Future Tech｜Who will become the next AI giant? These 175 early-stage projects are showcased at WAIC 2026

▤ Summary

WAIC Future Tech spotlights early-stage AI startups and independent builders that could become the next major AI companies. The program focuses on connecting these teams with investors, customers, and partners at the Shanghai conference in July. This year’s showcase includes 153 startups and 22 OPC projects across applications, embodied intelligence, infrastructure, and frontier technologies. The article highlights several software-driven teams using large models, agents, and AI-for-science workflows to solve practical problems. It also emphasizes that the event creates direct opportunities for roadshows, investor meetings, and commercial partnerships.

▦ Linked Companies