Garage+加速器, a zero-equity incubator, sponsored by an NPO, Epoch Foundation時代基金會 in Taiwan, will launch “Startup Global Program 2nd batch” this October for the entrepreneurs and startups who are interested in developing business in the Asia market or looking for partners and investors in Asia. The program will sponsor fellows from qualified startups to visit Taiwan for 10 days. The Foundation will cover the flight tickets and accommodation, and facilitate startups to participate in a series of activities to meet up with international companies, investors and business partners. Also, Garage+ will host the program networking events in New York and Boston on Sep. 7th and Sep. 13th.
The 2016 Startup Global Program 1st batch had received applications from 58 teams from 19 countries in July. The 15 selected finalists were from the US, the Netherlands, Italy, India and five other countries. Epoch Foundation acts as a bridge connecting the global startups with the local, top leading corporations such as TSMC, Quanta, Delta Electronics, Wistron, MediaTek, ELAN Microelectronics, Advantech Corporation. 65 individual meetings had taken place for further discussion on potential opportunities. Many of the companies think that the Startup Global Program fellows’ creativity in innovation and business teams could lead to cooperation toward a bright future.
Cooperation between global startups and local industries are deemed successful. One of the successful stories is the cooperation between Quanta Research Institute and Canada’s startup ImmerVision. Quanta and ImmerVision together have produced the world’s first ever 360 degrees camera with a high resolution. ImmerVision claims that Quanta were the main driver to make the product such a fast outcome. Epoch Foundation points out not only are OEM and ODM strengths in Taiwan, but also the multiple competencies are resources that startups consider Taiwan to have. EMBR Labs from MIT, co-founder, Sam Shames has expressed his gratitude to Epoch Foundation and Garage +, stating that they will definitely sustain a long lasting partnership with Taiwan. Likewise, Qnext from Canada has also expressed how much they appreciate this opportunity. They stated, “We have been to a famous accelerator in Silicon Valley, however, Garage + provides us with much more opportunities. The provided network and connections to the top leading industries in Taiwan are incredible, and these are exactly what startups needed the most.” Each startup had at least 2-5 cooperation opportunities through negotiations. Their final achievements were announced in “Startup Global Program 1st batch”
“Startup Global Program 2nd Batch will start on Sep. 4th and close on Oct. 23rd. The Foundation welcomes all startups to apply and discover the opportunities in Taiwan.