One of the biggest challenges for local startup companies is looking for a platform where they can show and realize their dreams of making it big someday. To do this in an international market is an even bigger dream and equally challenging one.
The Taipei Entrepreneurs Hub (TEH) opened the door for local startups with its 2024 AI+ Taipei Startup Pitch Contest set in October this year.
Announced during its Rock’n Taipei T.E.H.: Gateway to Taiwan Innovation System event held recently, the competition aims to encourage local startup companies to start their adventure and journey to success in Taiwan.
“[Rock’n Taipei] highlights the rich opportunities in Taipei for startups [aiming] to scale globally. Taipei is actively shaping the global startup landscape,” said Jonathan Liao, Managing Director of International Talent Taiwan Office.
To make this possible, TEH offers a total of NT$50,000 to cover the finalists’ round trip tickets to Taipei and accommodation expenses.
The contest is open to Philippine-based startups that have been involved in the AI industry in the last eight years. Their products or services should provide solid solutions with collaboration potential and must have a strong strategic plan for business development in Taipei.
“In addition to making their companies known to the Taiwanese ecosystem and other international markets as well, the finalists will also be able to interact with possible partners and investors in Taiwan. These connections will be very crucial to the success of these startup companies in the immediate future,” added Liao.
A total of 10 startup companies in the country will be chosen to enter the final selection in which two winners will eventually represent the Philippines in Taipei.
Philippine-based startup companies will have until June 28, 2024 to submit their proposals.
Established in 2021, TEH is a government-supported international community in Taipei. It aims to support foreign startups to soft-land in Taipei through online/offline programs such as networking events, bootcamps, pitch contests, matchmaking and Demo Day.
Aside from launching the startup pitch contest, TEH also gave an immersive peek of Taiwan’s ever expanding startup community with representatives from the Taiwanese government and successful startup companies such as FunNow, Eatigo and Gogolook sharing their experiences and success stories in being a part of the thriving Taiwanese tech ecosystem for the past several years.
Several local startup companies including Smile API, Packworks and Digiteer, have also made their pitch during the event.
Smile API seeks to help millions in Southeast Asia gain means to financial assistance and other opportunities due to the lack of credit while Packworks aims to help MSMEs in Southeast Asia by giving them access to digital platforms and financial services.
Digiteer, on the other hand, presented its pitch on how to launch a new startup every three months using revenues generated from its custom software development service and its partnerships with other startups.