2nd NYU China-US Startup Competition

I. Background & Vision

This competition aims to systematically identify and empower the most promising early-stage startups in the Greater New York area, creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that integrates project showcasing, targeted networking, and resource empowerment.

We will provide the winning teams with comprehensive exposure opportunities and direct connections to top-tier venture capital firms, angel investors, and senior industry judges in New York. All business plans that pass the preliminary screening will be delivered directly to investors and judges, gaining valuable early-stage visibility. Finalists advancing to the on-site pitch will face decision-making investors for in-depth discussions and receive a specially prepared resource support package.

We now officially invite: Entrepreneurs with disruptive technologies, innovative business models, or exceptional execution capabilities; and investors devoted to discovering the next generation of unicorns—to join us in defining the future of innovation in New York!

II. Event Overview

Event Name:
The 2nd NYU Innovation Summit & Startup Competition (NCUSC, NYU China-US Startup Competition)

Date:
Saturday, November 22, 2025

Time:
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Venue:
Vanderbilt Hall, NYU School of Law

Expected Attendance:
Approx. 300 participants (entrepreneurs, investors, NYU alumni, media, and students),
including 200 audience members.

Event Format:
Keynote Speeches, Thematic Panels, Startup Pitches, Award Ceremony, and Networking Dinner

Event Language:
Pitches and Panels in English only; networking sessions open to all languages.

III. Preparation Timeline

Oct 21 – Nov 7:

• Launch first-round promotional materials (main visual poster, registration page, etc.)
• Collect and review project applications; finalize a list of 25 preliminary candidates.
• Continue confirming additional investors, judges, and speakers.
• Recruit and train volunteers for on-site roles.

Nov 7 – Nov 16:

• Preliminary Round: Conducted via online interviews.
  Each startup presents a 7-minute pitch + 8-minute Q&A, coordinated by the project liaison team.
  Two core judges will score each pitch online.
• Select approximately 8 projects to advance to the final round.
• Send official invitation letters and pitch guidelines to finalists.
• Announce the full lineup of investors, judges, and speakers in the second round of publicity (Nov 7).
• Draft and finalize all panel scripts for speakers.

Nov 16 – Nov 21:

• Prepare the Executive Manual (minute-by-minute run sheet) and distribute to all staff and hosts.
• Compile all pitch decks and share them with judges and investors.
• Conduct full technical tests and rehearsal sessions with speakers, judges, and presenters.
• Confirm all logistics: guest itineraries, panel topics, catering, materials, media list, and volunteer shifts.
• Send “Last Reminder” emails to all participants.

Nov 22, Event Day:
Competition Day!

IV. Event Day Schedule

13:00–14:00

Registration & Networking

Guest check-in and free networking

14:00–14:20

Opening Remarks

Welcome speeches from organizers, faculty, and keynote guests

14:20–15:05

Panel 1

panel discussion (topics: Tech, Venture, AI, or Legal Policy)

15:05–15:15

Title Sponsor Speech

10-minute speech from the naming sponsor

15:15–16:00

Panel 2

panel discussion (topics: Tech, Venture, AI, or Legal Policy)

16:00–18:20

Startup Pitch Session

8 finalist pitches (each 12-min Pitch + 8-min Q&A)

18:20–18:30

Closing Remarks

Organizer summary and announcement of future events

18:30–18:45

Award Ceremony

Announce winners, judge feedback, and prize presentation

18:45–21:00

Dinner Reception

Guests return to the reception hall for dinner and continued networking

V. Project Submission & Evaluation Criteria

1. Submission Requirements

Open to all early- and growth-stage startup teams.
We maintain an open attitude—No restriction on industry or sector.
Submissions shall include a developed prototype or MVP and a clearly defined business model concept.

2. Evaluation Criteria

Judges will assess projects based on four core dimensions:

Founding Team (25%)

• Competence & Experience:
  Do the team’s skills and backgrounds align with project needs? Are they execution-ready?
• Cohesion & Integrity:
  Is the team structure reasonable? Is equity distribution clear? Do they demonstrate resilience and unity?
• Vision & Leadership:
  Does the founder possess deep industry insight and strategic leadership potential?

Innovation & Unique Advantage (30%)

• Innovation:
  Does the project demonstrate significant innovation in technology, product, model, or use case?
• Core Moat:
  Does it have patents, brand power, network effects, or other defensible advantages?

