Hainan-Southeast
Asia AI Hardware Battle
(HNSE AHB)
26 July 2025 | Grand Finale
The HNSE AHB, as the flagship competition of the 2025 Hainan Southeast Lingshui Tech & Art Festival, is dedicated to building a global platform for exchange in smart hardware and AI technologies. Leveraging the policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port and Lingshui’s unique geographical position and vibrant blend of culture and art, the competition focuses on the deep application of smart hardware + AI in both consumer and industrial sectors. It aims to empower innovators and entrepreneurs through comprehensive support in product refinement, capital connection, international exposure, and ecosystem integration. HNSE AHB aims to:
- Provide a platform for innovation exchange and project incubation
- Position Hainan Southeast as the "First Stop for Smart Hardware Going Global"
- Connect international capital, technology, and market resources
- Accelerate the AI-driven transformation of the smart hardware industry
- Discover high-quality projects to integrate into the long-term Hainan Southeast brand ecosystem
HNSE Lingshui Tech & Art Festival
The Hainan Southeast Lingshui Tech & Art Festival will be an innovative journey that combines the charm of technology with the inspiration of art. The event focuses on five major sectors: technology, art, short films, games, and music. It will bring together a selection of top brands, featuring a variety of themed activities, including the music concert, tech exhibitions, art installation performances, ground painting, drone flying shows, forum salons, eSports Festival, and themed markets.
Awards & Incentives
Top 10 Winners from each Region Competition will receive:
Round-trip international airfare and accommodation to participate in the Grand Final in Hainan, China
Access passes to the Hainan-Southeast Lingshui Tech & Art Festival
Exhibition booth in the Hainan-Southeast Lingshui Tech & Art Festival
Media exposure and investor matchmaking opportunities
Grand Finale – Top 10 Finalists:
Will Be Named "HNSE STARs" (Hainan-Southeast Tech AI Rising Stars)
Curated jointly by the Hainan-Southeast Lingshui Tech & Art Festival, Hainan Government, and expert institutions, the HNSE STARs list recognizes the most promising AI-powered smart hardware projects in the region. Selected projects will gain priority access to business landing resources, fundraising opportunities, and international visibility.
Exclusive Benefits for STARs:
- Government support for project localization (consultation, policy access, etc.);
- Showcase opportunity at BEYOND Expo 2026 — one of Asia’s largest tech events;
- Amplified promotion via official channels, partner media, and global innovation communities.
Eligibility Criteria
Product Requirements
- Companies must have independently developed AI-driven hardware products with an initial prototype or mass-production version that demonstrates market application potential.
- The submitted project must focus on one of the following areas: Smart Home, Wearable Devices, Smart Cars, Smart Medical Devices, Smart Cities, Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR), Marine Agriculture Technology, Educational Technology, Robotics, etc.
Company Requirements
- The participating entity must be a legally registered company (registration location is not limited) with a clear business model and sustainable operation capability.
- Cross-border teams, international joint ventures, startups, and scaled enterprises are encouraged to participate.
Pitching Requirements
- All shortlisted teams must present their project during the finals with a 3-minute English pitching and 3-minute Q&A with the judges.
- A pitching deck must be submitted, including product introduction, market plan, and team background etc.
Originality & Compliance
- The project must not infringe any third-party intellectual property and must comply with legal and regulatory standards in terms of technology and business content.
- All entries must be original projects and cannot involve plagiarism or false statements.
Competition Timeline
