What Future Forum does

Future Forum is a Beijing-based non-profit that is dedicated to increasing awareness and discussion of exponential technologies so that society can better prepare for the coming era.

Name

Future Forum

Legal name

北京市朝阳区未来论坛科技发展中心

Website

http://www.futureforum.org.cn/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Future Forum is a non-profit that is dedicated to increasing awareness and discussion of exponential technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Communication Foundation

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Science communication
• Nonprofit foundation
• Science prize awards
• Public science lectures
• Researcher engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Future Forum is a non-profit science foundation that hosts public science lectures, symposia, webinars, and youth engagement programs, and administers the Future Science Prize ($1 million per category across Life Science, Physical Science, and Mathematics & Computer Science). It gathers leading Chinese and international scientists to engage with the general public, students, and entrepreneurs through free public-facing programs.

Product overview

Future Forum (未来论坛) is a non-profit science communication organization that operates as a platform hosting multiple interconnected programs and event series. The core offerings include the Future Science Prize Symposium (未来科学大奖科学峰会), the Understanding Future Science Lecture Series (理解未来科学讲座) which has been running since 2015, the Closed-Door Cultivation (闭门耕) for intimate expert discussions, the Future Bureau (未来·局) for young scientist engagement, and the YOSIA Webinar series for online interdisciplinary discussion. The platform also produces thematic sub-series including the AI Ethics and Governance Series and Carbon Neutrality Technology Series, as well as city-specific Summit & Forum events. Together, these programs form an integrated ecosystem aimed at promoting scientific knowledge, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, and inspiring innovation among Chinese youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Future Science Prize Symposium (未来科学大奖科学峰会) Annual academic conference featuring workshops and seminars on advanced scientific topics including mathematics, quantum physics, and celestial physics, where prominent scientists discuss their latest research with entrepreneurs and the public. Aimed at the general public, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
• Understanding Future Science Lecture Series (理解未来科学讲座) Public science lecture series held since 2015, inviting forward-thinking scientists as guest speakers to conduct cross-disciplinary dialogues with industry entrepreneurs, disseminating scientific spirit and enlightening scientific thought. Targeted at the general public, students, and entrepreneurs.
• Closed-Door Cultivation (闭门耕) Intimate, closed-door discussion format bringing together scientists and industry experts for in-depth exchange on cutting-edge research topics. For invited scientists and industry experts.
• Future Bureau (未来·局) Interactive platform establishing communication channels between global outstanding young scientists and various sectors of society, exploring frontier scientific research combined with technology application scenarios. For young scientists, investors, industry representatives, and government.
• YOSIA Webinar Interactive online event series promoting in-depth interdisciplinary discussion, where YOSIA members share expertise and forward pressing demands for cross-disciplinary collaboration to approach scientific challenges. For scientists, researchers, and general public.
• AI Ethics and Governance Series (AI伦理与治理系列) Series exploring AI ethics topics including inclusive AI, user data privacy, reliability and explainability of AI decision-making, and AI risk governance. For scientists, policymakers, and the public.
• Carbon Neutrality Technology Series (碳中和科技系列) Series discussing carbon neutrality technologies including hydrogen energy technology and energy storage development. For scientists, industry leaders, and the public.
• Summit & Forum (峰会&论坛) City-specific summit and forum events bringing together scientists, scholars, and business representatives for regional scientific and technological exchange. For scientists, scholars, and business representatives regionally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 47 lecture sessions held since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Breakthrough Prize Foundation: Awards high-profile multi-million-dollar prizes in life sciences, fundamental physics, and mathematics, founded by tech entrepreneurs. Comparable to Future Science Prize in prize magnitude, founder profile (scientist-entrepreneur), and category structure.
• Nobel Prize Foundation: Administers the Nobel Prize, the global benchmark private science prize. Future Forum's Future Science Prize explicitly positions itself as 'China's Nobel Prize', making the Nobel Prize Foundation the most directly comparable peer in mission and structure.
• Shaw Prize Foundation: Hong Kong-based private science prize awarding $1.2M in astronomy, life science and medicine, and mathematical sciences. Highly comparable in prize structure, region, and founder-led private philanthropy model.
• Kavli Foundation: US-based private foundation funding scientific research prizes and institutes across astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. Comparable as a science-focused philanthropy that combines prize-giving with convening and public communication.
• Lasker Foundation: Awards the Lasker Award, one of the most prestigious US biomedical research prizes. Comparable in mission (recognizing scientific excellence) and in pairing the prize with public advocacy for research funding.

Regional players

• Tang Prize Foundation: Taiwan-based private foundation awarding prizes in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, Sinology, and rule of law. Comparable as a privately-funded Asian science prize with public-facing ceremony and lecture programming, though geographically distinct.
• Tencent Foundation (Xplorer Prize): Chinese tech-major philanthropy arm operating the Xplorer Prize for young scientists. Comparable as a China-based, tech-funded science prize targeting emerging researchers, and a likely domestic competitor for sponsor mindshare.

Broad incumbents

• AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science): Large established scientific organization publishing Science magazine and hosting the Annual Meeting. Comparable in its role convening scientists and the public, though much broader in scope than Future Forum's prize-anchored model.
• China Association for Science and Technology (CAST): State-backed umbrella organization for Chinese scientists, hosting major national science events and youth programs. Comparable in convening scientists and youth outreach in China, but operates at vastly larger scale as a government body.

Emerging players

• TED (TED Conferences): Global media organization hosting curated talks by leading thinkers including scientists, with heavy online video distribution. Comparable as a platform that elevates frontier ideas via high-production public-facing talks and reaches millions per session.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/future-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Future Forum