The "Opportunity Lab – Venture Builders" concluded with a demo day on June 18 in Beijing's Chaoyang district, spotlighting 12 startup teams formed by 37 international students from 26 countries.

Startup projects led by international students from Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Hungary, and Brazil stood out among the finalists, winning top honors including Best Startup, Best Tech Innovation, and Most Promising Project awards.

These winning teams will receive a comprehensive support package featuring company registration guidance, free office space, legal and compliance consulting, and industry resource matchmaking.

They will also be recommended for entry into the 2025 International Talent Entrepreneurship Conference (ITEC) Global Entrepreneurship Competition, offering further exposure and funding opportunities.

Mentor and judge Justyna Szpakowska, a cross-cultural media entrepreneur from Poland and founder of You Fun, praised the diversity of the projects, which covered fields such as agriculture, technology, healthcare, and mental wellness.

"What stood out was the practical potential of these startups, their outcomes, and their relevance to the Chinese market or cross-border cooperation," she said.

Laszlo Ori, a Hungarian student at Peking University, won the Most Promising Project Award for his startup Picton Education, which helps Chinese students apply to universities in Europe.

"I enjoyed being in an environment where entrepreneurship was encouraged. It gave me motivation to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams," Ori said.

Wahed Ahmadzai, founder of nHUB and secretary-general of the Alumni Talent Alliance, said the program was designed to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among international students.

"We believe the international students community in Beijing has tremendous potential in being a cultural, innovation, and economic bridge between China and the world," he added.

Spanning six weeks, the Venture Builders event featured tailored workshops, hands-on training, and mentorship by experienced international entrepreneurs in Beijing. The curriculum covered business modeling, AI tools, product development, and marketing strategies.

Since its launch in 2024, the program has received strong interest from the global student community, drawing over 120 applicants from 77 countries and regions. After a competitive selection process, 37 outstanding founders were admitted to begin their entrepreneurial journey in Beijing.

Looking ahead, the "Opportunity Lab" initiative will continue to host thematic events, including networking salons for international PhD students and ongoing community-building activities.

As part of broader efforts to attract and support global talent, Chaoyang district has launched youth-focused initiatives under ITEC2025, offering funding, office space, housing support, and zero-cost startup services.

The ITEC Global Entrepreneurship Competition has so far welcomed over 60,000 participants from 86 countries, with more than 1,200 projects landing in Beijing and securing over 45 billion yuan in investment.

Applications for ITEC2025 are now open, with talent competition submissions accepted through August 15 and general entries through August 31.

The event was guided by the Chaoyang District Talent Work Bureau and organized by the Alumni Talent Alliance.