Purpose
Weekly Mini Demo Days are the backbone of ShanHaiWoo 2025’s progress-based selection system. They provide continuous checkpoints for teams to showcase progress, receive feedback, and sharpen their product direction—while directly influencing who advances to the Final Demo Day.
Format
Held every Friday during the residency
Each team presents their current progress (tech, product, traction, team, etc.)
Feedback from a panel of mentors, guest reviewers, and peers
Teams are scored on a 5-point rubric, across dimensions such as:
• Presentation clarity & pitch effectiveness
• Market insight & opportunity size
• Innovation & differentiation
• Technical depth & feasibility
• Weekly progress since last review
• Team capability & responsiveness
Evaluation & Tracking
Reviewers provide both scores and qualitative feedback
Consistently low-performing teams (≤3 average score across weeks) are flagged as “at risk”
After three consecutive weeks of minimal progress, teams may lose eligibility for the Final Demo Day
Why It Matters
Not just a showcase — Mini Demo Days are a selection filter for the Final Demo Day on September 29.
Encourage accountability, iteration, and responsiveness to feedback
Ensure Demo Day features only the most promising, impact-ready projects
Outcome
Performance in Weekly Mini Demo Days will be the primary basis for selecting the 18 teams that present at Final Demo Day.
