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SILKWAY 2026
Upcoming: 25th May to 2nd June
Accelerator Program to Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Silkway is a cross-border innovation accelerator initiated by Aalto Entrepreneurship Society (Aaltoes) in 2025. It is designed to bridge the gap between Finnish startups and China’s rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.
Market Exploration Program for Startups
Backed by our top-tier bilateral partners in China and Finland, we select the most promising Finnish startup teams and ecosystem partners and bring them to Chengdu, Sichuan—one of China's most advanced and dynamic cities.
Through a process of preliminary remote matchmaking followed by a series of in-person acceleration activities, we facilitate successful collaborations between the Finnish participants and their Chinese counterparts.
Program Aims
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Find partners in production chains, raw materials, human resources, and other areas.
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Build cooperation for piloting and validating prototypes and models.
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Discover China's latest cutting - edge innovations and explore opportunities for collaboration.
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Seek local market partners to establish sales channels for products in China.
Application
Who shall apply
Finnish/European startups, spin-off projects, companies, and organizations with an a vision to build connections and cooperation in China.
Focus sectors:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Biotech and Medtech, Digitalization, Robotics, Intelligent Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Energy and Green Technology, Aerospace, Low-Altitude Economy, Gaming and Digital Entertainment, Advanced Materials
How to apply?
Send a mail to alex@hibiscus.fi to apply or ask any questions about the program
Destination details
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and a strategic gateway to Western China, stands as a premier innovation hub for AI, green tech, and the digital economy. Home to over 22 million people, this “Land of Abundance” delivered a powerhouse economic performance in 2025: its GDP reached RMB 2.47 trillion (USD 358.35 billion), securing the 7th spot among all Chinese cities.
The Chengdu Hi - Tech Industrial Development Zone hosts a dense network of startups, research institutions, and multinational companies, forming a highly dynamic innovation ecosystem fueled by robust government support.
Founder Support Package
Travel & Accommodation
High-quality hotel or serviced accommodation reserved throughout the program
Dedicated transportation for all program activities
Business & Hospitality
Business dinners and networking events
Curated industry visits and partner meetings
Industrial media and public promotion
Support & Services
24/7 co-working space with full equipped facilities
Translation & professional interpretation
IPR & Law and other enterprise support
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