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Applications open

Frontier Technology and Robotics Immersion

Seven days in China learning from engineers and exploring frontier technology and futuristic robotics, with a buildathon to put it all into practice.

  • 7 days, 6 nights
  • Shenzhen, Hengqin, Greater Bay Area
  • Only 30 seats per cohort

Two cohorts

Cohort 119 to 25 February 2027

Cohort 219 to 25 March 2027

117 days to go

Fee

₹1.9 lakh + GST

GST at 18%. Advance ₹95,000 + GST, due 15 December 2026 (Cohort 1) or 15 January 2027 (Cohort 2).

Fill the interest formSee the 7 days
30seats only, per cohort
7days, 6 nights in China
3buildathon sprints

Seven days in China

Exposure, build, present

Exposure

Students visit companies, startups and universities in the Greater Bay Area, meet the engineers building the products, and ask questions.

Days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

Build

In teams, students take a problem statement and build a working prototype across three sprints, with student mentors on Day 4.

Sprints on Days 2, 4 and 6

Present

Teams present what they built, followed by a visit to an incubator.

Day 6

Where we go

India to the Greater Bay Area

IndiaGreater Bay AreaShenzhen and Hengqin

Schematic arc, not a flight route. The order of cities by day is not shown.

Day by day

The week, at a glance

Tentative itinerary. Subject to change.

  • Exposure
  • Build
  • Present
  • Connect
  • Self space

  1. Day 1

    • Morning + AfternoonConnectArrival and orientation
    • EveningConnectCohort dinner

  2. Day 2

    • MorningExposureStartup visit
    • AfternoonBuildBuildathon sprint 1Problem statement and team
    • EveningSelf spaceCity exploration

  3. Day 3

    • MorningExposureCompany visitHardware company, engineers
    • AfternoonSelf spaceSelf space
    • EveningConnectHotpot dinnerWith local students

  4. Day 4

    • MorningExposureUniversity visitEducation system, masterclass
    • AfternoonBuildBuildathon sprint 2Build with student mentors
    • EveningSelf spaceSelf space

  5. Day 5

    • Morning + AfternoonExposureCluster company visitDeep tech: likely semiconductor, AI and robotics
    • EveningSelf spaceSelf spaceDecompress and absorb

  6. Day 6

    • MorningBuildBuildathon sprint 3Final sprint, complete the MVP
    • AfternoonPresentPresentationsPlus incubator visit
    • EveningConnectClosing the tribeClose the experience

  7. Day 7

    • MorningExposureCompany visitGlobal brand from China
    • AfternoonSelf spaceShenzhen explorationElectronics market, self exploration
    • EveningConnectTravel back to India

  8. One more thing

    Every day mixes visits, building and time to absorb. Self space is yours to explore.

How to apply

Four steps to your seat

  1. 1

    Fill the interest form

    Takes a few minutes.

  2. 2

    Short interview

    A representative gets in touch to understand your technical skills, intention and purpose.

  3. 3

    Confirmation letter

    If you are selected, we share a confirmation letter. Not everybody gets in.

  4. 4

    Advance payment

    Once you receive the letter, pay the advance of ₹95,000 + GST, due 15 December 2026 for Cohort 1 and 15 January 2027 for Cohort 2, to get into the cohort.

Selection to the cohort is on confirmation. We take select students, and not everybody gets in.

Fill the interest form

Is this for you

Who this immersion is for

These are general checks so you can see whether the immersion fits. The interview is where we learn more.

  • Currently in college, 1st to 4th year
  • Studying robotics, AI, tech or tech related courses
  • Interested in learning frontier technology, robotics and AI
  • Interested in travel

The interview checks your technical skills, intention and purpose for joining.

The fee

One fee, everything listed

₹1.9 lakh + GST

The fee is what we charge. GST at 18% is added because government taxes are unavoidable. Both are shown so you can see exactly what you pay.

How you pay

Advance: ₹95,000 + GST (GST at 18%)
After your confirmation letter. Due 15 December 2026 for Cohort 1, 15 January 2027 for Cohort 2.
Balance: ₹95,000 + GST (GST at 18%)
After your visa is approved. Last date 1 February 2027 for Cohort 1, 1 March 2027 for Cohort 2.

Included in the fee

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • International flight
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • All visits
  • Local travel
  • Buildathon
  • Welcome kit

Not included

  • GST
  • Any personal expenses
  • Travel to and from the Indian airport

After the trip

A report, then the Frontier Community

Your report and certificate

Every student writes a report on their learnings and opportunities explored. The report is mandatory to receive the immersion completion certificate.

A small extra

The Frontier Community

Students become part of it automatically once they go on one of our immersions. Members get free access to all engagement done within the community, except immersion programmes, international or domestic. Community guidelines are reviewed regularly and any change is communicated in advance.

