Slush Shanghai 2026 is about to kick off, with global innovation forces gathering in Shanghai.

From September 22 to 23, TechCrunch Shanghai 2026 will be held at Hall A of West Bund Art Center, Xuhui District, Shanghai. As one of the key events of the 6th "Global Talents Gathering in Shanghai" Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit Entrepreneurship Week, this conference is also one of the most influential science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem events in Asia, which is expected to attract more than 15,000 professional visitors, over 3,000 startups, more than 3,000 investors and over 200 keynote speakers. Entrepreneurs, investors, enterprise representatives and innovation institutions from more than 60 countries and regions will also gather in Shanghai to discuss the new trends of scientific and technological innovation and industrial development.

After years of development, TechCrunch Shanghai has gradually developed into a comprehensive innovation platform integrating scientific and technological innovation, venture capital, industrial exchange and international cooperation. In 2025, TechCrunch Shanghai celebrated its 10th anniversary, attracting more than 13,000 professional visitors, over 2,700 startups, and more than 3,000 investors, bringing together entrepreneurs, investment institutions and enterprise representatives from multiple countries and regions. In 2026, the conference will be further upgraded in terms of scale, international participation, content arrangement and on-site experience.

Focus on Technological Innovation and Industrial Application, Covering Multiple Cutting-edge Fields

As technologies such as artificial intelligence, new energy, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology are accelerating their entry into the industrial application stage, scientific and technological innovation is evolving from single technological breakthroughs to more extensive industrial collaboration.

TechCrunch Shanghai 2026 will arrange content around global innovation, artificial intelligence and applications, industrial innovation and other directions, covering multiple fields including culture and consumer technology, life health, future mobility, future intelligence, environment and sustainable development, and advanced manufacturing.

The conference will invite representatives from technology enterprises, startups, investment institutions and frontline of the industry through keynote speeches, roundtable forums, fireside chats and other forms to discuss issues such as artificial intelligence applications, industrial innovation, global market expansion and the development of entrepreneurship ecosystem.

At present, the guest lineup of the conference is being announced successively, and more than 200 speakers will participate in the on-site sharing and communication of this conference.

From "Hearing the Trends" to "Direct Participation", On-site Connections Are Further Strengthened

Different from traditional conferences that center on stage content, TechCrunch Shanghai has always taken the practical connections among entrepreneurs, investors and industrial institutions as an important part of the conference.

This year, the conference will continue to set up various exhibition spaces such as startup booths and brand booths, providing opportunities for startups and innovative brands to display their products and conduct face-to-face exchanges. It is expected that hundreds of innovative enterprises and brands will showcase their latest products and solutions on site.

Meanwhile, the conference will also set up communication scenarios such as targeted matchmaking, creating more direct communication opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, enterprises and innovation institutions.

For entrepreneurial teams looking for financing, partners and market opportunities, offline face-to-face communication remains one of the core values of TechCrunch Shanghai.

Roadshow Contest Returns to the Core Venue of the Conference, 60 Startup Projects Compete on the Stage

The TechCrunch Shanghai 2026 Roadshow Contest will also become one of the important contents of the conference.

This year's roadshow contest is open for registration to startups at the A-round and pre-A stages, focusing on cultural and creative consumption, artificial intelligence, life health, green and sustainable technology, advanced manufacturing and transportation and other tracks. After screening by investors, a total of 60 startup projects will enter the on-site roadshow session of the conference, with 12 seats set for each track.

Selected projects will conduct on-site roadshows in front of investors, entrepreneurs and professional visitors at the conference venue, and demonstrate the technical capabilities, business models and development potential of the projects through on-site Q&A.

At present, the roadshow projects are entering the selection stage, and the full list is expected to be announced in late August.

International Participation Continues to Expand, Shanghai Becomes an Important Connection Point of the Global Innovation Network

Internationalization is also one of the important features of TechCrunch Shanghai 2026.

At present, innovation institutions and entrepreneurship ecosystem partners from Europe, Asia and other regions have participated in relevant cooperation of the conference. Innovation forces from countries including Germany, France, Singapore, South Korea and regions such as Latin America will participate in exchanges and related activities during this conference.

The conference is expected to attract participants from more than 60 countries and regions. In addition to the content of the main venue, parallel activities around different countries, regions and innovation ecosystems will also be held successively, providing in-depth communication opportunities for overseas entrepreneurs, investment institutions and Chinese market participants.

For overseas startups looking for opportunities in the Chinese and Asian markets, TechCrunch Shanghai will also become an important offline scenario to understand China's innovation ecosystem, find industrial partners and expand market connections.

In Addition to the Two-day Conference, More Innovation Activities Will Be Launched in Shanghai

Apart from the main venue content, TechCrunch Shanghai 2026 will also present a number of parallel activities, community activities and post-conference activities.

Beyond technology, entrepreneurship and investment, music, art and the creativity of young people will continue to be an important part of the TechCrunch on-site experience. Through a more open and diverse on-site environment, the conference hopes to enable participants from different industries, backgrounds and countries to build more connections outside the official agenda.

From entrepreneur roadshows to enterprise exhibitions; from investor exchanges to matchmaking with international innovation institutions; from themed forums to community activities beyond the conference, TechCrunch Shanghai 2026 will further strengthen the integration of conference content, industry exchanges and on-site experience.

From September 22 to 23, TechCrunch Shanghai 2026 will be held at Hall A of West Bund Art Center, Xuhui District, Shanghai.

With the theme of "Be in the Game | Don't Watch on the Edge of the Era", this conference expects more innovators to step from the sidelines into the scene, and participate in the ongoing changes through real communication, collision and cooperation.

TechCrunch Shanghai 2026, September 22-23, See You at West Bund, Shanghai.

Registration: https://hdxu.cn/1xqxv

Official Website of TechCrunch: https://www.s-union.cn/1