Before coming to the conference, the participants have a two-month online incubation, during which time the organizer puts them in contact with business mentors and angel investors and teaches them team building, project execution and commercialization skills.

"The advice I got from mentors in established companies broadened my horizons. They put forward specific suggestions and pointed out the shortcomings of my project," Zeng says.

Besides the smart pillbox, other projects included one that turns leftover milk into a sustainable fabric for making clothes, a sex education program and a wearable device for the visually challenged.

Participant Lin Yijie says: "I am very interested in startups or NGOs with social influence. The conference taught us entrepreneurial knowledge, provided technical and psychological support, and pushed us out of our comfort zone to cooperate with partners with different personalities."

During the conference, participants also visited a number of companies and organizations, including the Norwegian consulate in Shanghai, PwC China Innovation Center and Coca-Cola to learn more about their social entrepreneurship and startup projects.

Dai Kai, chief executive officer of YSI China, says: "Business shouldn't be only about profit. In the midst of pandemic, we should realize the importance of sustainable development than ever. In the future, YSI China will continue to empower more aspiring young people to use business to solve social problems and promote sustainable development."

Gu Yuhan contributed to the story.