AI, robotics and semiconductor enterprises frequently encounter a practical bottleneck: their technologies are validated and prototypes ready, yet selling products to factories, automotive OEMs and industrial parks across the Yangtze River Delta remains challenging. Prospective clients are spread across dozens of cities and hundreds of supply chains. Online campaigns struggle to reach procurement decision-makers, while individual on-site visits carry exorbitant costs. For these companies, valuable exhibition participation is not mere attendance for exposure. It is a chance to convene Yangtze River Delta industrial decision-makers, supply chain partners and industrial investors within one venue.

Hongqiao Tech Week is the China-based international tech festival built on the homologous IP of London Tech Week, part of Informa’s global tech event portfolio. Guided by the Management Committee of Hongqiao International Central Business District, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, it is hosted by Informa Markets. Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center serves as the strategic innovation partner and GEC as another strategic partner. The event will run from 20 to 22 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). For AI, robotics and semiconductor companies seeking access to the Yangtze River Delta industrial ecosystem, it offers an all-in-one platform for technology demonstrations, C-level dialogues and business matchmaking within a single business trip.

I. Why the Yangtze River Delta is a critical market for these enterprises

The Yangtze River Delta hosts one of China’s most concentrated clusters of advanced manufacturing and new energy vehicle industries, with Hongqiao functioning as the pivotal hub connecting this vast industrial hinterland. According to public data, Hongqiao is home to over 7,000 digital economy enterprises, more than 3,600 automotive supply chain firms and over 1,000 new energy companies. These three sectors perfectly align with downstream buyers for AI algorithm deployment, robot integration and semiconductor components. For developers of industrial AI or automotive-grade chips, there is no need to travel city by city. Over three exhibition days, you can connect with a concentrated pool of potential customers.

Disclaimer: These enterprise statistics are public regional industry figures, for reference of regional industrial density only and do not constitute commitments for the exhibition itself. Final statistical scope will follow official announcements.

II. Relevant tracks among the six industry verticals

Hongqiao Tech Week covers six technology tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Future Mobility & Energy, Smart Infrastructure, Smart Industry, Life Sciences & Health, and Startup Ecosystem. Four tracks are most relevant to AI, robotics and semiconductor players:

These four tracks are closely interconnected: chips and computing power form the foundational layer (Smart Infrastructure); industrial software and robotics sit in the middle layer (Smart Industry); automotive and energy use cases make up the application layer (Future Mobility & Energy), with AI running through the entire value chain. For exhibitors, modules demonstrated at your booth may directly appear on the procurement lists of neighbouring exhibitors. This embodies the “chain-based investment promotion” logic of Yangtze River Delta manufacturing: placing upstream and downstream partners within walking distance to slash connection costs.

III. Meet genuine decision-makers at concurrent forums

Dedicated concurrent forums are arranged alongside the six tracks, with part of the speaker roster confirmed. Speakers highly relevant to AI, robotics and semiconductor enterprises include:

Global futurist and Adjunct Professor at University of Technology Sydney Business School, Rocky Scopelliti, will also attend and deliver forward-looking analysis on the intersection of demographic shifts and emerging technologies.

The speaker lineup is subject to final official release. The core value lies in the organisations these speakers represent — established industrial groups, automotive OEMs, cybersecurity institutions and investment funds. It means the contacts you meet during forum breaks may be exactly the procurement or partnership decision-makers you have spent months seeking.

IV. Business Matchmaking: schedule meetings with your target contacts

As planned, Hongqiao Tech Week will occupy over 50,000 sqm of exhibition space, hosting 400+ exhibitors and 30,000+ professional visitors, with 2,000 scheduled one-to-one business meetings supported by targeted matchmaking and buyer invitation programmes. For AI, robotics and semiconductor firms, this mechanism eliminates random business-card swapping across the exhibition hall. Before the event, you submit ideal buyer profiles (industry, job role, procurement intent), and the system arranges meetings between matching decision-makers from both sides.

Visitor and exhibitor numbers are projected estimates prior to execution. Final statistical scope will follow official announcements. Meeting volume is a planned arrangement and does not guarantee secured business outcomes.

V. Connecting into the industrial ecosystem: from booth display to supply chain partnership

Hongqiao Tech Week highlights physical equipment and real vehicle demos, accompanied by industrial site tours, public tech experience activities and cross-industry forum dinners. For robotics, industrial equipment and automotive module teams, your prototype is not merely displayed for photos. It can be powered up, deployed within simulated production line scenarios and validated during industrial site visits — this is the critical final step to turn demos into contracts.

