Xiamen BRICS Cross‑Border Innovation Accelerator Program 2026 – Gateway to the China Market for BRICS and Emerging‑Market Innovators
The Xiamen BRICS Cross‑Border Innovation Accelerator Program 2026 is a flagship international acceleration initiative hosted in Xiamen, China, designed to help high‑potential overseas and China‑based innovation companies enter, validate and scale in the Chinese market. Positioned within the China‑BRICS science and innovation ecosystem, the accelerator offers participants an integrated pathway covering market access, funding, industrial scenario matching and one‑stop landing services, with a strong focus on BRICS and “BRICS+” innovation cooperation.
The program targets innovation‑driven companies, internationalised Chinese firms and unregistered projects with mature technologies or prototypes that can be applied within Xiamen’s “4+4+6” Modern Industrial System. This industrial framework prioritises:
- 4 pillar industries
- Electronic information (next‑generation displays, integrated circuits, software & information services, smart terminals)
- Machinery and equipment (high‑end equipment and instruments, aviation maintenance and manufacturing, automotive, electrical power equipment)
- Trade and logistics (logistics services, business supply chain, convention & exhibition services)
- Financial services
- 4 strategic emerging industries
- Bio‑medicine and health (biomedicine, industry services, urban agriculture)
- New materials
- New energy
- Culture, tourism and creative industries (cultural tourism, creativity, fashion & consumer goods)
- 6 future industries
- Artificial intelligence
- Future networks
- Advanced strategic materials
- Hydrogen energy and energy storage
- Gene and biotechnology
- Deep sea, aerospace and aviation development
Participating teams benefit from a comprehensive support package that includes:
- Accelerated access & funding
- China market access consultancy and tailored guidance on local regulations and business practices
- Connection to innovation and market channels in Xiamen and broader China
- International round‑trip travel subsidy
- Coverage of in‑country expenses during the offline visit (accommodation, local transport, meals)
- Direct investor engagement
- Access to the BRICS Technology and Innovation Fund and Xiamen Industrial Investment Fund
- Linkages to substantial public funding and early‑stage equity investors
- Industrial scenario matching
- Matching with Xiamen’s “4+4+6” industrial scenarios for pilots and demonstration
- Networking with leading entrepreneurs from BRICS and partner countries
- Personalised technical guidance and feedback from industry experts
- One‑stop landing support
- Talent recruitment support
- Legal consultation for company setup and compliance
- Dedicated workspace in Xiamen
- Investment and financing matchmaking, plus longer‑term soft‑landing and incubation services
Program timeline and key milestones:
- Online application submission – by 24:00, February 28, 2026 (Beijing Time), including eligibility and completeness check.
- Preliminary review and screening (Jan–Feb 2026) – assessment of technological innovation, business model, team internationalisation, and alignment with Xiamen’s industrial priorities.
- Admission notification and MOU signing – by March 7, 2026, with official admission letters and Accelerator Program agreements.
- Online workshop (April 2026) – cross‑border training sessions covering China market entry, IP, partnerships and localisation.
- Online financing matchmaking (2 April 2026) – virtual investor and partner matchmaking focused on financing.
- Offline visit & matchmaking (May 2026) – approximately 20 selected start‑ups invited to Xiamen for in‑person investor meetings, industry engagement, corporate visits and innovation summits, with travel and local costs subsidised.
The program runs in English, and professional bilingual staff and translation are provided, ensuring non‑Chinese‑speaking founders can fully participate. Review and selection are expected to be completed within roughly four weeks after the application deadline, with all results communicated via email.
Beyond the accelerator itself, Xiamen offers an attractive environment for innovation and BRICS cooperation: a national high‑tech zone, strong electronics, software and biomedicine clusters, nearly 100 listed companies with market capitalisation over RMB 600 billion, and thousands of investment institutions. Specific incentives for BRICS innovators include municipal sci‑tech sub‑programs with up to RMB 1 million per SME project, talent support for highly qualified foreign founders, and incubation funding of up to RMB 3 million for individual BRICS innovation cooperation projects.
Countries eligible to apply
The accelerator is explicitly international and prioritises applicants from BRICS full members, BRICS partner countries/observers and other key emerging and innovation economies, as well as selected regions.
- BRICS full member countries
- Brazil
- Russia
- India
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Iran
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Indonesia
- BRICS partner countries / observers (subject to the latest BRICS cooperation announcements)
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Kazakhstan
- Uzbekistan
- Belarus
- Nigeria
- Uganda
- Cuba
- Bolivia
- Saudi Arabia
- Other eligible/emphasised countries and regions
- Countries along the Belt and Road Initiative
- RCEP member states (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership)
- Major innovation hubs in Europe and the Americas
Applicants from non‑full‑member countries are encouraged to indicate their cooperation or business ties with BRICS countries in their applications, especially where their country’s status as a BRICS partner is evolving.
Eligible applicant types
The program accepts three main applicant categories, each with specific criteria and documentation requirements:
- Overseas Innovation Company (Type A)
- Incorporated outside of China.
- Possesses core technologies or innovative products with clear competitive potential in international markets.
- Demonstrates strong alignment and implementation potential with Xiamen’s industrial landscape and “4+4+6” sectors.
- Required: overseas registration documents.
- Domestic Internationalised Innovation Company (Type B)
- Technology‑based companies registered in China.
- Founding or technical team includes members from BRICS countries, other emerging markets or key innovation nations.
- Committed to international development, with technologies/products suitable for cross‑border application.
- Required:
- Domestic registration documents.
- Identification or CVs of foreign founders/core team members (e.g. passports).
- Unregistered Innovation Project (Type C)
- Not yet registered as a company but has a mature business plan and technical prototype.
- At least one foreign member in the founding or core team (mandatory).
- Business plan must include all core elements and show strong scenario‑based application potential in Xiamen or China.
- Required:
- Identification or CVs of foreign founders/core team members.
- Proof of application potential (e.g. POC reports, user feedback, pilot data).
The working language is English, and applicants are encouraged to submit bilingual (Chinese–English) business plans or at least an English version with a Chinese abstract to expedite review. Large files should be compressed or shared via cloud links where necessary.
How to apply
- Submit the online application and all required attachments by 24:00, February 28, 2026 (Beijing Time).
- Ensure all sections are complete, documents are within size limits, and any non‑Chinese material includes a concise Chinese summary if possible.
- After submission, applicants can expect a review and notification period of around four weeks, with stage results shared via email according to the program process.
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