For Ms. Qiu and Mr. Fetterman at Nomiku, the key is stretching out the cash they have raised.

WSJ: Forget the Web, Valley Start-Ups Get Real

Meanwhile, Qiu had been the favorite going into the event after having won the semifinals by a significant margin.

WSJ: Menu

"We've thrown everything to the wind to commit to this, " said Ms. Qiu.

WSJ: Forget the Web, Valley Start-Ups Get Real

"Subdued actual export growth in April points to sluggish global demand, " said RBS economists Louis Kuijs and Tiffany Qiu in a report.

NPR: China Reports Stronger April Trade Growth

Some, like Beijing-based designer Mi Qiu, believe China ought to preserve more of its traditional housing forms like the centuries-old villages and hutong--neighborhoods traversed by narrow, winding alleys.

CNN: Beijing embraces Brave New World of buildings