Teams gather in Guangzhou to compete in IPIEC Global finals

The engineered micro-pancreas project from Israel takes the crown at the IPIEC Global finals. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

A total of 10 creative teams from countries including the UK, Germany, South Korea and Israel gathered in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Jan 23 for the final round of the 2017 Intellectual Property Innovation & Entrepreneurship Contest (IPIEC Global).

The 10 finalists were selected from among 832 participating groups. The international event, which has held contests in a total of seven countries since last June, will wrap up this month as the finalists set up shop in Guangzhou to showcase their innovative projects and seek business opportunities.

The projects span a number of fields including Guangzhou's IAB and NEM industries (referring to next generation of information technology, artificial intelligence, biological medicine, new energy and new material industries), with many featuring leading cutting-edge technologies.

Ten IPIEC Global finalists participate in the project roadshow at Guangzhou Baiyun Hotel on Jan 23. [Photo/Xinhua]

The roadshow gave the teams a chance to demonstrate the strengths and advantages of their products, as well as their commercial viability and future development possibilities. A special panel of judges evaluated each team's creative contribution and marketing strategy and assigned a score accordingly.

After a fierce competition, the top three winners were unveiled -- the engineered micro-pancreas project from Israel, the atomic-forged rotors project brought by American technological company Pure Forge and the vision system 4D MMS project developed by German company PTX tech.

The engineered micro-pancreas aims to provide a better way to treat patients with type 1 diabetes. By implanting an artificial micro-pancreas under the skin, patients can maintain their insulin levels without the need for injections, according to Shay, leader of the project. The project has signed agreements with Guangzhou-based Xiangxue Pharmaceuticals and Shenzhen-based technology company Xilong Scientific.

A project signing ceremony is held after the competition. [Photo/Xinhua] 

In the past, people mostly came to Guangzhou in search of investment opportunities, but in recent years more and more people have come to start their own businesses, illustrating the city's increasing potential for innovation and gradual rise on the world stage, said Xie Xuhui, CEO of WTOIP.com, one of the organizers of IPIEC Global.

The top ten projects are closely connected to Guangzhou's IAB and NEM industries, he added, saying these emerging industries have a promising future.