Why China, why now

Frontier AI and robotics, by the numbers

  • 74.2%of the world's granted AI patents are Chinese (2024)Source: Stanford HAI, AI Index 2026, chapter 1
  • $176.7BChina's AI industry in 2025Source: CAICT, via China Daily
  • 59%of the world's new industrial robots were installed in China in 2025Source: IFR, World Robotics 2026
  • 39%of world humanoid robot shipments came from one Chinese maker (2025, estimate)Source: Omdia, via TechNode

For parents

What you will want to know

Waiver for every student
A waiver applies to everyone who joins.
Parents' NOC
A no objection certificate from parents is required.
Fees go to the LLP
All fees are paid to Upward Labs Learning LLP.
The report is the student's
It is mandatory for the certificate. Parents can ask their ward for it.

Refund policy, in plain words

  • Refund appliesIf your visa is rejectedThe visa and associated costs are deducted. The rest is refunded.
  • Refund appliesIf we cancel the immersionFor any reason. Full refund, no deductions.
  • No refundIn any other caseThis includes withdrawal. We block a seat for every student, which is why there are only 30.

FAQ

Questions people usually ask

Pick a topic.

Who can apply

Who can apply?

College students from 1st year to 4th year can apply.

Which courses and interests are we looking for?

Students currently in college who are studying robotics, AI, tech or tech related courses, who want to learn about frontier technology, robotics and AI, and who are interested in travel. These are general checks to help you see whether this immersion is for you.

Can Class 12 students apply?

Not for these two cohorts. Class 12 students can preview future cohorts when we announce them after the board exams.

Does everyone who applies get in?

No. We take select students, and selection to the cohort is on confirmation. Not everybody gets in.

What is the interview about?

After you fill the interest form, one of our representatives gets in touch for a short interview. It helps us understand your technical skills, your intention and your purpose for joining the cohort.

Apply and pay

How do I apply?

Fill the interest form. A representative contacts you for a short interview. After the interview we share a confirmation letter. Once you receive it, you pay the advance of ₹95,000 + GST, due 15 December 2026 for Cohort 1 and 15 January 2027 for Cohort 2, to get into the cohort.

How much does it cost?

₹1.9 lakh + GST. GST at 18% is added because government taxes are unavoidable, and we show both so you can see exactly what we charge. The advance is ₹95,000 + GST, due 15 December 2026 for Cohort 1 and 15 January 2027 for Cohort 2.

When do I pay the balance?

The balance is ₹95,000 + GST, paid after your visa is approved. The last date is 1 February 2027 for Cohort 1 and 1 March 2027 for Cohort 2.

What is included in the fee?

Food, accommodation, international flight, visa, insurance, all visits, local travel, buildathon and welcome kit.

What is not included?

GST, any personal expenses and travel to and from the Indian airport.

How many seats are there, and when are the cohorts?

Only 30 seats are available per cohort. Cohort 1 runs from 19 to 25 February 2027. Cohort 2 runs from 19 to 25 March 2027.

Refunds and rules

When do I get a refund?

Refunds apply in two cases only. If your visa is rejected, the visa and associated costs are deducted and the rest is refunded. If we cancel the immersion for any reason, you get a full refund with no deductions. Refunds do not apply in any other case.

What if I withdraw?

There is no refund. We block a seat for every student, which is why there are only 30 seats per cohort.

Is a waiver or a parents' NOC needed?

Yes. A waiver applies to every student, and a parents' NOC is required.

Is the student report mandatory?

Yes. Every student writes a report on their learnings and opportunities explored. The report is mandatory to receive the immersion completion certificate. The report belongs to the student, so parents can ask their ward for it.

Who do I pay?

Fees are paid to Upward Labs Learning LLP.

Safety and stay

Is the immersion safe?

Student safety is a planning priority. The itinerary is built around visits to established companies, startups and universities, and the cohort travels together as one group. Insurance is included in the fee.

Who looks after the students on the ground?

The cohort travels together, and local student mentors support the buildathon. Details of who accompanies the group are shared with confirmed students and their parents.

Where will we stay?

Accommodation for all six nights is included in the fee and arranged by us for the whole cohort. Stay details are shared after confirmation.

Is there an airport pick-up in China?

Local travel in China is included in the fee, which covers getting around for the programme. Your own travel to and from the Indian airport is not included.

What happens in an emergency?

Insurance is included in the fee. Emergency contacts and the process are shared with confirmed students and their parents before departure.

Who arranges the visa?

The visa is included in the fee. If your visa is rejected, the refund rules apply: the visa and associated costs are deducted and the rest is refunded.

The programme

What do we do in the seven days?

Exposure, build and present. You visit companies, a startup and a university, meet engineers, work on a buildathon across three sprints, with student mentors on Day 4, and present what you built.

Where do we go?

Shenzhen, Hengqin, Greater Bay Area in China.

Is the itinerary final?

No. It is tentative and subject to change.

What is the Frontier Community?

Students become part of it automatically once they go on one of our immersions. Members get free access to all engagement done within the community, except immersion programmes, international or domestic. We review the community guidelines regularly and communicate any change in advance.

How do I contact you?

Write to hello@upwardlabs.in.

Applications open

Ready to apply for the next cohort?

Cohort 1: 19 to 25 February 2027. Cohort 2: 19 to 25 March 2027. Only 30 seats each.

Fill the interest formQuestions? hello@upwardlabs.in