyang District
Gateway to China's Silicon Valley.
¥923B
2024 district GDP · up 5% year on year
3.44M
Residents across 470.8 km²
~100%
Of foreign embassies are based here
150+
Multinational regional HQs · over 70% of Beijing's total
1 / 3
Of Beijing's unicorn companies are based in Chaoyang
220+
New foreign-invested enterprises in five months of 2025 · up 25.7%
Source: Beijing Chaoyang District Government; Beijing Investment Promotion Service Center · 2024–2025 data.
Explore ChaoyangEntry requirements
Who can enter.
Read these before applying. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the organizing team.
Applicant
- Headquartered in, or holding nationality from, ASEAN
- From idea stage to a live, ready-to-use product
- Operating in one of the sectors listed above
Your project
- Technology, products and patents belong to the applicant, with no ownership disputes
- Has not previously received an ITEC Award
- Able to communicate in English or Chinese
How projects are judged
Six criteria, judged by committee.
The panel includes experts in technology, industry and investment, scoring every entry fairly and transparently.
Experts from technology, industry and investment.
No single judge decides the outcome alone.
01
Market prospects
Clear customer need and a realistic route to scale.
02
Team capability
Founder commitment, relevant expertise and operational experience.
03
Technological innovation
Originality and how central the technology is to solving the problem.
04
Business model
A coherent model for creating social value and sustainable growth.
05
Investment value
Track record, financing readiness, risk and ROI.
06
Industry fit
Alignment with your chosen industry field and the ability to create value in Chaoyang.
Judges
Driving the ITEC 2026 ASEAN (Thailand) stage.
Leading experts from across ASEAN join the panel, judging and offering perspectives across technology, investment, industry and innovation.
Panel 01
Technology
Panel 02
Investment
Panel 03
Industry
Panel 04
Innovation
Competition roadmap
Bangkok to Beijing.
01
August
Launch & promotion
Open
02
August – September
Initial screening
Online application review to shortlist entrants.
50 projects
03
Late September
Semi-final
20 projects
04
Early October
ITEC ASEAN Final · Bangkok
10 projects
05
Late October
ITEC Global Final · Beijing
Global Final
Partnership & contact
Talk to the ITEC 2026 ASEAN (Thailand) team.
For organizations, investors, experts and partners interested in sponsoring, co-organizing, networking, or asking about the competition.
Partner with ITEC 2026 ASEAN (Thailand).
Connect with a network of startups, investors, government, universities and innovation partners from ASEAN and China — and build new collaborations and opportunities together.
Email
info@itecasean.com
Ecosystem
Partners and investors.
ITEC is your gateway to the innovation network — connecting leading institutions, innovation parks and funding sources across ASEAN.
Investment Partners
Not ranked in a particular order
Partners
Not ranked in a particular order
