Short Description
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 was 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.”
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.
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
- “FEIJIAN” Health Cup & Pot Design
Co-organizer: 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. - “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. - “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. - “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. - “MUXING” Carbon Fiber Mobility Aids Design
Co-organizer: MuXing (Yongkang) Medical Technology Co, Ltd.
Company website: /
Contact: +86 17757972638 (Dr. Qiu, WeChat available)
Product Categories: Electric wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other mobility aids.
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. - “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.
Eligibility
(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.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
- Product Track
- One Gold Star Award: 140,000$
- Two Silver Star Award: 140,000$
- Three Bronze Star Award: 84,000$
- Ten Excellent Award: 28,000$
- Creative Track
- 6 Gold Creation Award: 42,000$
- 12 Silver Creation Award: 33,600$
- 18 Bronze Creation Award: 25,200$
- 120 Creative Excellence Award: 33,600$
- Creative Merit Award ≤200 Honor Only /
- 16 Outstanding Instructor Award: 11,200$
Total Prize Money approx. USD 537,600
Entry Fee
None
Location
China
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 31 December 2025
Website Link: http://www.ykwjdesign.com/#/
