The 2nd edition of 928 Challenge between University Students from China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries is calling for applications!

A start-up competition focused on building bridges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the second edition of the 928 Challenge is now calling for registrations from university students and start-ups in China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The sign-up period will run until 30 September.

The entrepreneurial competition is jointly organised by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, City University of Macau (CityU), and other tertiary education institutions in Macao, the mainland and overseas. This year's edition will be held under a different structure: one dedicated to university students and a new track open to the participation of start-up businesses to attract more participants.

The 928 Challenge fosters the concept of the “Macao Platform” at the entrepreneurship level. It engages students and start-ups from China and the Portuguese-speaking countries to propose business ideas for new ventures based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, injecting fresh energy into the markets.

According to Prof José Alves, Dean of the Faculty of Business of CityU and Co-founder of the 928 Challenge, the entrepreneurial ecosystems need synergies and collaboration between universities, companies, and government institutions for all parties involved gain successful outcomes.

The 928 Challenge allows all kinds of ideas and initiatives to flourish into businesses. Joining this competition, students will have the opportunities to put knowledge into practice, enhance their competitiveness to start sustainable business. It is an exchange platform for scholars and students to broaden international horizons and gain access to global networks. In addition, the competition also bridges potential investors and start-ups to explore visionary business strategies in the markets. To help businesses to grow, the 928 Challenge prepares an acceleration programme to support the finalist teams to access markets and funding in the Greater Bay Area, Prof José Alves said.

This year’s edition expects 1,600 participants, 300 teams from a hundred universities in China and Portuguese-speaking countries, ultimately promotes sustainability and cooperation between the two sides, and contribution to the Macao Platform, Prof José Alves pointed out.

Dr Marco Rizzolio, Lecturer of the Faculty of Business of CityU and Co-founder of the 928 Challenge, explained the two-week online boot camp will be led by a team of experts. During the lectures, they will share knowledge on the business environment and opportunities in China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and provide professional advice on business proposals to help participants develop more promising business projects to attract investments.

The final of the 2nd 928 Challenge is scheduled for 29 October. The best projects shortlisted will be presented to a jury, composed of academics and entrepreneurs. The three winning teams will share a prize of MOP70,000, as well as a MOP30,000 cloud service prize, sponsored by Chinese technology company – Alibaba.

For interested parties, please sign-up the 928 Challenge via https://928challenge.org/register/. For more information, please visit https://928challenge.org/.