Business Model (20%)

• Clarity & Feasibility:
  Does the project address a real market pain point? Is the value proposition clear? Is the target market well-defined?
• Revenue & Sustainability:
  Are revenue sources diverse and stable? Is the cost structure reasonable? Is there a clear path to long-term profitability?
• Scalability: Is the model replicable and capable of supporting large-scale growth?

Growth & Market Potential (25%)

• Growth Data:
  Has the project demonstrated traction (users, revenue, etc.)? Are growth trends healthy and sustainable?
• Market Capacity & Competitiveness:
  Is the market ceiling high? What are the competitive barriers? How is it differentiated from existing solutions?

VI. Judge Recruitment Criteria

To ensure professionalism, credibility, and diversity of perspectives, we are recruiting judges globally.

We welcome candidates who are:

Industry Experts

• Deep experience in technology, finance, consumer, healthcare, or ESG sectors; and/or
• Senior management or technical leadership roles at renowned firms; and/or
• Able to articulate value chains, key drivers, and 3–5-year industry trends; and/or
• Capable of assessing technical feasibility, process maturity, and scalability.

Successful Entrepreneurs

• Founders with full 0-to-1 startup experience, achieving product-market fit, scaling, or fundraising milestones; and/or
• Firsthand experience in customer validation, product iteration, and key metric tracking; and/or
• Practical insights into equity design, team building, and company culture.

Professional Investors

• Active in VC, PE, or angel investment, with extensive deal experience and notable cases; and/or
• Proficient in financial modeling and valuation analysis; and/or
• Familiar with funding stages and able to advise on capital strategies suited to startup growth.

Cross-disciplinary Leaders

• Distinguished figures from policy research, design thinking, humanities, or media; and/or
• Able to evaluate broader social or ethical impacts of innovation projects; and/or
• Skilled at applying interdisciplinary perspectives to challenge or refine business models.

Premium Sponsor
Watchspace

Watch Space Inc. is a California-based luxury watch technology platform that integrates trading, consignment, authentication, repair, and intelligent valuation into a single ecosystem. Founded in Silicon Valley, the company connects collectors, dealers, and investors through both online and offline channels — combining advanced AI, blockchain, and data analytics to redefine how people buy, sell, and manage high-end timepieces.

With service centers in Silicon Valley, Irvine, Boston, and Salt Lake City, Watch Space has built a trusted nationwide network for certified pre-owned luxury watches. Its proprietary AI valuation engine analyzes market data from thousands of transactions to provide real-time pricing, authenticity verification, and predictive insights for brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Omega.

The company’s franchise model enables local partners to operate under the unified Watch Space brand, offering customers face-to-face services while leveraging the headquarters’ technology, inventory, and marketing systems. Franchisees benefit from shared logistics, centralized authentication, and a profit-sharing structure that aligns incentives across the entire network.

Looking ahead, Watch Space is developing an AI-driven trading platform and RWA (Real-World Asset) tokenization system, allowing collectors to securely fractionalize, trade, and finance watch assets on-chain. By merging data intelligence with blockchain transparency, the company aims to become the global infrastructure for the luxury watch economy — where ownership, liquidity, and trust converge.

Watch Space is more than a marketplace; it is a next-generation ecosystem that transforms watches from static collectibles into dynamic, data-driven assets — empowering users to make smarter investment decisions in the world of timeless craftsmanship.

Diamond Sponsor
Hibee

HiBee International Consulting is dedicated to providing comprehensive, end-to-end business solutions for global enterprises and entrepreneurs. Our experienced consulting team has successfully built complete U.S. business visa support systems for companies and individuals across more than 20 industries—including information technology, biotechnology, financial engineering, and nonprofit organizations—maintaining a strong competitive edge in H-1B specialty occupation and O-1A/O-1B extraordinary ability visa applications.

At HiBee, we uphold the core philosophy of “Empowering Business, Connecting Value.” Through our signature events such as entrepreneur salons, industry networking sessions, and innovation project roadshows in the Greater New York area, we have built a vibrant platform where entrepreneurs can efficiently expand their networks, integrate resources, and foster cross-sector collaboration—continuously advancing the global presence of Chinese business leadership.