Judging whether a tech exhibition is worth participating in hinges not on how many tracks it lists, but on its comprehensiveness, whether enterprises from different verticals can find relevant fit‑points, and what connections participants can actually build. Covering Artificial Intelligence, Future Mobility & Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Industry 4.0, Life Sciences & Health, and Startup & Innovation Ecosystem, Hongqiao Tech Week may appear to follow conventional tech‑sector categorisation. Beneath this lies a clear‑cut approach: instead of focusing on one single vertical, it functions as an international comprehensive tech festival that brings hard‑tech, advanced manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals and new‑energy industries onto one shared platform to facilitate cross‑sector client discovery.

Guided by the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Hongqiao International Central Business District Administrative Committee, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, Hongqiao Tech Week is hosted by Informa Group. As part of Informa’s Global Tech Festival portfolio alongside London Tech Week, it inherently grants access to global‑scale resources. Scheduled for 20‑22 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the show will occupy over 50 000 sq.m of exhibition floor‑space and target more than 30 000 professional visitors. It adopts a hybrid layout of themed stages and exhibition zones, supplemented by off‑site city‑wide activities including industry site visits, enterprise open‑days and invitation‑only closed‑door galas. For exhibitors, it is critical to understand what each of the six tracks delivers and what value they bring to participants. Each track is detailed below.

Artificial Intelligence: Bridging Model‑level Innovation to Real‑world Deployment Within One Venue

Hongqiao Tech Week’s Artificial Intelligence track unites algorithm‑model developers, development platforms, platform software, AI Agents, AI‑enabled application hardware & robotics, AI supporting services & ecosystem partners, alongside AI governance and data‑compliance stakeholders within one content value chain. Rather than treating AI as a superficial label, the track enables foundational‑model builders and vertical‑use‑case application developers to connect under the same exhibition roof.

For large‑model vendors, the concurrent AI Forum centres on large‑model industrial adoption and vertical‑sector applications. Agenda topics span technology & product development, real‑world deployment, business‑model transformation, investment, governance and data stewardship, going beyond pure technical discussion to address practical industry implementation. For AI‑application and smart‑hardware exhibitors, the audience pool is dominated by technical specialists, engineers and enterprise‑level decision‑makers. Hands‑on, verifiable on‑site demonstrations outperform slide‑deck‑only presentations in driving engagement. To maximise show‑floor impact, enterprises should clarify which industry scenarios their AI products aim to validate before attending.

Confirmed speakers for the AI Forum include Shen Yong, Co‑Chair of CSA Shanghai Chapter; Alvaro Garrido, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Information Officer of Standard Chartered Bank; and JPMorgan Chase’s Global Head of AI and Data Policy, among others.

Future Mobility & Energy: Physical Hardware as the Core Communication Medium

This track prioritises tangible, demonstrable hardware. Smart‑transportation devices, autonomous‑driving systems, on‑board intelligent terminals, energy‑storage systems, power batteries, hydrogen‑energy equipment, connected‑vehicle solutions, low‑altitude‑economy infrastructure and drones are showcased via full‑scale vehicle and hardware physical displays. OEMs, energy‑storage, battery, hydrogen‑energy, eVTOL and connected‑vehicle vendors gain opportunities to showcase complete vehicles or core components rather than relying solely on presentation decks.

The dedicated Future Mobility & Energy Forum targets vehicle OEMs and energy‑sector investors, covering autonomous driving, vehicle‑road coordination, eVTOL, hydrogen‑energy storage and carbon management, linking hardware demonstrations directly to business negotiations. For enterprises pursuing supply‑chain entry, the one‑on‑one business‑matching sessions deliver tangible, sample‑oriented deal‑making opportunities superior to those offered by conventional trade‑shows.

Confirmed speakers for the Future Mobility & Energy Forum include Huang Jun, Vice President of Pony.ai, and Li Jingjing, General Manager of New‑Energy Product Line at Goldpower Electric.

