On the afternoon of May 27, 2026, East China Normal University (ECNU) held the first edition of its International Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Co-organized by the Office of International Education and the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and hosted by the International Students Union (ISU), the event brought together students from different countries and academic backgrounds to exchange ideas and showcase their talents.

Registration opened on March 21 and quickly drew a strong response from international students across the university. To help participants better understand the rules and sharpen their project ideas, the organizing committee held an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Exchange Session on March 28, offering a space for interested students to connect and share thoughts.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Exchange Session

The competition narrowed down to 13 teams for the final round after nearly two months of project refinement and preparation.

Two rounds decided the winners: project presentations first, then a Q&A with the judges. On the panel sat four experts — Dr. Yu Chao (Deputy General Manager, ECNU Science Park), Guo Haijun (joint PhD candidate, Columbia University & ECNU), Associate Professor Yang Feifei (Asia-Europe Business School), and Jiang Yimin (School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship). They evaluated each project on four fronts: personal growth, innovation, industry value, and teamwork — and gave professional guidance throughout.

Project Presentations

The competition brought together international students from diverse backgrounds. One by one, the 13 teams took the stage to present their concepts — blending their home-country experiences with what they’ve learned in China, and exploring fresh ideas in technology, social development, culture, and education.

Trip Trove takes on a common headache for foreigners traveling in China: language barriers and cultural confusion. Its solution? A one-stop platform integrating translation, navigation, and cultural guides.

UnyNest tackles housing. The platform vets properties and streamlines multilingual communication, offering international students a safe and efficient way to find a place to live.

OptiYear is a dual-track platform for academic and career growth — matching students with opportunities and tracking their progress along the way.

Wild Hour blends Malaysian and Yemeni influences into a cross-cultural cafe. Think signature drinks, immersive spaces, and cultural salons.

Thaihe designs a screen-free AI smart wristband for seniors living alone. Real-time health monitoring and one-touch emergency assistance — technology that protects.

Mo You Ji teaches Chinese calligraphy through micro-level challenges, making the art accessible to learners around the world.

Tong Xing (Campus Digital Map Accessibility Platform) removes mobility barriers on campus with voice navigation, volunteer matching, and real-time route updates.

SmartSort AI builds an AI-powered waste-sorting system: precise recognition, automatic bin opening, and data analysis — efficient and low-cost.

Hezhong Team Building offers customized team-building programs that balance fun and collaboration, designed to strengthen any team.

XueBan (Study Buddy) is an AI classroom assistant for multilingual learners. It transcribes, translates, and auto-generates notes in real time.

ECNU International Student Campus Service System is a WeChat mini-program that handles event registration, attendance, bilingual guidance — all in one place.

ECNU CONNEC+ bridges cultural gaps between Chinese and international students through interest mapping, real-time translation, and community networking.

StyleLoop is an AI-powered circular fashion platform that reduces clothing waste with smart outfit recommendations and a clothing-sharing feature.

Closing Words and Awards

Professor Yang Feifei from the Asia-Europe Business School closed the event with a few words to the participants. She praised the students for spotting real problems and turning their cross-cultural perspectives into workable, creative solutions. That, she said, takes both imagination and execution. But this competition, she reminded them, is just the beginning. Real innovation means pushing forward, trying things out, and never stopping at version one. Her parting advice: hold on to that curiosity. Keep at it. And turn your ideas into something real.

Gold Award

OptiYear team: Michael Manuel Gonzalez, Iris Taylor, Adrian Serville, Jack Craik

Silver Award

UnyNest team: Nezar Ourahay, Hilel Barranov, Phanomphone Saysombath

StyleLoop team: Chen Mei Ling, Chellsy Angelita Dalim Saputra, Nakamon Sae-Ngow

Bronze Award

Trip Trove team: Guan Xinyi, Ito Aoi, Iwashita Tadashi, Huang Shanqing, Seto Yumi

Mo You Ji team: Lin Mingxi, Na Xiang, Zhao Yongtao, Mu Anqi

ECNU International Student Campus Service System team: Lu Xianni, Li Zhongjie, Qiu Yongjun, Huang Jianqiang

From here, these projects will keep evolving and reaching for bigger stages — showing what international students can do. And more bright ideas are on the way, ready to bring fresh energy to cross-cultural exchange and innovation.

Source: East China Normal University