A representative of Aituling (Shanghai) Information Technology Co, first prize winner of the "Smart the Future" Innovation Competition, receives a bonus of 30,000 yuan. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiangfabu]

Shanghai, one of the six competition spots of the "Smart the Future" Innovation Competition sponsored by Intel Innovation Accelerator, started its final in Zhangjiang area on Dec 11.

Three startup firms – Aituling (Shanghai) Information Technology Co, Niumai Technology (Shanghai), and Sicheng Electronics Technology - became the top three winners and qualified to the national final, which is set to take place in January 2018, on behalf of Shanghai.

Aituling applies computer vision technology into intelligent refrigerators, making them capable of identifying food materials. Niumai focuses on the R&D of smart systems for next generation autonomous driving. And Sicheng is devoted to the application and R & D of new flexible strain sensor, biomechanics/sports medicine equipment, and high-end sports devices.

Bonuses of 30,000 yuan ($4532.6), 15,000 yuan, and 5,000 yuan were granted to the top three winners respectively.

Many industry leaders, top investors, and academic experts, including Ke Lin, partner of New Access Capital, Fu Lijun, partner of Innoangel Fund, Sun Weiqin, general manager of Vπ Zhangjiang Incubator, and Sun Xiaohua, deputy head of College of Design and Innovation of Tongji University, were invited to attend the final.

During the final, WECAN Startup Accelerator, organizer of the Shanghai competition, also reached a cooperation deal with Draper University, a short-term entrepreneurship training school from Silicon Valley, US.

A China-US Youth Cross-border Innovation Summit was also held along with the final. During the summit, Draper University announced to join the China-US Youth (Shanghai) Innovation Alliance, which was renamed China-US Youth (Cross-border) Innovation Alliance thereafter.

The alliance is dedicated to promoting the formation of Chinese and American maker cultures, helping optimize the environment of innovation communities and incubator for Chinese makers, and enhancing exchanges between young entrepreneurs of the two countries.