Research Initiated for the 2026 China Equity Investment Industry Directory!
Friends from the 36Kr Venture Capital Research Institute:
Happy Chinese New Year!
Throughout the spring of 2026, the venture capital circle has been extremely busy: Some of you might be involved in shrimp farming or participating in lobster-related activities; some might be delving into technology and writing code; some might be looking for teammates to fight side by side; or perhaps constantly switching between various AI apps... Now is the time when AI is flourishing, and the 2026 annual research plan of Dark Waves has been officially announced!
In the past year of 2025, we witnessed AI transform from silent code in the laboratory to a prominent discipline that has changed the industrial foundation. Dark Waves published 96 articles, continuously tracking and reporting events in the primary market, recording the strong entry of state-owned/industrial investment institutions, and accompanying AI through every key node from "concept verification" to "business closed-loop".
This year, we will continue to track what's happening and the newly emerging groups of people. Just as our slogan goes: "The flow of money and the rise and fall of people." We're looking for people - scientists who are entering the entrepreneurial process; industrial investment institutions that are gradually emerging; and young entrepreneurial groups from various fields. We're also concerned about money - the code behind the industrial changes of capital; the structural changes in technology implementation; and the market liquidity and popular tracks.
Here is the annual roster research plan. Different from the past, on the basis of maintaining the core groups on the institutional side : GPs (financial/industrial investment institutions), LPs, FAs, investors, etc., a complete matrix of the enterprise-side research roster has been added.
There are a total of 8 major categories of research rosters to comprehensively and truthfully reflect the annual picture of the "Chinese equity investment industry".
Figure 1: 2026 Institutional List Planning
Figure 2: 2026 Enterprise List Planning
To analyze and select the list in a scientific and quantifiable way based on detailed institutional data, the "36Kr Online Research System for the Chinese Equity Investment Market" has been in operation for the third year. [Institutional partners] who want to participate in the 2026 selection can register an account by visiting the website https://touzi.36kr.com/ and apply for relevant awards.
[Enterprise partners] can continuously follow the official accounts of Dark Waves & 36Kr to get the list and the registration channel for the summit. Information related to subsequent registration, selection, and participation will be released here in a timely manner.
In the new year, we will focus on improving the research quality. Based on data, we will have more real and in - depth conversations with you, explore the industrial essence behind capital, and continuously produce more valuable and refined research. We will also keep up with the changes of the times, stay sensitive between trends and reality, and continuously output warm, in - depth, and forward - looking judgments and content.
And the two offline summits are not only the results of the research but also the places and reasons for us to meet:
Part 01 - WAVES New Wave Conference
Time: Early June - Midsummer
Location: To be determined
WAVES New Wave brings together young people who are changing the world. What WAVES wants to build is exactly such an "experimental field". We've removed the dullness of the hotel banquet hall and broken the boundary between the guest seats and the audience seats. When capital, technology, and ambition collide rapidly in a specific space, what we call "the future" will truly emerge.
Every wave of a generation starts with a group of "rule - breaking" young people. On the WAVES coordinate axis, the scale always points to those under 36 years old.
They may no longer be obsessed with the money - burning game, but they have an almost paranoid enthusiasm for "the reconstruction of the physical foundation". They don't believe in the authority of experience but only in the logic of code and the vitality of products. The steering wheel of the primary market is shifting towards this "new generation of venture capital group". We don't define young people; we just stand by their side.
Scene Photo 1 from 2025
Scene Photo 2 from 2025
And this year! Four brand - new sections are presented. The "Emerging Main Stage" refreshes your perception and innovatively explores the depth of thoughts; "The Challenge for Intelligent Youth" verifies abilities and defines the common iteration of AI and humans in actual combat; "One - time AI Company" is a flash - in - the - pan experience to witness business changes; "The 00s Comedy Night" captures inter - generational resonance with the 00s and 10s in laughter...
In June, let's head to this never - ending venture capital midsummer together.
Scene Photo 1 from 2023
Scene Photo 2 from 2023
Part 02 - Industrial Future Conference
Time: September - Golden Autumn
Location: To be determined
In September, it's a time to witness the in - depth integration of industry and investment. Witness the in - depth integration of technology and industrial investment power with "industrial capital"; in "in - depth exploration of hard technology", explore the leap from laboratory logic to industrial chain value; look for "new paradigms of industrial investment" to anchor the underlying code of the real economy in the era of RMB funds; cross the "grand - cycle narrative" and record the real rise and fall of the Chinese venture capital market in the changing situation...
Scene Photo 1 of the Industrial Conference
Scene Photo 2 of the Industrial Conference
In September, let's dive into this industrial deep - sea related to power and certainty together.
Scene Photo 3 of the Industrial Conference
Best regards and stay in touch!
Inquiry about the roster: 36krmediair@36kr.com
Business/summit cooperation: miteng@36kr.com
This article is from "Dark Waves".