Building on the Success of Innovation Fair 2025
The upcoming edition builds upon the remarkable success of the 5th Innovation Fair, which confirmed the growing relevance of the event as a platform for international business development and technological cooperation.
The Innovation Fair 2025 attracted more than 1.000 Chinese institutions, over 150 overseas delegates and representatives from more than 100 companies and organizations.
Participants represented a wide range of sectors including advanced manufacturing, digital services, artificial intelligence, environmental technology, life sciences and education and training. The fair served not only as a networking platform but also as a concrete business accelerator. Through carefully curated matchmaking sessions, European companies were able to engage directly with Chinese partners, distributors, research centers and investors.
The agenda of the 2025 edition combined company visits, sector-specific presentations, institutional dialogues and targeted matchmaking meetings, enabling participants to gain first-hand insight into China’s industrial ecosystem.
Among the highlights were visits to leading Chinese companies and innovation hubs in Nanjing and surrounding areas, where European delegates explored collaboration opportunities. The programme also included thematic sessions on European participation in Chinese innovation ecosystems, as well as discussions on technology transfer, research cooperation and market expansion strategies.
In addition to business meetings, the event provided participants with a broader understanding of China’s innovation landscape through institutional presentations, industry panels and networking sessions designed to foster long-term collaboration.
Presentations at the Innovation Fair 2025
A Platform Supporting Innovators Since 2018
Since its launch in 2018, the Innovation Fair has steadily expanded its scope and international reach. The first edition focused on connecting startups with multinational companies and research institutions, while subsequent editions progressively integrated hybrid formats, international exhibitions and deeper industry engagement.
Over the years, the event has become a reference platform for European organizations seeking structured access to China’s innovation ecosystem. The fair not only facilitates commercial partnerships but also promotes collaboration in research, education and technology development. The diversity of sectors represented at the event reflects the growing convergence between technological innovation and global economic transformation.
Advanced manufacturing, digital services, artificial intelligence, environmental technologies, life sciences and smart city solutions are among the industries that have consistently played a central role in the fair. These sectors are increasingly interconnected and require international collaboration to address global challenges such as sustainability, digital transformation and industrial modernization.
Innovation Fair 2026: Expanding Opportunities for International Cooperation
The Innovation Fair 2026 will build on this legacy by further strengthening its international dimension. The event will once again welcome European business delegations to China, offering participants a comprehensive programme that includes exhibition opportunities, business matchmaking sessions, industry visits and institutional networking.
Participants will benefit from direct access to Chinese companies and innovation ecosystems, as well as logistical support such as transportation, accommodation and organized company visits throughout the event. The fair will also feature dedicated spaces for exhibitors, enabling European organizations to showcase their technologies, present innovative solutions and identify potential partners for joint ventures, distribution agreements or research collaborations.
Through these activities, the event aims to create a dynamic environment where ideas can be transformed into concrete partnerships and where innovation can be translated into tangible economic and societal impact.
Connecting Innovation with Sustainability and Circular Economy
Beyond technological innovation, the Innovation Fair also contributes to advancing sustainability and circular economy solutions. In this context, international initiatives and complementary events play a crucial role in expanding collaboration networks and promoting sustainable innovation.
One such initiative is the Circular Economy Summit in Ibagué, Colombia, a global platform dedicated to promoting circular economy strategies, sustainable business models and green technologies.
Presentation of the Circular Economy Summit in Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia (21–23 April 2026)
The participation of organizations attending Innovation Fair activities in events such as the Cumbre de Economía Circular in Ibagué, including through exhibition stands and institutional presence, reflects the increasing alignment between innovation ecosystems and sustainability agendas. These cross-event collaborations help build a global network of stakeholders working toward shared objectives: climate resilience, resource efficiency and sustainable economic development.
Finnova Foundation: Promoting European Innovation and Funding Opportunities
Among the European organizations actively contributing to this international cooperation framework is the Finnova Foundation, which plays a key role in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and European funding opportunities. During Innovation Fair activities and related international events, Finnova highlights the importance of European programmes that support research, innovation and international collaboration.
In particular, the foundation actively promotes opportunities under Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship programme for research and innovation, which funds collaborative projects addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, ecosystems, environment, sustainable industry, etc.
Finnova also works to facilitate participation in Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) initiatives, which support international cooperation between universities and institutions, strengthening education systems and fostering knowledge exchange between regions. Through its experience in European project development, Finnova provides guidance to companies, universities and public institutions interested in accessing European funding programmes and developing international partnerships.
By connecting European funding mechanisms with global innovation ecosystems such as the Innovation Fair, organizations like Finnova contribute to building bridges between research, entrepreneurship and international cooperation.
Finnova Foundation booth promoting EU funding opportunities for innovation
Looking Ahead
As the world faces unprecedented technological, environmental and economic challenges, platforms that facilitate cross-border collaboration are becoming increasingly important.
The Innovation Fair 2026 represents more than just a business event. It is a meeting point for innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers who share a common objective: to build partnerships capable of driving sustainable innovation and economic growth.
By bringing together Europe and China in a structured and collaborative framework, the fair continues to strengthen international innovation ecosystems and open new pathways for global cooperation. For companies, research institutions and public organizations seeking to expand their international footprint, Innovation Fair 2026 offers a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation markets and to become part of a growing network shaping the future of global innovation.
More information:
Innovation Fair 2026 (26 to 30 October 2026 in Jiangsu, China)
Circular Economy Summit (21 to 23 April 2026 in Ibagué, Colombia)
http://cumbreeconomiacircular.com
Finnova foundation