2026-06-23
Shenzhen, China – June 16, 2026 – The launch ceremony of the 2026 AI Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Global Challenge and NeuroHub Accelerator took place at the Shenzhen Brain Science and Technology Industry Innovation Center.
Distinguished academicians, leading neuroscientists, researchers from top universities, representatives from medical institutions and enterprises, global innovation teams, and investment organizations gathered in Shenzhen to witness the official launch of a major global innovation initiative in brain science and brain-computer interface technologies.
Originally initiated during the 2025 Brain Expo by the Shenzhen Brain Science Society, the AI Brain-Computer Interface Competition has been fully upgraded into a global challenge in 2026, aiming to attract world-class talent, breakthrough technologies, and pioneering projects across the brain science and neurotechnology ecosystem.
The competition is jointly organized by the Technology Transfer and Innovation Committee of the Chinese Neuroscience Society, the Shenzhen Brain Science Society, the Shenzhen Brain Science and Brain Engineering Industry Alliance, Shenzhen Angel FOF Management Co., Ltd., and Blue Ocean Capital, manager of the Blue Ocean Intelligent Brain Guangming Seed Venture Fund. The event is further supported by the Institute of Brain Cognition and Brain Disease of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT), the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science and Brain Technology, the Shenzhen Brain Science and Technology Industry Innovation Center, the Shenzhen Major Science and Technology Infrastructure for Brain Analysis and Brain Simulation, and the Guangming Science City Industry Development Group.
The launch ceremony was hosted by Ms. Luo Wanyan, Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Brain Science Society. Mr. Frank Yang, Founding Partner and CEO of Blue Ocean Capital, introduced the competition framework and officially launched NeuroHub Accelerator, a dedicated
incubation and acceleration platform specifically designed for brain science and brain-computer interface innovations.
During the event, Professor Li Chenzhong, Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and Presidential Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), delivered a keynote speech titled "Innovative Ultrasound Printing Platform for Brain-Computer Interface Manufacturing."
Ms. Chen Xianmei, Second-Level Research Fellow of the Frontier Technology Division of the Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, and Mr. Xu Xiangdong, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Angel FOF, also delivered remarks congratulating the successful launch of the competition and the NeuroHub Accelerator. They encouraged all organizers and supporting institutions to leverage their collective strengths, foster technology commercialization, accelerate entrepreneurial growth, and facilitate industrial implementation.
The 2026 AI Brain-Computer Interface Global Challenge is now open to innovators worldwide and features four core competition tracks covering the entire BCI industry value chain:
· Upstream key technologies for brain-computer interfaces, including electrode materials, sensors, chips, and AI algorithms;
· Non-invasive BCI technologies and consumer applications;
· Invasive and semi-invasive medical applications;
· Breakthrough neurobiological technologies based on novel targets and mechanisms.
The competition spans both upstream and downstream segments of the BCI ecosystem. It focuses not only on fundamental technological breakthroughs but also on practical applications in consumer and clinical healthcare scenarios. The challenge aims to establish an international platform for technology showcase, collaboration, commercialization, and investment opportunities for innovation teams at various stages of development.
Through an integrated industry service model of Global Selection – Deep Incubation – Investment Empowerment – Resource Implementation, the initiative seeks to identify high-potential projects and teams, provide comprehensive support through NeuroHub Accelerator, offer dedicated investment funding, and mobilize scientific, clinical, and industrial resources to accelerate commercialization and market adoption.
NeuroHub Accelerator is a dedicated incubation and acceleration platform under Blue Ocean Capital's incubation ecosystem, specifically established for the brain science and brain-computer interface (BCI) sector. It also serves as the core empowerment platform of the 2026 AI Brain-Computer Interface Global Challenge.
Unlike general-purpose incubators, NeuroHub Accelerator is specifically designed to address the unique characteristics of the BCI industry, including its interdisciplinary integration of medicine and engineering, high technological barriers, and long commercialization cycles. Supported by the Blue Ocean Intelligent Brain Seed Fund, the platform has built an integrated ecosystem that combines incubation, acceleration, and investment to accelerate innovation in brain science and brain-computer interface technologies.
As a strategic partner of the 2026 AI Brain-Computer Interface Global Challenge, NeuroHub Accelerator works closely with the competition to provide participating research teams and startups with a dedicated acceleration pathway. The platform offers pre-competition training, deep incubation for selected teams, scientific and clinical support, industrial partnerships, capital enablement, and commercialization assistance, fully supporting the translation of cutting-edge technologies into real-world applications and industrial development.
