Apply for the Future Shapers Innovation Initiative 2026
Applications are open for the Future Shapers Innovation Initiative 2026, an opportunity for young innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and youth-led organisations with promising solutions to showcase their ideas as part of GREENEXT Expo 2026 in Shanghai, China.
The initiative is being offered through a collaboration coordinated by YPARD China, which is serving as an Initiative Partner. It is designed to give emerging innovators a platform to present their ideas, products, research and solutions to companies, investors, sustainability professionals, institutions and potential partners.
About the Future Shapers Innovation Initiative
The Future Shapers Innovation Initiative is part of Shanghai International ESG Week, described as China’s first ESG Week and guided by the Development and Reform Commission of Jing’an District.
GREENEXT Expo 2026 is expected to attract approximately 10,000 visitors, creating a platform where innovators can engage directly with businesses, investors, industry experts, sustainability practitioners and other stakeholders.
Through its dedicated application channel, YPARD China is connecting youth-led innovation projects from different countries and regions with this wider professional ecosystem.
Final selection of participating projects will be made by GREENEXT.
Participation and Exhibition
In-person participation is preferred, particularly for projects that want to make the most of the networking and exhibition opportunities at GREENEXT Expo 2026.
However, where physical participation is not possible, alternative arrangements for displaying products or project materials may be discussed with the organizers.
This gives youth-led teams an opportunity to present their work even when logistical circumstances make direct participation difficult.
Application Details
The application can be completed in approximately 15 minutes and is available in English or Chinese.
Applicants using the YPARD China channel will be considered for the specific benefits associated with YPARD's recommendation. However, participation and final selection remain subject to evaluation by GREENEXT.
Interested youth-led innovators and organizations are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline 16 September 2026 to be considered for the Future Shapers Innovation Initiative 2026.
Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity
Additional Information
- For early-stage innovators, gaining access to the right networks can be just as important as developing the innovation itself. The Future Shapers Innovation Initiative provides a platform where young teams can move beyond simply presenting an idea and begin engaging with potential users, investors, businesses and organizations that could help take their work further.
- The collective exhibition arrangement also reduces one of the barriers often faced by emerging projects—the cost of securing an individual exhibition space.
- Start-ups
- Early-stage teams
- Unregistered innovation teams
- University students
- Researchers
- Independent young innovators
- NGOs
- Social innovation teams
- Projects from all countries and regions are invited to apply.
- Applicants are expected to have an innovation, project, product, research initiative, prototype or solution that can be presented to an audience interested in sustainability, ESG, innovation and emerging solutions.
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