Entering the Yangtze River Delta industrial ecosystem requires three layers of action, and a single keynote speech alone is insufficient. First, deploy booth space to showcase tangible prototypes for manufacturing and automotive clients to test in person. Second, secure speaking slots at forums such as Smart Industry and Future Mobility to join C-level conversations and embed your technical solutions into clients’ production lines or vehicle roadmaps. Third, leverage the Startup Ecosystem Forum to engage industrial capital and strategic buyers, securing funding and orders for scaling. Hongqiao Tech Week consolidates these three pillars in one venue and reduces overhead for enterprises juggling multiple separate events.

VI. Three key preparations for AI, robotics and semiconductor teams before exhibiting

We recommend approaching the event with a clear checklist rather than casual attendance:

  1. Clarify your target segment within the industrial chain — automotive-grade chips, industrial software or robot integration — to match against relevant tracks and zones.
  2. Prepare a demonstrable prototype or minimum viable product; live demos are far more persuasive than slide decks.
  3. Shortlist 5–10 target buyers and 2–3 prospective investors, and submit matchmaking requests via the official website in advance.

Discussions over booths and speaking opportunities become far more efficient once these materials are ready.

VII. Align your exhibiting strategy by mapping products to track categories

Mapping your offerings to the six-track product classification simplifies your exhibition planning:

Once your track is confirmed, select a booth in the corresponding zone, apply for speaking slots at the matching forum, and submit buyer profiles for matchmaking based on that track. This approach aligns exhibition, speaking and business engagement, preventing disconnect between booth and forum activities and enabling your sales team with consistent messaging on-site.

Steering and hosting structure: why it can mobilise Yangtze River Delta industrial resources

Guided by the Management Committee of Hongqiao International Central Business District, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, hosted by Informa Markets, with Shanghai Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Center as strategic innovation partner and GEC as another strategic partner. Host Informa Markets is also a UFI member. This governance framework underpins Hongqiao Tech Week’s capacity to integrate Yangtze River Delta industrial resources and global tech networks.

Objective disclaimer: Hongqiao Tech Week leverages the well-established London Tech Week brand. London Tech Week 2025 attracted 37 government partner organisations and 26 country pavilions, brought in over 120 international trade delegations, announced investment deals exceeding £100 million, and delivered 9.49 billion media impressions. Its sister events also demonstrate strong track records: Singapore ATxEnterprise welcomed more than 1,200 VIPs and 22,000 global corporate decision-makers; Africa Tech Festival 2025 generated media value of USD 40 million. These figures reflect past performance of sister events and do not represent projections for Hongqiao Tech Week itself.

Next step: starting discussions on booths and speaking slots

If you are evaluating pathways to enter the Yangtze River Delta industrial ecosystem in 2026, we recommend first defining your target industrial chain segments and demo prototypes. You may access sponsorship materials via the official website hongqiaotechweek.com, or contact the sponsorship team to confirm booth packages, speaking slots and business matchmaking arrangements: Charlie Andrews for international enquiries, Jack Li / Niki Zeng for domestic enquiries. For media partnerships, please reach Fiona Shao.

FAQ: Track Selection, Speaking Applications & Business Matchmaking

Q: Which track is best suited for industrial AI or humanoid robot solutions? A: Companies offering industrial software, human-machine collaboration or robotics should prioritise the Smart Industry track. Those focusing on computing power, chips or data centres belong to Smart Infrastructure. Firms developing automotive-grade products or energy modules should join Future Mobility & Energy. Extensive cross-track procurement opportunities exist, and a single event badge grants access across all tracks.

Q: Are forum speaking opportunities effective for lead generation? A: Yes. Confirmed speakers represent automotive OEMs, energy enterprises, manufacturing groups and investment institutions. Forums are where decision-makers converge. Presenting your real-world use cases on stage is a more proactive approach than passively waiting for visitors at your booth. For speaking submission, contact Nancy Cui.

Q: How to get involved in business matchmaking in advance? A: The event plans for 2,000 scheduled one-to-one business meetings, supported by targeted matchmaking and buyer invitation programmes. Enterprises can submit ideal buyer profiles via the official website pre-show, and the system will schedule meetings for both parties. Visitor and exhibitor numbers are projected estimates, subject to official release.

Q: What criteria apply for startup booth applications? A: The Startup Ecosystem Forum and startup booth zone connect founders, investors and strategic buyers. Eligibility requirements (funding stage, team size etc.) follow the latest official announcements. Contact the sponsorship team for details.