New Taipei entrepreneurs flex innovation muscle

2015-03-18

An Apple Inc. MFi-certified multimedia storage device created by a New Taipei City tech startup with the support of crowdfunding looks set to take the market by storm and reaffirm Taiwan’s reputation as an island of innovation.

Launched earlier this month by Maktar Inc., Piconizer notched up pre-orders of 8,000 units totaling NT$22 million (US$693,744) in one week. This builds upon the early promise indicated by pledges of US$65,000 during the device’s November and December 2014 offering via U.S.-based Kickstarter Inc.

Maktar co-founder Mactaris Chen said Piconizer is 30 percent cheaper than its competitors and boasts a faster transmission speed and friendlier user interface. “Most data storage devices are basically USB flash drives only working on a computer. Our device is different in that it functions independently and can free memory space in a handset right away.”

According to Chen, a software developer with 20 years’ experience, the device is Maktar’s first commercial product and the majority of profits are to be pumped back into the company to finance further development projects.

Echoing Chen’s remarks, Tahan Lin—a local crowdfunding specialist who helped organize Maktar’s presale promotion—said the beauty of Piconizer is in its ease of operation. “Just plug it in to an iPhone and a corresponding app will launch automatically and download selected photos or videos to the gadget or a computer, freeing up precious space on the handset.”

Lin said the device is locally developed and all production will remain in Taiwan. “This should be a strong selling point when Maktar ramps up marketing activity in East Asia later this year.”

Although Maktar has only been in existence for 12 months, co-founder Milton Tsai said the outfit looks to have avoided the majority of teething problems affecting similar firms. He cites support of incubation consultants Garage Plus in Taipei City, as well the contributions of his eclectic team of designers, software developers and hardware engineers, as playing an invaluable role in the process.

“We are a passionate bunch focused on creating cool, innovative hardware and software impacting how consumers use technology.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=228361&CtNode=413)