EU|BIC ecosystem discovery mission to China 2026 

Quality-anchored access to one of the world’s leading innovation regions

The Yangtze River Delta (covering Shanghai and the Provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui) is one of the world’s most dynamic economic and technological clusters. It accounts for a very significant share of Chinese R&D, high-tech output and export intensity.

Situated in this delta, Ningbo is a rapidly advancing innovation and industrial powerhouse in China. It is a key port city with a deeply rooted manufacturing base. Ningbo is transforming into a high-quality innovation hub. Its economy is building on deep university-industry linkages and global cooperation platforms. Key sectors are:

• a strong digital economy
• advanced manufacturing
• smart technology
• biomedicine

Its innovation ecosystem is supported by robust development zones, intensifying talent attraction initiatives, and an increasingly open environment for international trade and research collaboration.

Our mission will cover multiple cities, including Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou. The EU|BIC Discovery Visit in Ningbo symbolises a strategic bridge between European and Chinese innovation landscapes, offering participants an unrivalled immersion into one of Asia’s most vibrant ecosystems.

Why Ningbo — and why is this host strategic?

China’s Yangtze River Delta generates around 24% of China’s GDP and over one-third of its total exports. In the delta, Ningbo stands out as a leading industrial and innovation hub at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, applied deep-tech, and global trade. Ningbo is home to the world’s largest port by cargo throughput, handling over 1.3 billion tonnes annually. It anchors dense value chains in smart manufacturing, new materials, green technologies, and digital industries.

The city combines strong university–industry collaboration, high R&D intensity (above the national average), and direct integration into global supply chains, making it a prime entry point into the Chinese market.

Hosted by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and its Li Dak Sum Incubator, the EU|BIC ecosystem discovery visit to Ningbo creates a trusted high-quality bridge between European innovation ecosystems and one of Asia’s most competitive industrial regions^.[1]

In 2025, Li Dak Sum Incubator became the first organisation in China to obtain the EU|BIC Certification – a historic milestone for the EU|BIC community and for the global recognition of the EU|BIC Quality Mark.

This means the visit will take place within an organisation that:

• Operates according to EU|BIC-verified standards of quality and impact
• Shares a common language of performance, governance, and service excellence with EU|BIC members
• Acts as a trusted bridge between European innovation ecosystems and the Chinese market

Choosing a certified EU|BIC outside Europe as a host ensures a credible, safe, and high-quality entry point into one of the world’s most complex innovation markets.

The programme

The programme will cover international travel to and from China and a portion of accommodation costs (up to three nights). Selected participants will be required to pay a participation fee, the details of which will be communicated during the selection phase.

China is a key global innovation and industrial hub. Ningbo offers access to:

• Advanced manufacturing and applied deep-tech ecosystems
• Strong university–industry collaboration
• Export-oriented corporates and global supply chains
• Rapid startup and scale-up pathways

This discovery visit is not a study tour. It is a strategic immersion, designed to generate ecosystem intelligence, peer learning, and concrete internationalisation opportunities.

Download a brochure about Ningbo

What the Ecosystem Discovery Visit offers

Over several days, participants will engage in:

Ecosystem Discovery

• Visits to innovation parks, incubators, research labs, and corporations
• Exposure to Chinese applied innovation and industrial transformation models

Peer Learning & Strategic Dialogue

• Exchanges between EU|BIC managers, startups, and ecosystem leaders
• Roundtables with Chinese corporates, academia, and public authorities

Startup Exposure & B2B Matchmaking

• Curated meetings based on:
  • sector of activity
  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and market readiness level (The invitation is both for early-stage start-ups and mature companies with market-ready products/services.)
  • business model (B2B, B2B2C, B2C, etc.)
• Focus on realistic market entry, partnerships, and collaboration pathways

Embedded Learning at UNNC

• Access to UNNC innovation and technology-transfer facilities
• Exchanges with incubation teams, researchers, and student entrepreneurs

Cultural & Relationship-Building Moments

• Curated cultural discovery and networking moments
• Informal settings designed to build long-term trust and cooperation

In addition to the Ningbo ecosystem, the programme will include a second location in China-Hangzhou^[2] – China’s top cities measured by innovation, science and technology. This is designed to expand ecosystem discovery and partnership potential. This is meant to offer participants a broader and more diverse market perspective of China.

Who can apply

This initiative is open to:

• Certified EU|BICs
• EU|BIC Associate Members
• Startups (inside or outside the EU|BIC Community) with a clear interest in the Chinese market

How to apply

• If you are a member of the EU|BIC Community (Certified EU|BIC or EU|BIC Associate Member), please submit your application here: EU|BIC Community -CALL FOR INTEREST: EU|BIC Ecosystem Discovery Visit 2026 – Ningbo (China) – Fill in form

• If you are a startup, please apply here through the dedicated startup Call for Interest: STARTUPS – CALL FOR INTEREST: EU|BIC Ecosystem Discovery Visit 2026 – Ningbo (China)  – Fill in form

Participation will be selective to ensure:

• strategic relevance
• readiness for international engagement
• high-quality interactions during the visit

The deadline for applications is 15 March 2026.

For further information, contact Florian Sora at florian.sora@ebn.eu.

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Information Webinar – 5 February 2026 | 09:30–10:30 (CET)

We will host a webinar to present the initiative and answer questions. The webinar will be in 5 February 2026 from 09:30 to 10:30. We will present the visiting ecosystem, delve into soft-landing best practices, introduce the Call for Expression of Interest, and answer participants’ questions.

To register for the webinar, click here.

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[1] How is the Yangtze River Delta driving China’s economic development, available at: https://www.ey.com/en_cn/insights/china-opportunities/how-is-yangtze-river-delta-driving-china-economic-development?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[2] Relevant information on Hangzhou can be found on the PWC report, available at: https:/www.pwccn.com/en/research-and-insights/publications/chinese-cities-of-opportunities-2024-report.pdf