Original Title: Notice on the Issuance of the "Policy Guidelines on Accelerating the Development of the Digital Industry in Huangpu District"
I. Purpose and Basis
To thoroughly implement Shanghai’s “3+6” leading industries strategy and comprehensively advance the clustered development of the digital industry in Huangpu District, in accordance with the “Opinions on Comprehensively Advancing Shanghai’s Urban Digital Transformation,” the “Huangpu District 14th Five-Year Plan for Comprehensively Advancing Urban Digital Transformation,”and the “Huangpu District Three-Year Action Plan for Promoting Urban Digital Transformation (2021–2023),” this policy document is formulated to leverage the advantages of Huangpu’s high-end service industry clusters, deepen the integrated application and ecological clustering of the artificial intelligence industry, and develop new sectors such as the metaverse, smart terminals, and data elements.
II. Scope of Application
This policy applies to entities legally registered in the district that possess independent or non-independent legal person status. Relevant entities must align with Huangpu’s industrial priorities, maintain sound business operations, and have no record of serious dishonesty.
III. Supported Areas
Support the clustering of digital industries and foster an industrial innovation ecosystem. Encourage the innovative development of digital enterprises, with a focus on supporting enterprises in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuit design and manufacturing, the metaverse, software and algorithms, quantum computing, next-generation networks, and blockchain.
Support the application of digital technologies to expand digital use cases. Focusing on key sectors such as fintech, commerce and logistics, cultural tourism, information consumption, healthcare, education and training, and urban governance, the policy encourages demonstration projects for applications such as cloud computing, robotics, smart terminals, digital twins, intelligent interaction, and green intelligence.
IV. Support Policies
(1) Supporting Breakthroughs in Core Technologies
1. Support for National and Municipal-Level Projects
For projects awarded the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s AI Industry Innovation Challenge or the Shanghai Special Fund for Promoting High-Quality Industrial Development (in information technology-related fields), district-level matching funds will be provided at a ratio of up to 1:1, with a maximum of 2 million yuan.
2. Encouraging Research and Development of Key Core Technologies
For projects that align with the district’s digital industry development priorities and engage in independent R&D or collaborative industry-academia-research efforts to tackle key technologies in priority fields such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuit design and manufacturing, the metaverse, software and algorithms, quantum computing, next-generation networks, and blockchain, a one-time grant of up to 30% of the total project investment—with a maximum of 2 million yuan—will be provided to projects deemed advanced, innovative, breakthrough, or disruptive following evaluation.
3. Encouraging and Supporting the Development of Industry Standards
A reward of 1 million yuan will be granted for leading the formulation and publication of international standards, and a reward of 300,000 yuan for participating in the formulation and publication of international standards. A reward of 500,000 yuan will be granted for leading the formulation and publication of national standards, and a reward of 150,000 yuan for participating in the formulation and publication of national standards. A reward of 300,000 yuan will be granted for leading the formulation and publication of industry standards or group standards.
(II) Expanding Industrial Innovation Applications
4. Creating Diverse Cross-Sector Application Scenarios
For projects that align with the district’s digital industry development priorities and key sectors, and that create or jointly build demonstration application scenarios; or for projects where enterprises undertake digital transformation or intelligent upgrades that significantly drive cost reduction, efficiency improvement, capacity enhancement, and economic benefits, a one-time grant of up to 30% of the total project investment—not exceeding 3 million yuan—will be provided upon review.
5. Supporting the First-to-Market Launch of Digital Products
For projects that cultivate innovative digital products in line with the district’s digital industry development priorities and key sectors, a one-time grant of up to 30% of the total project investment—capped at 2 million yuan—will be provided following evaluation.
6. Encouraging Data Asset Circulation
Data-driven enterprises are encouraged to leverage their data resource advantages to conduct transactions through the Shanghai Data Exchange. Subsidies will be provided for expenses related to compliance, consulting, and quality assessment incurred during the research, development, production, circulation, service provision, and consumption of data assets. The subsidy will cover 10% of the actual transaction costs, with a maximum of 200,000 yuan.
(3) Stimulating Industry Development Momentum
7. Supporting Enterprises to Grow and Strengthen
Digital enterprises that align with the development orientation of the digital industry and have been incubated and established in this district—whether with independent or non-independent legal person status—will be eligible for a subsidy of up to 1 million yuan upon passing an evaluation. Digital industry enterprises awarded titles such as “Top 100 Shanghai Software and Information Technology Service Enterprises” or “Top 100 High-Growth Shanghai Software and Information Technology Service Enterprises” will receive a one-time reward of 50,000 yuan.
