The 20th Hardware Innovmetal Award 2025

I. OVERVIEW

The InnovMetal Award (hereinafter referred to as IMA), formerly known as the China Hardware Products International Design Competition, was established in 2006. Over the past 19 years, it has been deeply engaged at the forefront of global hardware innovation, attracting more than 40,000 submissions from over 30 countries and generating an industrial output value exceeding RMB 30 billion.

In 2025, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, IMA has been officially upgraded and renamed. With higher prize funds, an improved competition structure, and stronger supporting resources, IMA aims to anchor itself in the strategic vision of “World Hardware Capital · Quality and Vitality in Yongkang.” It strives to become a global innovation and design hub for the hardware industry, driving the transformation from “Made in China” to “Designed in China.”

II. OBJECTIVES

Centered on the theme “Design Driving the Future of Hardware”, IMA seeks to inject new functions, value, and user experiences into traditional hardware products. It strives to become a driving force for industrial transformation, guiding the hardware industry toward sustainable development and creating infinite possibilities for future living.

III. ORGANIZATION

Supporting Organization: Beijing Guanghua Design Development Foundation

Organizee: People’s Government of Yongkang

Partners: Zhejiang University of Technology

                  Zhejiang Industrial Design Association

                  Zhejiang Industrial Design Technology Innovation Service Platform

Undertaken by: Yongkang Science and Technology Bureau

                            Zhejiang Yongkang Hardware Productivity Promotion Centre Co., Ltd.

Co-organizer: Yongkang Economic and Information Technology Bureau

                         Yongkang Human Resources and Social Security Bureau

                         Yongkang Municipal Market Supervision Bureau

                         Zhejiang Hardware Industry Industrial Design Demonstration Base

                         Zhejiang Yongkang Hardware Industry Innovation Service Complex

                         Yongkang Industrial Design Association

Intellectual Property Consultant: Yongkang Intellectual Property Protection Center

Co-organizer (Enterprises): Zhejiang FeiJian Technology Co, Ltd.

                                                 Zhejiang Lijiujia Sports Equipment Co., Ltd.

                                                 Zhejiang Long Yard Industry and Trade Co, Ltd.

                                                 Yongkang KINGMAX Outdoor Product Co, Ltd.

                                                 MuXing (Yongkang) Medical Technology Co, Ltd.

                                                 Zhejiang China Science & Technology Hardware City Group Co., Ltd.

Jury Committee:

The jury will consist of distinguished figures from the global design community, academic experts, senior enterprise designers, marketing specialists, industry experts, investors, corporate representatives, and veteran design professionals. A renowned figure from the global design community will serve as the Jury Chair. The committee will conduct independent evaluations of submissions to IMA and provide recommendations on relevant matters.

 IV. DESIGN CATEGORIES AND REQUIREMENTS

The InnovMetal Award (IMA) comprises two main tracks: Product Track and Creative Track.

(i) Product Track

Primarily soliciting design products and services with outstanding commercial and social value, capable of rapid industrialization (no category restrictions). The aim is to attract outstanding innovative projects and teams for deep integration into Yongkang’s manufacturing sector.

Contact: +86 579-87226523, +86 18869932465 (Mr. Mei, WeChat available)

(ii) Creative Track

1.    “FEIJIAN” Health Cup & Pot Design

Co-organizr: Zhejiang FeiJian Technology Co, Ltd.

Company website: www.feijiankj.com

Contact: +86 18015377839 (Mr. Xu, WeChat available)

• Product Categories: Tea brewing and infusion vessels; coffee brewing and serving vessels; sports bottles; small household appliances such as vacuum kettles, electric kettles, tea makers, and health pots.
• Design Requirements: Innovate product and service design based on different usage methods (e.g., hand-brew, portable) and application scenarios (e.g., indoor, outdoor camping) as well as sports types (e.g., cycling, fitness, hiking). Fully explore the creative application of titanium materials in cup and pot design. Pay attention to the special needs of elderly and other specific user groups. Integrate eco-friendly and sustainable design principles.

2.    “LIJIUJIA”Home Fitness Equipment Design

Co-organizer: Zhejiang Lijiujia Sports Equipment Co., Ltd.

Company website: https://lijiujia.ltd/

Contact: +86 13549295403 (Mr. Liu, WeChat available)

• Product Categories: Home-use motorized treadmills, spinning bikes, elliptical trainers, rowing machines, rehabilitation and medical fitness equipment.
• Design Requirements: Focus on home fitness scenarios to meet needs for indoor exercise, body shaping, and overall wellness, encouraging people to enjoy exercise. Rehabilitation equipment should cater to both indoor and outdoor use with intelligent functions. Innovations may include but are not limited to: form design, new materials and processes, one-touch electric/mechanical folding, ultra-quiet performance (active noise reduction), intelligent shock absorption based on exercise habits, and the application of AI, cloud computing, and big health data to provide scientific fitness guidance and reduce injuries.

3.    “LONGYARD” Multi-functional Quick-Assembly Rooms/Sheds Design

Co-organizer: Zhejiang Long Yard Industry and Trade Co, Ltd.

Company website: www.sunor.cn

Contact: +86 15888917061 (Mr. Wu, WeChat available)

• Product Categories: Tool sheds, sunrooms, pergolas, carports, garden houses, greenhouses, pet houses, etc.
• Design Requirements: Use metal components as the primary material. Innovate quick-assembly structures, new structures and packaging methods to improve container loading efficiency, and modular/systematic product and service innovations.

4.    “KINGMAX”Outdoor Leisure Products Design

Co-organizer: Yongkang KINGMAX Outdoor Product Co, Ltd.