I. Tiered Incubation Services: Accompanying Teams Throughout Their Growth Journey
For global innovation teams participating in the competition, NeuroHub Accelerator provides a staged incubation framework that supports projects throughout their entire development lifecycle.
Pre-Competition Boot Camp
All shortlisted teams will participate in a two-day intensive training program covering six practical modules, including product positioning, business model design, team building, fundraising strategy, and clinical collaboration planning. The program is designed to help early-stage teams quickly strengthen their operational capabilities, identify key development priorities, and establish clear growth strategies.
Deep Acceleration Program
Teams advancing to the semi-finals will gain access to a six-week structured deep acceleration program. Each team will be supported by a dedicated advisory group consisting of industry experts, experienced investors, clinicians, and commercialization mentors. Through one-on-one guidance, teams will refine their technologies, optimize commercialization pathways, accelerate product iteration, and connect with industrial and clinical resources, significantly strengthening their organizational capabilities and long-term competitiveness.
II. Three Strategic Enablers for Commercialization
Leveraging Blue Ocean Capital's extensive industry experience and ecosystem resources, NeuroHub Accelerator integrates scientific, financial, clinical, and industrial capabilities to address the key challenges facing early-stage BCI ventures.
World-Class Research Infrastructure
The platform collaborates closely with leading scientific institutions, including the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science and Brain Technology, and the Shenzhen Major Science and Technology Infrastructure for Brain Analysis and Brain Simulation. Participating teams gain access to advanced experimental facilities, state-of-the-art laboratories, and collaborative research opportunities, helping overcome the limitations of early-stage R&D resources and enabling continuous technological breakthroughs.
Capital Support for Sustainable Growth
Blue Ocean Capital has established a dedicated investment fund for the competition and adopts an efficient SAFE investment mechanism to streamline processes and accelerate investment decisions. Outstanding projects selected through the competition will receive staged direct investment opportunities. In addition, the platform works closely with Shenzhen Angel FOF and more than 100 investment institutions across China to facilitate subsequent financing rounds and establish long-term capital support for high-tech ventures.
Clinical and Industrial Integration to Accelerate Commercialization
The true value of brain-computer interface technologies lies in their clinical and real-world applications. NeuroHub Accelerator has established fast-track collaboration channels with leading hospitals, enabling clinical experts to participate in the innovation process from an early stage and ensuring technologies are aligned with real healthcare needs. At the same time, the platform connects startups with upstream and downstream industry partners to facilitate supply chain integration, pilot deployments, and market expansion, significantly shortening the pathway from scientific discovery to commercial application.
Frank Yang, Founding Partner and CEO of Blue Ocean Capital, commented:
"Brain-computer interface technology sits at the intersection of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and bioengineering, and represents one of the most strategic technology frontiers of the coming decade. While China possesses world-class scientific talent and strong technological foundations in this field, many early-stage teams still face challenges in technology commercialization, business model development, and clinical translation.
Our vision extends beyond traditional venture capital investment. By bringing together scientific, industrial, clinical, and financial resources, we aim to discover outstanding projects through this competition, nurture them through the NeuroHub Accelerator platform, and support their growth through direct investment and long-term partnership. This launch marks the beginning of a collaborative journey to build a complete innovation ecosystem where groundbreaking technologies can successfully move from laboratories to real-world applications and contribute to the high-quality development of China's brain science and brain-computer interface industry."
· Launch Ceremony: June 16, 2026
· Global Project Recruitment: June 16 – July 4, 2026
· Initial Screening: July 5 – 7, 2026
· Boot Camp and Orientation: July 11 – 12, 2026
· Online Preliminary Competition: July 22 – 23, 2026
· Shenzhen Challenge Competition: July 31, 2026
· Deep Acceleration Program: August 1 – September 11, 2026
· Grand Final: September 12, 2026
If you have a cutting-edge prototype or an early-stage project in brain science or brain-computer interfaces, we warmly welcome your participation.
Entrepreneurial Teams (Pre-incorporation)
· Published breakthrough research achievements or a product demo/MVP;
· Intention to establish a company within six months after the competition.
Startups (Registered Companies)
· Incorporated for no more than three years;
· Most recent funding round not exceeding RMB 30 million.
For competition participation, incubation opportunities, and partnership inquiries:
Sunny Ma
Blue Ocean Capital
Phone: +86 185 6564 3397
Email: bp@bocggp.com
