On September 12, 2025, London took center stage as it hosted the European Regional Finals of the 2025 “Next Star” Global Entrepreneurship Competition with a Million-Dollar Prize. The event brought together world-class innovators, investors, and academic leaders, setting the tone for an inspiring journey toward the global finals later this year in Shenzhen. Over the course of the day, attendees witnessed groundbreaking pitches, valuable networking opportunities, and vibrant discussions on the future of global entrepreneurship.
Distinguished Guests and Opening Remarks
The finals welcomed an esteemed panel of judges and guests, including Fabian Blake, Head of the Shenzhen Nanshan Innovation and Development Promotion Center and Vice President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China; Maxime Hoze, Associate Director at UBS; Yitian Xu, Chief Solutions Architect at Alibaba Cloud; Dr. Chen Yifan of Norwich Business School; Prof. John Finch of the University of Glasgow; Megan Wang, UK Representative of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce; and Prof. Carlos Galera Zarco from University College London, among other notable figures. Their participation highlighted the global nature of the event, which brought together expertise from finance, academia, technology, and government institutions.
In his opening remarks, Fabian Blake extended his gratitude to partners, participants, and attendees. He emphasized Nanshan’s dynamic entrepreneurial environment and its reputation as a hub of innovation. Blake also encouraged entrepreneurs worldwide to seize the opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, inviting them to join Nanshan’s flourishing innovation ecosystem. His words set a collaborative tone for the competition, reminding the audience of the international spirit driving the contest.
Winners of the Regional Finals
Following a highly competitive showcase of ideas, AINOSTICS, a pioneer in AI-powered neuro-diagnostics, claimed the First Prize. Their technology, which leverages artificial intelligence to provide rapid and accurate neurological assessments, impressed the judges with its potential to transform healthcare outcomes.
The Second Prize was awarded jointly to Allye Energy, a smart energy management platform that helps users optimize consumption and reduce waste, and Axiom Therapeutics, a company applying machine learning to accelerate covalent drug discovery and enhance pharmaceutical research. Both ventures demonstrated strong potential to address critical global challenges in energy sustainability and medical advancement.
Third Prize went to three standout ventures: SPIN Analytics, specializing in AI-driven risk modeling to support compliance and financial decision-making; OXVALUE.AI LIMITED, an advanced valuation platform designed to bring transparency to business assessments; and KHOTT BIOTECH, a developer of wearable medical devices aimed at empowering patients to monitor and manage their health more effectively. Each of these teams showcased not only technical expertise but also a clear vision for real-world application.
These six outstanding teams will move on to the Global Finals in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District at the end of 2025. There, they will compete against leading startups from around the world for the prestigious million-dollar grand prize. Beyond recognition, the finalists will benefit from a comprehensive package of support that includes funding opportunities, access to top-tier workspaces, strategic market entry assistance, and dedicated incubation programs. These resources are designed to accelerate their growth both within China and across international markets.
Broader Impact and Networking Opportunities
In addition to the competition itself, the European Finals served as a platform for meaningful dialogue among entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders. Throughout the event, participants engaged in panel discussions covering topics such as the role of AI in reshaping industries, cross-border investment opportunities, and the importance of sustainable innovation in addressing global challenges. Attendees also enjoyed structured networking sessions, creating new partnerships and fostering collaboration across sectors and geographies.
For many early-stage startups, the event was not only a chance to compete but also an opportunity to gain visibility among global investors and industry mentors. Several participants noted that the mentorship provided by judges and guest experts offered insights that could shape their companies’ strategies in the months ahead.
A Milestone for the Global Competition
As the first international chapter of the 2025 “Next Star” series, the European Finals successfully laid the groundwork for the upcoming contests. The event underscored the competition’s mission: to connect global innovators and build bridges between regions while identifying breakthrough technologies that can address pressing global issues.
Next, the spotlight will shift to Silicon Valley for the North American Finals, followed by the Asia-Pacific Finals in Singapore. Each regional event is carefully designed to highlight cutting-edge ideas, showcase entrepreneurial resilience, and build momentum toward the grand finale in Shenzhen. Together, these contests are shaping a truly global stage for the future of innovation.
The London event not only celebrated entrepreneurial talent but also fostered greater collaboration across technology and business. It underscored the power of international exchange, paving the way for transformative innovations and laying the foundation for the next generation of global leaders in entrepreneurship. With anticipation already building for the upcoming regional finals, the journey of the “Next Star” competition is proving to be as inspiring as it is impactful.
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