Explore
Find a real, specific problem worth pursuing.
- A precise problem and the people affected
- At least five substantive interviews or observations
- An opportunity map and next-experiment plan
YOUTH INNOVATION · SHENZHEN / GLOBAL
MAKE IDEAS
ENTER
REALITY.
Start with problems, prototypes, and evidence - then find the next step for your idea.
01 / THE JOURNEY
Not a competition.
A journey of growth.
A staged support model organised around CIE Explore, Build, Launch, and Grow - with clear entry points, resources, and evidence.
EXPLOREExplore
Find a real, specific problem worth pursuing.
Enter this stage ↗BUILDBuild
Form a multidisciplinary team and make a testable prototype.
Enter this stage ↗LAUNCHLaunch
Test the venture with real users, pilots, and markets.
Enter this stage ↗GROWGrow
Connect industry, talent, and capital to build a lasting venture.
Enter this stage ↗02 / FIND YOUR STAGE
What do you
need now?
Build
Form a multidisciplinary team and make a testable prototype.
- A testable prototype
- Critical assumptions and experiment metrics
- User-test records and iteration decisions
Launch
Test the venture with real users, pilots, and markets.
- Real-user or pilot results
- A judgement on value, delivery, and sustainability
- A resourcing and growth plan for the next stage
Grow
Connect industry, talent, and capital to build a lasting venture.
- Repeatable delivery and organisational systems
- A clear growth-risk and resource plan
- Long-term impact measures and governance responsibilities
03 / WHAT YOU GET
Community, guidance, and resources.
The strongest university incubators sustain relationships, feedback, and conditions for action - not just a programme slogan.
Community
Multidisciplinary collaborators, peer teams, open events, and shared working space.
Guidance
Mentors, expert office hours, workshops, and milestone feedback.
Resources
Support for research, prototypes, pilots, partner connections, and early experiments.
OUR BELIEF
Young people do not lack ideas.
They need the first place
where ideas can
enter reality.
04 / THE ECOSYSTEM
One centre.
Six support relationships.
CIE does not try to do everything alone. It connects young innovators, mentors, universities, laboratories, industry, and cities.
Young innovators
Owners and agents of the work.
Mentors and experts
Experience, feedback, and judgement.
Universities and labs
Knowledge, talent, and technology.
Industry
Real problems and pilot settings.
Cities and communities
Innovation grounded in public life.
Alumni and capital
Long-term growth and resource connections.
WHAT WILL YOU
MAKE REAL?
The first programmes are in preparation. Choose the stage closest to you and tell us about the problem you are solving.
Start your interest form ↗