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Belt and Road Innovation & Investment Summit (Chengdu) 2025: Highlights & Takeaways

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InnoForge Ventures was proud to be part of the Belt and Road Innovation & Investment Summit for Global Enterprises, held during the 2025 Belt and Road Science and Technology Exchange Conference in Chengdu from 10-12 Jun 2025. The summit brought together over 200 international delegates across 20+ countries, from government leaders to Nobel laureates, to exchange ideas on how to drive global innovation, investment, and cross-border collaboration.

Group photo of InnoForge team and global delegates standing in front of a large blue display structure labeled “Belt and Road Innovation & Investment Summit 2025” at the Chengdu convention venue.
InnoForge team and international delegates at the 2025 Belt and Road Innovation and Investment Summit for Global Enterprises, held in Chengdu. (2nd from Right: Darrel Chua, Managing Partner of Innoforge Ventures)

This landmark event saw the official signing of multiple strategic MoUs, including InnoForge’s tripartite agreement with the Singapore-Sichuan Hi-Tech Innovation Park (SSCIP) and Tianfu International Technology Transfer Center (ITTC). With this agreement, InnoForge will establish a Deeptech Incubation/Acceleration lab in SSCIP Chengdu, enabling stronger bilateral flow of startups, talent, and capital between Singapore and China.

Belt and Road Innovation & Investment Summit 2025

A group of international delegates and executives stand at podiums on stage during the Signing Ceremony at the Belt and Road Innovation and Investment Summit, with digital MOU signatures displayed on a large screen behind them.
Representatives from global organizations on stage to formalize signing of international cooperation agreements during the Signing Ceremony. (4th from Left: Darrel Chua, Innoforge Ventures, Managing Partner)


The summit hosted a vibrant exhibition featuring cutting-edge tech from China and abroad. Below are a few standout innovations:

Aerofugia AE200: The Future of Urban Mobility

The AE200, developed by Aerofugia and presented by Ren Bin, Chairman of JOUAV Automation, represents Chengdu’s ambitions in the low-altitude digital economy. This vertical take-off and landing drone aircraft showcases the potential for smart urban mobility and autonomous logistics. Ren emphasized how AE200 fits into China’s broader strategy to lead in next-gen aerial technologies.

A model of the AEROFUGIA AE200 eVTOL aircraft with multiple rotors on display at a technology exhibition booth, flanked by panda mascots and informational brochures. A digital cityscape animation plays on the screen in the background.
The AEROFUGIA AE200, a cutting-edge electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, showcased at the exhibition as a highlight of China’s advancements in urban air mobility and low-altitude digital economy.

Remote Surgery with BORNS AI + TORSS

The BORNS transoral robotic surgery system is a leap forward in AI-enabled healthcare, the BORNS transoral robotic surgery system allows surgeons to conduct minimally invasive operations from afar. Its precision, stability, and AI-enhanced imaging bring us closer to the reality of borderless surgical care. In an on-site demonstration, the system performed flawlessly with negligible delay, proving its potential for global remote applications.

Close-up of the BORNS AI + TORSS® robotic surgery system with articulated robotic arms and display screen showing medical professionals conducting remote procedures, exhibited at a technology summit.
A demonstration of the Transoral Robotic Surgery System showcasing advancements in remote robotic-assisted medical procedures.

Industrial Robotics from CROBOTP

A visit to CROBOTP, one of the summit’s exhibitors, revealed China’s strong manufacturing backbone. Their robotic arms, already used by companies like BYD, highlight the country’s deep vertical integration in automation, from automotive to aerospace. Their focus on scalable, high-performance automation highlights how China’s robotics sector is both mature and export-ready. These capabilities are crucial for partners looking to scale deeptech applications into real-world industrial environments.

Several large blue industrial robotic arms from CRP Robotics displayed in a showroom, showcasing automation technology used in manufacturing.
A lineup of industrial robotic arms from CRP Robotics, prominently featured at their Chengdu facility. These advanced machines play a critical role in automating production for major manufacturers, including BYD and Foxconn.

AI-Powered Health Robotics

Another standout was an AI-driven health robot capable of performing neck and spinal massages with remarkable precision. This AI-driven massage robot offered precise and customizable spinal therapy, catching the attention of both attendees and healthcare professionals. It exemplifies how robotics is merging with consumer wellness, a growing opportunity for both medical and lifestyle applications.

A smart healthcare robot helps with physical therapy using advanced imaging and a robotic arm

Building Bridges with Global Partners

The summit also served as a major signing venue for bilateral collaborations. InnoForge had the privilege to stand alongside global partners at the Signing Ceremony of the Belt and Road International Science and Innovation Enterprises Alliance, aimed at streamlining international technology transfer and joint incubation. Alongside our own MoU with SSCIP and ITTC, here are some highlights:

  • Dieseljet (Italy) x Hongpeng Aerospace (China): Signed an MoU to jointly develop aerospace engine control systems.
  • Belarus Tech Transfer Center x Tianfu ITTC: Formalized a cooperation framework to identify bilateral partners for tech commercialization and capital matchmaking.

These engagements are not just symbolic, they represent concrete commitments to bring ideas across borders. With China’s strong production capacity and Singapore’s position as a trusted global hub, InnoForge is excited to serve as a bridge for companies entering or expanding into either market. These initiatives highlight the Belt and Road’s role not just as a geopolitical initiative, but as a platform for real economic collaboration.

What This Means for InnoForge

The summit reinforced one key insight: cross-border collaboration is essential.

At InnoForge, our mission is to help startups move beyond borders. Whether through co-incubation hubs, pilot deployments, or helping firms enter new regulatory landscapes, we are committed to helping founders scale deeptech solutions where they’re needed most.

Looking to enter China or expand globally? Contact us and let’s explore what’s possible.