Company website: www.kingmaxoutdoor.com

Contact: +86 13967918798 (Mr. Jia, WeChat available)

• Product Categories: Reclining folding chairs, multifunctional folding tables, carts, rooftop tents, etc.
• Design Requirements: Usage scenarios include hiking, urban camping, gardens, and parks. Materials include steel tubing, aluminum tubing, carbon fiber, Oxford fabric, as well as innovative and ultralight materials. Designs should be lightweight, portable, intelligent, and explore cultural integration and interactive design across different functions and scenarios.

5.    “MUXING” Carbon Fiber Mobility Aids Design

Co-organizer: MuXing (Yongkang) Medical Technology Co, Ltd.

Company website: /

Contact: +86 17757972638 (Dr. Qiu, WeChat available)

• l  Product Categories: Electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other mobility aids.
• l  Design Requirements: Core material is carbon fiber; connectors may use plastics or metal hardware. Frame structures may use round, square, or oval carbon fiber tubing. Fully consider material selection and manufacturing processes. Prioritize modularization, miniaturization, and lightweighting (optimized weight reduction), with quick-folding or quick-disassembly for compact packaging and storage. Explore innovative connection, folding, and telescoping mechanisms or expandable functional modules. Ensure ergonomic compliance, optimized user experience, ease of operation, safety, and reliability. Through structural optimization and standardized production, reduce tooling and manufacturing costs while enhancing market competitiveness.

6.    “Hardware City” City Souvenir Design

Co-organizer: Zhejiang China Science & Technology Hardware City Group Co., Ltd.

Company Website: www.hardwarecity.com.cn

Contact: +86 18066202091 (Mr. Wu, WeChat available)

• Product Category: Solicit city souvenir designs that take hardware products as the medium and city characteristics as the core, transforming hardware into “cultural tokens” embodying urban character, intangible cultural heritage, and craftsmanship.(1) Gift-oriented design of hardware specialty products – Centered on flagship and advantageous hardware products, with innovative series designs and packaging.(2) Yongkang-themed cultural and creative derivatives – Reimagining Yongkang symbols through hardware craftsmanship to create IP characters, cultural products, tourism souvenirs, and packaging.
• Design Requirements: Consider real-world contexts such as business meetings and event commemorations, with a sense of ceremony. Focus on tangible products (excluding agricultural and sideline products), compliant with modern manufacturing technology, and with necessary conditions for implementation.

V. CONTESTANTS

(i) Product Track: Public registration is open to domestic and international university students, design agencies, enterprises, designers, and design enthusiasts (participants must be at least 18 years old). Teams may consist of no more than five members. Enterprises must meet the Classification Standards for SMEs and have no adverse records. Publicly submitted works will go through preliminary evaluation. Expert-nominated works, once approved by the organizing committee, may proceed directly to the second round.

(ii) Creative Track: Open to domestic and international university students, design agencies, enterprises, and independent designers. Teams may consist of no more than three members.

Entry Fee: Free

VI. AWARDS & PRIZES

University student winners of IMA (Product Track Gold/Silver/Bronze Star, Creative Track Gold/Silver/Bronze Creation) will also receive a “Longteng Star” certificate. Other eligible winners may be recommended for the “Guanghua Longteng Award – Top Ten Outstanding Youth in China’s Design Industry” in the following year.

VII. PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES

1. Participants must read the 20th The InnovMetal Award (IMA) Participation Guidelines carefully and complete the registration form. Submission indicates agreement to all rules and conditions.
2. Creative Track: Preliminary, semi-final, and final evaluations will determine award winners (Gold and Silver Creation Awards will be judged via on-site presentation).
3. Product Track: Preliminary, semi-final, and final evaluations will determine award winners (final judged via on-site presentation).
4. Outstanding Instructor Award winners will be determined by the organizing committee based on evaluation criteria.
5. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to IMA winners in the Product Track and Creative Track (Gold/Silver/Bronze Creation, Creative Excellence, Outstanding Instructor). Creative Merit Award winners will receive certificates only.
6. Prize money will be awarded according to relevant Chinese tax regulations, with applicable personal income tax withheld at source. Payments will be made via bank transfer to the winner’s personal or designated enterprise account.

VIII. EVALUATION CRITERIA

(i) Product Track :

• Innovation (20%) – Originality, forward-thinking, ability to capture and lead product trends.
• Feasibility (30%) – Materials, processes, and structures aligned with modern manufacturing; viable for production.
• Completeness (20%) – Series-based products or systemized services.
• Market Value (30%) – Meets market demand with strong potential for commercial success.

(ii) Creative Track:

• Innovation (30%) – Novelty in concept, functionality, and material/process applications; design aesthetics; trend relevance.
• Feasibility (20%) – Compatibility with modern manufacturing, modular design, customization potential; cost optimization through design.
• Completeness (20%) – Clear expression of concept and features; series/system-level product and service design.
• Market & Industry Value (30%) – Practicality in daily life, market readiness, and industry impact.

(iii) Outstanding Instructor Award:

Determined by a weighted score based on the number of submissions, shortlists, and awards achieved by the instructor’s students.the top ten will be determined by adding up the weightings and awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award.

 IX. SCHEDULE

• Announcement Release: September 1, 2025
• Promotion & Media Coverage: September–December 2025
• Submission Deadline: December 31, 2025 (24:00 Beijing Time)
• Preliminary Evaluation: Early January 2026
• Product Track Enterprise Matching: Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
• Semi-final Evaluation: Late January 2026
• Final Evaluation&Award; Ceremony: March–April 2026

 X. CONTACT INFORMATION

Online submission: www.ykwjdesign.com (Submission system will open in October)

Contact QQ: 1336365009

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +86 579-87226523 / +86 18869932465 (Mr. Mei, WeChat available)

Official Website: www.ykwjdesign.com