NSTC, IFA launch corporate-driven startup competition

2024/09/10

Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council has teamed up with Berlin-based IFA to launch the first corporate-driven startup competition enhancing international cooperation on artificial intelligence and promoting global prosperity.
 
The announcement was made by NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen at a press conference themed “AI for All, Partners to Be” Sept. 5 in the German capital on the eve of the opening of IFA 2024. Running through Sept. 10, the event is widely hailed as the largest consumer electronics exhibition in Europe, according to the NSTC.
 
During the press event, Wu stressed the importance of high-tech cooperation between Taiwan and Europe and cited as a milestone development the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement concluded by Taiwan and Germany in March 2023, the first such pact signed between Taiwan and a European country.
 
The minister highlighted Taiwan’s contribution to the global economy through its semiconductor industry and the country’s key role in driving the AI revolution. The NSTC is taking part in IFA for the first time this year, a move in line with President Lai Ching-te’s vision of transforming Taiwan into an AI island, he said.
 
According to Wu, the inaugural competition is being staged at the IFA NEXT startup area. Themed “Unveiling the Mysteries of AI” and focusing on the needs of Taiwanese enterprises, the contest invites startups from all over the world to propose solutions that leverage the country’s robust supply chain to ensure that new products and services can enter the market.
 
In related news, the NSTC is accepting global proposals till Jan. 31, 2025, for the second round of its IC Taiwan Grand Challenge. The contest was launched in May this year to showcase Taiwan’s leading IC startup cluster, the NSTC said, adding that winning teams will be invited to set up shop in Taiwan and gain access to funding to advance chip innovations.
 
The six winning teams from the 1st round of the competition, based in Taiwan, Israel, the U.K. and U.S., will be honored at the Taiwan Innotech Expo set to take place Oct. 17-19 in Taipei City, the NSTC said.


Source:  Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)