China launches LIFT+ program to support young scientists and technology startups
The large-scale documentary project “Leaders in Future Technology+” (LIFT+), dedicated to youth scientific and technological innovation, officially premiered on China Media Group platforms on October 3.
The program will air every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on CCTV-4 and will also be streamed simultaneously on the Yangshipin media platform.
Jointly created by China Media Group, China's Ministry of Education and the Nanjing municipal government, the project brings together resources from industry, universities, research institutions and the investment sector to support young technology teams.
Ahead of its launch, LIFT+ held 15 preliminary selection events in 10 Chinese cities. From around 500 registered companies and innovation teams, 100 groups of young innovators, with an average age of 28, were selected to gather in Nanjing and further develop their projects.
The premiere episode follows 22 teams that successfully passed the preliminary selection. To support them, the program formed a group of “youth innovation ambassadors” made up of scientists, industry experts and executives from leading investment companies.
The project has already attracted substantial investment. Thirty-four participating science and technology companies secured more than 485 million yuan, or about 72.5 million U.S. dollars, in total funding.
According to CCTV+, cooperation between the program and Nanjing has also led to the establishment of 31 new enterprises in the city.
