10-year-old Meet Taipei has welcomed 93 international startups landing in Taiwan

2023-12-14 |
10-year-old Meet Taipei has welcomed 93 international startups landing in Taiwan

2023 Meet Taipei marks its 10th anniversary, and it has welcomed nearly a hundred overseas startups to exhibit their solutions. Meet Taipei, marking its 10th anniversary this year, stands as Taiwan's first major native international startup exhibition. As time goes by, it has evolved into Asia's largest innovation and entrepreneurship carnival. The event is centered around new startups, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that includes venture capitalists, established corporations, and emerging entrepreneurial teams.

The 2023 edition of Meet Taipei features a vibrant global pavilion, where 93 overseas startups and startups founded by immigrant entrepreneurs exhibited their products and services. These global startups account for 23% of the total startups in the exhibition hall, highlighting the international presence of Meet Taipei this year. The international startups hail from 16 different countries and regions, which notably include Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and the United States.

2023 Meet Taipei International Startups Category

Among these, almost 20% of startups are working on solutions for AI and data intelligence. / Image Credits: Wendy Wu

What kinds of startups would come to Taiwan? This varied lineup of startups spans across 10 categories. Among these, almost 20% of startups are working on solutions for AI and data intelligence. Featuring an open and inclusive culture, Taiwan has welcomed a lot of innovative startups with whole new business models and also Martech startups to come and execute the market trial in the Taiwanese market. Moreover, Taiwan with its aging population is a demanding market for healthcare solutions, ten healthcare startups seek business opportunities at the venue.

Among the three popular categories ( AI and Data intelligence, cool ideas and new businesses, and healthcare), these overseas startups come to Taiwan specifically for talents and supplier partners.

AI solutions remains the most popular across industries

In the AI category, startups are leveraging AI technology to solve a variety of challenges across different industries. FundFluent, from Hong Kong, is an AI-powered funding platform helping small businesses. By using AI to analyze business data, it provides insights and personalized funding options, demonstrating AI's transformative potential in financial services. The startup has now helped 800 startups with their funding process, boosting the startup’s growth with liquidity. Petionship Technology Company Limited, also from Hong Kong, offers an AI-powered digital suite for pet businesses. This includes tools for wholesale, point of sale, and generative AI, highlighting AI's versatility in specialized industry applications.

FundFluent

Image Credits: Meet

Lastly, hoc-trade technology Co. Ltd. from Germany introduces an AI-driven Behavioral Trading Assistant. “When most people do trades, they sometimes make decisions based on feelings or greed,” said the German co-founder and CEO Jonas Schleypen, “we use data to help them make smarter decisions, and make more money.” The tool they built analyzes trading behaviors, offering real-time alerts and insights. The German founder now moves to Taiwan, as he regards Taiwan as a perfect place to build the RD team.

What kinds of cool ideas these immigrants bring in?

In terms of cool ideas and new businesses, Thermalytica Inc. from Japan introduces TIISA, a thermal insulation material with a highly porous, lightweight structure, offering superior insulation performance across various sectors like energy, aviation, and electric vehicles. Its unique fluid-like characteristic allows for innovative design applications, setting a new standard in insulation technology.

Thermalytica

Image Credits: Meet

On the other hand, HEGS Ltd. from South Korea presents an indoor bicycle that generates electricity while being used. It takes a page from Web3 book, coming up with a new model – the bike-To-Earn model. Biking-to-earn not only promotes fitness but also enables users to produce sustainable energy, uniquely combining health and eco-friendliness, according to the startup.

Enfam. from Japan has turned media into the empowerment of motherhood. It has developed "Little Mama," a media platform for parents, offering a mix of events, information, and community building. This approach to media connects and supports parents, turning child-raising experiences into valuable skills. New ideas and businesses are a highlight of the startup festival, bringing fresh approaches to solving traditional challenges.

Healthcare startups are increasingly making a beeline for Taiwan

Taiwan appears to be one of the world's top medical care providers with advanced capabilities in biotech and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, healthcare startups regard Taiwan as a perfect launchpad. iCounseling International Company Limited, based in Hong Kong, offers online mental health solutions, including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based Interventions. These accessible programs provide evidence-based treatment, aligning with the needs of modern users seeking confidential and cost-effective mental health support.

iFlowtech

Image Credits: Meet

IFlowtech PTE Ltd from Thailand introduces Iflow, a neurotech innovation for enhancing meditation and mindfulness. Using EEG brainwave machine learning, it provides real-time feedback, helping users increase their attention span and awareness of mental states.
These healthcare startups at the Pavilion illustrate the integration of technology and innovative methods in addressing mental health, each contributing uniquely to the field's advancement.

Community partners that are ready to work with Taiwanese and overseas startups

Besides international startups, overseas community partners play a crucial role in connecting Taiwan's startups with global opportunities. Such significant community partners are Shibuya Startup Support, Jetro, Work Capital, Fukuoka Growth Next, and Team DIGI Gold Card.

Shibuya Startup Support

Image Credits: Meet

Shibuya Startup Support is a government-backed initiative that focuses on aiding international entrepreneurs in establishing and scaling their businesses in Japan. They offer a comprehensive one-stop support service, ensuring entrepreneurs have the resources and guidance they need.

Their overarching goal is to transform Shibuya into a dynamic and diverse global startup hub. By fostering a founder-first community, Shibuya Startup Support prioritizes the needs and aspirations of entrepreneurs, creating an environment where innovative ideas can flourish and cross-border collaborations can take root. Their presence at the Pavilion highlights the growing interconnectedness of the Asian startup landscape and the valuable role community partners play in this ecosystem.

Also focusing on cross-border trading, Jetro had a spot in the Global Pavilion. JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization, is also government-related, with the mission of bolstering mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. So far, they have 55 offices globally in different countries, and Taiwan is also a key market for Japanese businesses.

Work Capital Inc. offers tailored business support to Taiwanese companies seeking to enter the Japanese market. With an office in Taiwan and over 200 cross-border projects under their belt, they provide hands-on assistance, facilitating smoother market entry for Taiwanese startups in Japan.

Fukuoka City, in collaboration with Fukuoka Growth Next, is rapidly emerging as a leading startup hub in Japan. Fukuoka Growth Next provides a dynamic space where startups and supporters can meet and collaborate, fostering a thriving community for innovation and growth.

Gold Card

Image Credits: Meet

Team DIGI Gold Card, an initiative by the Ministry of Digital Affairs (moda), was launched to attract international digital talents and accelerate digital transformation in various sectors. The introduction of the “Employment Gold Card in the digital sector” on May 5, 2023, marks a significant step towards enhancing Taiwan's digital capabilities and industrial growth.

Together, these partners demonstrate the diverse and collaborative nature of the global startup ecosystem, each contributing uniquely to the development and expansion of startups in their respective regions.

〔Original :Meet Global〕
https://meet-global.bnext.com.tw/articles/view/48014