8. Supporting Enterprise Restructuring and Listing
We encourage and guide enterprises within the district—regardless of category, stage, or specific needs—to precisely align with multi-tiered capital markets. For digital enterprises listed domestically or internationally, or listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ), as well as listed digital enterprises that have successfully completed mergers and acquisitions, one-time subsidies of up to 5.5 million yuan will be provided based on type and stage.
9. Fostering the Development of Digital Service Industries
Support the clustering and development of digital industry intermediary service enterprises, including those providing technology brokerage, intellectual property, legal services, technology transfer, tech finance, human resources, and financial and tax services. Recognized digital industry professional service enterprises will receive support equivalent to 1% of their annual revenue, up to a maximum of 1 million yuan.
(IV) Fostering an Industrial Ecosystem
10. Supporting the Development of Industrial Clusters
Encourage the development of industrial platforms (parks, bases, buildings, co-working spaces, and incubators) with a focus on the digital industry. For platform operators where the concentration of enterprises in relevant fields reaches 50%, support will be provided in stages, with a maximum of 1 million yuan.
11. Supporting the Construction of New Digital Infrastructure
Digital industry facilities within the district (parks, bases, buildings, co-working spaces, and incubators) are encouraged to construct green, low-carbon, secure, and controllable intelligent and digital information infrastructure projects. Upon review, a one-time grant of up to 30% of the total project investment will be provided, with a maximum of 2 million yuan.
12. Encouraging Major Competitions and Events
We encourage the hosting of digital industry summits, competitions, forums, exhibitions, and other events with global or national influence in Huangpu. Upon review, a one-time subsidy of up to 30% of the total investment for a single event will be provided, with a maximum of 500,000 yuan. The total annual subsidy received by a single entity under this provision shall not exceed 1 million yuan.
V. Funding Sources
The support funds covered by this policy shall be allocated from the district-level fiscal budget.
VI. Use of Funds
1. In principle, the support funds under this policy shall be disbursed on a post-event reimbursement basis.
2. Where there is overlap with support provided by other special funds at the national, municipal, or district levels, support shall be provided according to the principle of “selecting the most favorable option and avoiding duplication.”
3. The District Science and Technology Commission is responsible for formulating the annual support plan and determining the annual allocation priorities and key support areas in accordance with the policy provisions.
VII. Application Submission
1. Each year, the District Science and Technology Commission shall formulate and issue project application notices and guidelines based on Huangpu District’s industrial development plans and policy directions, specifying application requirements, deadlines, and submission locations. Applicants shall submit project application materials in accordance with the requirements of the annual application notice and guidelines. Applicants are responsible for the authenticity of the submitted materials.
2. The District Science and Technology Commission coordinates all aspects of project lifecycle management. An evaluation panel will be formed, comprising representatives from the District Science and Technology Commission, the District Development and Reform Commission, the District Commerce Commission, the District Financial Affairs Office, the District Finance Bureau, and the District Market Supervision Bureau (District Intellectual Property Bureau). The panel’s responsibilities include the evaluation, assessment, acceptance, and approval of submitted projects.Prior to project review, the District Science and Technology Commission shall commission a professional third-party institution to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the submitted projects. Projects to be supported must pass the evaluation, undergo review by the review panel, be publicly announced, and be approved by the District Government. Upon completion of project construction and successful acceptance, and with the consent of the review panel, the District Science and Technology Commission shall apply to the District Finance Bureau for the disbursement of support funds.
VIII. Supervision and Management
The District Finance Bureau, in conjunction with the District Science and Technology Commission, shall supervise and inspect the use of special funds in accordance with relevant regulations. If an enterprise violates the requirements for fund usage and management, the District Science and Technology Commission shall recover the full amount of funds already disbursed. In cases of serious violations or breaches of national laws, the relevant personnel or entities shall be held accountable in accordance with the law, and the acts of bad faith shall be recorded in the credit reporting system.
The District Science and Technology Commission, in conjunction with relevant departments, shall conduct regular performance evaluations of policy implementation and the effectiveness of support measures in accordance with relevant regulations.
IX. Supplementary Provisions
1. The Huangpu District Science and Technology Commission and the District Finance Bureau shall be responsible for interpreting this policy.
2. This policy shall take effect 30 days after its promulgation and remain valid until December 31, 2025. For the period from January 1, 2022, to the date of implementation of this policy, cases meeting the requirements of this policy shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of this policy.
Policy Interpretation of the "Huangpu District Policy Guidelines on Accelerating the Development of the Digital Industry"