Digital Infrastructure: Giving Invisible Foundational Technologies a Visible Stage

Chips, computing power, cloud platforms and cybersecurity — foundational capabilities that are often difficult to communicate effectively at exhibitions. The Digital Infrastructure track consolidates AI chips, AI servers, storage hardware, data centres, cloud computing, cybersecurity, quantum computing, 5G/6G, fibre‑optic broadband and blockchain technologies. It is complemented by the Digital Infrastructure Forum covering optoelectronics, semiconductors & chips, quantum computing, fibre‑optic communications, data centres, cloud computing, cybersecurity and 6G.

For semiconductor, computing‑power, cloud and cybersecurity firms, Hongqiao Tech Week delivers more than a pure technology showcase. It enables side‑by‑side performance‑driven demonstrations, while forum sessions build professional credibility. Given the attendance of government‑enterprise digital‑procurement decision‑makers, this track translates abstract foundational‑technology narratives into clear business value propositions for prospective buyers.

Confirmed speakers for the Digital Infrastructure Forum include Mantas Mazeikis, Chief Information Security Officer of HELM AG; Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, CEO of Tototheo Global; Hong Chengyi, Chairman of CSDA; and Rocky Scopelliti, Futurist at University of Technology Sydney Business School.

Industry 4.0: Enabling Manufacturing Decision‑makers to Witness Proven Deployable Solutions

The Industry 4.0 track connects manufacturing‑digital‑transformation decision‑makers with industrial‑technology solution providers. Enterprise‑grade industrial management software, industrial & humanoid robots, human‑machine collaboration, smart‑manufacturing systems, big‑data analytics, digital twins, industrial IoT and 3D‑printing technologies are featured. The core challenge lies not in showcasing industry trends, but in proving real‑world implementability.

Hongqiao Tech Week delivers closed‑loop on‑site demonstrations of production‑line workflows, robotics and digital‑twin simulations, alongside the Industry 4.0 Forum addressing industrial IoT, human‑machine collaboration, big‑data analytics, digital twins, autonomous robotics and smart‑manufacturing. Discrete‑manufacturing, process‑manufacturing and SME manufacturers, as well as system integrators and automation‑engineering firms, gain direct access to decision‑makers with genuine procurement requirements. Hosted within the Yangtze River Delta, a hub for advanced‑manufacturing and automotive supply chains, the event benefits from strong inherent industrial‑cluster advantages.

Confirmed speakers for the Industry 4.0 Forum include Geng Feng, Chief Information Officer of CIMC Qingdao; Gao Zhitao, Founder of IndustrialMind.ai; Deng Yan, Executive Dean of Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute; and Gong Yong, Asia‑Pacific Chief Information Officer of Arkema Group.

Life Sciences & Health: Bringing Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies and Investors onto One Common Platform

Biotechnology, cell‑and‑gene therapy, AI‑powered diagnostics, digital therapeutics, smart‑hospital & internet‑hospital systems, AI‑driven drug discovery and high‑end medical‑device innovations form the Life Sciences & Health track. Targeting hospitals, pharma enterprises and investment stakeholders, this vertical demands high‑level domain expertise that static exhibition panels alone cannot adequately convey.

Hongqiao Tech Week adopts a dual‑model approach: exhibition booths for product demonstrations, and forum sessions to build professional credibility. The Life Sciences & Health Forum covers biotechnology, cell‑and‑gene therapies, digital therapeutics, AI‑assisted diagnostics, multi‑omics and brain‑computer interfaces, delivering a dedicated industry stage for medical‑device and digital‑health innovators. Paired with one‑on‑one business matchmaking, it translates clinical‑sector and procurement‑oriented conversations into actionable commercial outcomes for teams seeking hospital, pharma or investment‑partner collaboration.

