Chongqing

Strategically located in the heart of Southwest China, Chongqing serves as a gateway to a vast and rapidly growing market. Nestled within the upper Yangtze River Economic Belt, Chongqing stands as China's fourth municipality, following the ranks of Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin.

Beyond its uniqueness, Chongqing bridges China's eastern coast and western interior, playing a pivotal role in the implementation of China's Go West policy. It's also a burgeoning hub for advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, energy, logistics, and finance in the region.

Video Credits: Expats in Chongqing: A Glimpse into Chongqing's Vibrant Expat Startups Community

In addition, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) represents the third intergovernmental cooperation project between Singapore and China. It encompasses four key areas: Financial Services, Aviation, Transport and Logistics, and Information and Communications Technology. These initiatives collectively highlight Chongqing's vision and commitment to fostering innovation and growth.

Surrounded by mountains on all sides with two large rivers running through the city, Chongqing has the nickname “Mountain Metropolis”. Given its unique environment, you will find buildings and roads that seem to defy gravity by clinging to hills and cliffs.

Explore the rich cultural heritage of Chongqing, a city known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions, and mouthwatering cuisine. From the bustling streets of the city center to the serene beauty of the surrounding mountains, Chongqing offers a unique blend of urban excitement and natural beauty that will captivate your senses and inspire your creativity.

Video Credits: Chongqing: China's most SURREAL city — is it "CCP" propaganda?! - YouTube

Chongqing is quickly emerging as a hotbed for startups, with a burgeoning ecosystem that fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth. Launching in 2024, Chongqing is the fifth NOC location in China and the only one in Western China. From tech startups and e-commerce ventures to green energy initiatives, the city is buzzing with entrepreneurial energy, and the NOC six-month programme offers a myriad of opportunities for ambitious students like you.

Join us in Chongqing!

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Alumni Voices

Tan Zhan Tiam
Tan Zhan Tiam

NOC Chongqing Alumna | Jul 2024 Intake (Pioneer batch)
Faculty of Arts & Social Sci | Political Science

My six-month stint in Chongqing has been nothing but inspiring and enriching. I was blown away by the technological advancements of the city, especially in the fields of AI and electric vehicles, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit of the locals, given that they had to overcome numerous challenges to build up a city within the mountains. I learned how a western inland city is rising to become a connectivity hub for trade and knowledge transfer between China and Southeast Asia, which got me thinking about how I can play a role in facilitating collaboration between the two economically vibrant regions. Life and culture in Chongqing are also not what you would expect in the eastern, coastal cities, which significantly broadened my perspectives on China. I highly encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and students interested in entrepreneurship to embrace this unique opportunity to expand their perspectives and step out of their comfort zone!

Janice Mo
Janice Mo Ke Ying

NOC Chongqing Alumnus | Jul 2024 Intake (Pioneer batch)
NUS Business School | BBA

Hi, I'm Janice from NOC Chongqing '24, part of the first batch to be in Chongqing! As a Business Development Intern at First Start Up, this experience has been incredibly enriching. I had the opportunity to work closely with dynamic startups and gain hands-on experience in market research, client engagement, and strategic planning.

Being in Chongqing allowed me to witness the unique intersection of China's rapid economic growth and its government-driven initiatives to support innovation and entrepreneurship. It was fascinating to learn how these policies shape the local business landscape.

Beyond work, I enjoyed immersing myself in Chongqing's vibrant culture, trying its famous hotpot, and exploring the scenic cityscapes. This program broadened my global perspective and equipped me with skills that I will carry forward in my career.

I'm grateful for the support of my mentors and peers who made this journey unforgettable!

Pearlyn Koh
Pearlyn Koh Kai Xin

NOC Chongqing Alumnus | Jul 2024 Intake (Pioneer batch)
NUS Business School | BBA

My internship in Chongqing was truly an eye-opening and enriching experience that accelerated my growth. During my six-month internship, I had the opportunity to work with governmental bodies, entrepreneurs, as well as participate in international conferences to broaden my understanding of the industry. These experiences forced me to step out of my comfort zone, honing my communication and leadership skills in the process. I enjoyed immersing myself in the innovative and fast-paced lifestyle in Chongqing, and I highly recommend students aspiring to be entrepreneurs to embark on this journey!

Programme Mentors

Ma Ning
Ma Ning

Ma Ning is the founder and CEO of First Startup, which has 16 innovation centers in 10 cities in China In 2011, he founded 支点联游 and successfully created the world's largest Windows Phone-based cloud gaming social platform OpenXLive, which received two rounds of financing. He was awarded the title of “苏州工业园区领军人才” (Leading Talent of Suzhou Industrial Park) in 2014 and the honor of “中关村创业未来之星” (Future Star of Zhongguancun Entrepreneurship). Prior to that, he has worked in Microsoft Asia Engineering Institute and Vimicro Electronics

Outside of work, he is also the Deputy Director of the Center for Industrial Cooperation of the Digital Economy and Digital Trade Committee of the China World Trade Organization Research Association. He also serves as the Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Mentor and the honorary director and mentor of Chongqing Angel Club.