The semi-final of the 2017 Chongqing International Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was held in the United States' Silicon Valley on Aug 16.

The competition, hosted by Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, has been organized as part of an activity series accompanying the 2017 Chongqing International Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference.

Some 16 teams from the US and Canada took park in the competition, showcasing their skills with projects in the fields of digital information, healthcare, biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, new materials, energy conservation and environmental protection

Five teams stood out from the rest of the competition after rounds of presentations and project demonstrations. Judges, including businessman Zheng Youlyu and Tao Yong, co-founder of the Yun Stone Fund, scored each project based on team presentation, technology level, expansion capabilities and industrial orientation.

Zheng Hang, deputy director of the Liangjiang New Area's Free Trade Zone Office, said that the competition is aimed to provide a platform for competitors to exchange and communicate with each other. It is also a good chance for the Liangjiang New Area to attract international talents.

"The Liangjiang New Area, founded in 2010, is China's first nation-level development new area. We welcome all entrepreneurs and startups to visit and seek cooperation with each other," Zheng added.

Zheng Hang, deputy director of the Liangjiang New Area's Free Trade Zone Office, delivers a speech during the competition. [Photo by Liu Dan/chinanews.com]

A competitor presents his project during the competition. [Photo by Liu Dan/chinanews.com]

A competitor answers judges' question concerning his project. [Photo by Liu Dan/chinanews.com]

Edited by Zachary Dye