Building Bridges Between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries
9 Greater Bay Area Cities
2 Special Administrative Regions
9 Portuguese-Speaking Countries
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Building bridges between China and Portuguese speaking countries
What is the 929 Challenge?
The 929 Challenge is a startup competition that builds bridges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Since 2021, it has connected entrepreneurs, investors, and institutions across the Greater Bay Area, Macau, and Lusophone markets.
The program is managed by the Association for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Macau — China and Portuguese Speaking Countries (AEIMCP) and co-organised annually by the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macau) and the Sino Lusophone Association for Sustainability, with financial support from the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) through the Industrial and Commercial Development Fund.
How it works:
Every year, startups and university teams from Portuguese-speaking countries, Macau, and the Greater Bay Area join a two-week Bootcamp to gain market insights, refine their pitches, and connect with mentors. The top 16 finalists travel to Macau for an intensive Soft Landing Program — visiting innovation hubs in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou — before pitching at the Finals to a panel of investors and industry experts.
The 929 Challenge operates across two categories: Startups (companies seeking cross-border expansion) and Universities (students and researchers developing entrepreneurial skills).
The 929 Summit:
Launched in 2025, the 929 Summit brings together founders, mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a day of keynotes, fireside chats, exhibition showcases, and one-to-one meetings — reinforcing Macau's role as a platform for East-West innovation cooperation.
Our Mission:
• Disseminate knowledge about business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and Portuguese-speaking countries.
• Develop networking and collaboration between entrepreneurship ecosystems worldwide.
• Identify startups with potential to scale through Macau's platform between China and Lusophone markets.
Our mission:
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Disseminate knowledge about business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and Portuguese-speaking countries.
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Develop networking and collaboration between entrepreneurship ecosystems worldwide.
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Identify startups with potential to scale through Macau's platform between China and Lusophone markets.
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People's Republic of China
Macao, SAR
Hong Kong, SAR
Angola
Brazil
Cape Verde
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Mozambique
Portugal
Sao Tome & Principe
Timor Leste
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Worldwide Customers Feedback
Since 1989
Team Registration
Register at 929challenge.org
After registration, you will be added to our WhatsApp and WeChat group.
Bootcamp
Online Bootcamp
Teams will participate in a 2-week online bootcamp from 7pm-9pm to get insights on the business opportunities between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Refine your pitch deck
Mentoring online from industry and academic experts. Mentors will provide guidance and feedback to teams.
Pitch Submission
Pitch Deck
Teams will submit a pitch deck that promotes sustainability and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Submission
Submit your PowerPoint and 10 minute video presentation of your project.
Finalist Announced
Judging
The best projects will be shortlisted for the finals according to the scores from judges.
Announcement of Finalists
Preparation for travel arrangements to Macau
929 Summit
One day event
Talks, fire chats, one to one meetings, master classes and booths.
929 Finals
Presentation to judges
Selected finalists will pitch on stage to judges with travel expenses and accommodation covered.
Truly great experience
Truly a great experience for startups that don't have much experience and can gain more experience in networking and pitching events.Read More
Pedro Batista
Truly great experience
Truly a great experience for startups that don't have much experience and can gain more experience in networking and pitching events.
Pedro Batista
Reshaping assumptions of Physcolabs
The program not only met our expectations but exceeded them, challenging and reshaping some of our assumptions about the future of Phycola...Read More
Thamires Pontes
Reshaping assumptions of Physcolabs
The program not only met our expectations but exceeded them, challenging and reshaping some of our assumptions about the future of Phycolabs — the level of networking was exceptional, with multiple opportunities to connect with mentors and ecosystem partners, and the exposure to innovation hubs was inspiring and highly relevant for startups looking to scale.
Thamires Pontes
Fantastic opportunity
The 929 Challenge was a fantastic opportunity to test our ideas in a competitive and supportive environment — finishing third was both g...Read More
Raquel Vaz
Fantastic opportunity
The 929 Challenge was a fantastic opportunity to test our ideas in a competitive and supportive environment — finishing third was both gratifying and motivating, encouraging us to take the next steps with even greater ambition.
Raquel Vaz
More than a trophy
It was a high-impact validation of Complear OS as the essential 'Speed to Trust' bridge for China's most ambitious high-tech exporters.Read More
Maria Costeira
More than a trophy
It was a high-impact validation of Complear OS as the essential 'Speed to Trust' bridge for China's most ambitious high-tech exporters.
Maria Costeira
Transformative experience
The 929 Challenge was a transformative experience that validated our approach to building a scalable circular bio-economy between Mozambiq...Read More
Silvia Mathe
Transformative experience
The 929 Challenge was a transformative experience that validated our approach to building a scalable circular bio-economy between Mozambique and China, significantly strengthened our strategic clarity and credibility, and opened doors to valuable partnerships through high-quality mentorship and a strong international growth platform.
Silvia Mathe
Host & Co-Organizer
host & co-organizer
Organizers
organizers
Co-Organizers
co-organizers
Supporting Unit
supporting unit
Seed Partners
seed partners
Media Partners
media partners
Sponsors
sponsors
Ecosystem Partners
ecosystem partners
Sebrae
ACADE
Unicorn factory
MITIC
Supporters
supporters
