Atlas/From introduction to application

From introduction to application

A useful application starts with a fit check and ends with an evidence trail. We keep one company data room, then adapt it to an incubation review, a public funding call, a corporate pilot or an investment process.

Fig. 7 A clear application separates eligibility, evidence and the decision.

The first conversation

We send a one-page introduction in English and Simplified Chinese: company and team, customer problem, product, evidence, current stage, Shanghai presence and the exact resource requested. We ask for the named receiving team and written current terms. A first message should be small enough to forward to the right person.

Suggested subject: Shanghai ecosystem inquiry / project name / incubation, pilot or funding. Suggested request: We are developing [product] for [customer]. Our evidence is [metric or prototype]. We seek [specific resource] during [period]. Please confirm eligibility, intake dates, the application checklist, fees or equity terms, and the responsible contact.

The shared data room

Company: business licence, unified social credit code, articles, cap table, beneficial ownership, bank details, registered and operating addresses, prior public awards and related-party list. Team: founder roles, full-time commitment, relevant education, eligibility evidence and lawful work status where required.

For international founders and overseas returnees, Shanghai publishes dedicated guidance for Foreigner’s Work Permit (Category A/B) applications during the startup phase, Overseas Talent Residence Permits, and the 2026 Regulations Encouraging Overseas Returnees to Work and Start Businesses in Shanghai. Confirm host-park endorsement and immigration requirements separately from grant eligibility.

Technology: product note, demo, evaluation, IP ownership and licences, patent and software records, data rights, security controls and sector approvals where applicable. Commercial: pilot evidence, customer references, pricing, procurement path and unit economics. Finance: management accounts, annual audit where required, R&D ledger, contracts, invoices and payment evidence.

Four different decisions

Incubation: fit inquiry, application pack, technical or commercial review, written service and space terms, admission and onboarding. Confirm workspace rent, service fee, compute price, access restrictions, IP and any investment rights before signing.

Public grant or reimbursement: current notice, eligibility check, platform account, legal-entity authorization, evidence submission, district or host review, expert review, award or contract, reporting, acceptance and payment. This sequence is a general guide; the linked notice governs the actual workflow.

Corporate pilot: business owner, problem definition, data and IP agreement, scoped pilot, procurement and legal review, acceptance, production decision. Investment: manager fit, deck, meeting, diligence, term sheet, investment committee, definitive agreements and closing. Neither begins with a guaranteed outcome.

An accelerator’s four-week field program

Week 1: shortlist two districts, one research partner and two operators using sector fit and written eligibility. Week 2: meet the operator and a plausible buyer; inspect facilities. Week 3: define one pilot and a costed evidence plan. Week 4: submit the relevant application or investment pack and record the next decision date. This is an editorial planning model, not an official service promise.

We maintain an application ledger with owner, authority, policy version, evidence period, deadline in China Standard Time, submission receipt, duplicate-funding exclusions, reporting duty and next action. A calendar alert is useful only after the correct deadline and timezone have been confirmed.

Evidence S142. Guide for foreign talent and team members (Category A/B) applying for a Foreigner’s Work Permit during the startup phase_Latest.

Evidence S080. 上海市人民政府关于印发《鼓励留学人员来上海工作和创业的若干规定》的通知.