Confirmed speakers for the Life Sciences & Health Forum include Zhu Yuchao, General Manager of Hanxin Biotech; Lai Caida, Founder of Mediarithmics; Shen Qiancheng, Co‑founder of UDAO Biotech; Gao Jianxiong, Vice‑President of Aikang Group Zhihui Kangyun Platform; and Yang Bin, Vice‑Chair of ISPE China Digital & AI Practice Community.

Startup & Innovation Ecosystem: Connecting Founders, Investors and Strategic Buyers at the Same Table

The Startup & Innovation Ecosystem track is purpose‑built for early‑stage ventures. Covering startup case‑studies, investment, M&A, growth‑strategy frameworks, scaling‑up pathways and founder‑leadership topics, it provides dedicated startup booth zones together with the Startup & Innovation Ecosystem Forum, uniting founders, investment institutions and strategic corporate buyers.

Eligible early‑stage ventures (general criteria: seed‑round financing below RMB 80 million or equivalent local currency, fewer than 50 employees, and operational history no longer than five years; final eligibility subject to official‑organiser validation) gain access to cost‑effective startup‑booth packages. Maximum value is unlocked when combined with one‑on‑one business‑matching sessions to convert on‑site dialogues into investee‑lead and customer‑prospect pipelines for follow‑up.

Confirmed speakers for the Startup & Innovation Ecosystem Forum include Yang Weiwu, Founder of Yunyue Capital; Liu Shuchun, Founder & CEO of Shanghai Kunyan Intelligence Technology; and Chen Jun, Founder & CEO of Real‑Time Capital.

Beyond the Six Tracks: The Comprehensive‑event Underpinning of Hongqiao Tech Week

Hongqiao Tech Week consistently emphasises its “comprehensive‑event” positioning. Alongside hard‑tech, advanced‑manufacturing, biopharmaceutical and new‑energy verticals, its exhibition scope also includes consumer‑technology categories (smart home, smart wearables, e‑sports hardware, consumer electronics) and technology‑services segments (intellectual‑property, technical consulting, tech‑finance, open‑source communities and standards bodies). Cross‑border and cross‑vertical networking differentiates it from purely single‑vertical‑focused trade‑shows.

More importantly, Hongqiao Tech Week extends beyond a physical exhibition. As part of Informa’s Global Tech Festival alongside London Tech Week, Africa Tech Festival and ATxEnterprise Singapore, it unlocks cross‑border global‑resource interoperability, expanding exhibitors’ reach far beyond on‑site event‑day audiences. Prior to participation, enterprises are advised to identify their primary track, then liaise with organisers regarding booth allocation, forum‑participation slots and business‑matching quotas.

FAQ

Q: Why group all six tracks within one single event? A: Positioned as an international comprehensive tech festival, Hongqiao Tech Week consolidates hard‑tech, advanced‑manufacturing, biopharmaceutical and new‑energy sectors on one unified platform. It enables cross‑vertical business discovery while sharing a global IP and matchmaking resources, rather than catering exclusively to one industry segment.

Q: My company spans multiple verticals. How should I position my participation? A: Adopt a “primary track + secondary‑track extension” strategy. Secure a booth under your primary track for core‑product showcasing, and leverage forums and one‑on‑one‑matching sessions across supplementary verticals. Participation is not limited to one single track.

Q: What are the eligibility criteria for startup‑booth applications? A: General criteria: seed‑round financing below RMB 80 million or equivalent local currency, fewer than 50 employees, and operational history no longer than five years. Final application standards are subject to official‑organiser confirmation.

Q: What is the core value proposition for exhibitors across all tracks? A: Hongqiao Tech Week integrates physical demonstrations, industry‑focused forums, one‑on‑one business matchmaking and global‑IP resources. Exhibitors gain visibility amongst professional buyers while converting on‑site interest into actionable follow‑up opportunities.

For exhibition‑registration enquiries and detailed track‑programme information, please visit the official website: https://www.hongqiaotechweek.com/