The innovation hub of Asia, InnoVEX 2023 returns from May 30 to Jun 2 in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2. The event will focus on AI, 5G, IoT, biomedical, healthcare, vehicle tech, metaverse, cybersecurity, ESG, and other digital transformation & innovative solutions. InnoVEX 2023 is held concurrently with Asia’s leading B2B ICT trade show, COMPUTEX TAIPEI and is expected to gather 15000 visitors to experience the spirit of innovation that only startups can provide.

InnoVEX 2023 was officially opened with a speech by Paul SL Peng, the chairman of the co-organizer, Taipei Computer Association (TCA). In his speech, Chairman Peng stated that InnoVEX 2023 has gathered 400 startups from 22 countries and regions in the exhibition; with 9 pavilions organized by international trade offices and organizations, 7 pavilions organized by government agencies. InnoVEX 2023 will hold 40 international forums discussing emerging trends such as vehicle tech, metaverse, ESG, and more. As international travel resume, this year InnoVEX invited speakers representing the AI chip design unicorn Tenstorrent (Canada), Volkswagen (Germany), Continental AG (Germany), Renesas (Japan), SUBARU (Japan), ALPS ALPINE (Japan), KDDI (Japan), Nasscom (India), and other representatives from leading companies who came to Taiwan to deliver share their insights in person.

In addition, 80 demo pitch sessions will be held during InnoVEX to help promote startups and connect them with potential investors, partners, and buyers. This year also marks the return of InnoVEX Night Party to provide an open platform for a more genuine interaction between the participating startups and the invited VIPs; ranging from forum speakers, VCs, CVCs, business leaders, and even representatives from government bodies, corporates, trade office, and more.

The InnoVEX 2023 Pitch Contest prize pool is valued at USD 120,000 with prizes ranging from cash prizes, networking opportunities, professional services/ resources, and more. 10 startups from Taiwan, Canada, South Korea, and Japan were selected to proceed to the final stage on the InnoVEX Pi Stage at June 2, 13:00 – 15:10. The categories of the finalists include 5G & IoT, AI & Big Data, Healthcare & Biotech, and Manufacturing Technology that represent the industry’s main interests.

The finalists will pitch onsite to the judges, including: Ravi Belani, a Co-Founder of Alchemist Accelerator (US); Tom Vanhoutte, the founder and managing partner of imec.xpand (Belgium); Michel Chu, President/CEO of ITIC (Taiwan); Jason Lu, Director of Darwin Ventures (Taiwan); and Alyssa Chen, Principal of AppWorks (Taiwan). The winners of the Pitch Contest will be announced on the same day at June 2, 16:00 – 17:00 on the InnoVEX Center Stage and the Award Ceremony will be held at the same time.

Over 20 Domestic & International Pavilions Showcase Global Innovations

TCA stated that the main advantages of InnoVEX are the international innovation and entrepreneurship it promotes. This year, international pavilions organized by trade offices representing Japan, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Brazil, and Israel, as well as international organizations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), etc. to promote their countries’ unique innovations and service capabilities. InnoVEX 2023 features a number of pavilions organized by Japanese organizations such as the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA), Okinawa Prefectural Government, Tamana City Hall, Platform for All Regions of Kyushu & Okinawa for Startup-ecosystem (PARKS), Fukuoka StartupGoGo, and more.

The pavilions organized by Taiwanese organizations include the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SMEA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) (the pavilion will be joined by members of the Linkou Startup Terrace, Yawan Startup Terrace, TAcc+, IAPS A2T program, Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park Incubation Center, and more); Garage+, Taiwan Research-Institute Entrepreneur Ecosystem Program (TREE Program); Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA); StarFab; Nankang IC Design Incubation Center; Yilan Science Park; Southern Taiwan Innovation & Startup in Tainan (STIST); GISA Theme Pavilion; National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU); Global Industry Platform of NTU System (T5GIP); Baogao Digibase; Tcloud Marketplace; FarEasTone Telecom Startups Accelerator, and more. Members of the pavilion will showcase comprehensive industrial digital transformation solutions, technological innovations, and results of industry-specific R&D projects.

Global Startups Showcase Digital Transformation Solutions for Various Applications

TCA stated that the main purposes of startups include solving pain points in industrial digital transformation and creating new business opportunities. Every year, InnoVEX is joined by many professionals and investors; attracting startups both domestic and international to join and showcase their innovations. This year, InnoVEX is joined by startups and organizations including Adesso, AOJIE Science & Technology, BlockChain Security, ChoozMo, ColTec, Digit Spark, eYs3D, FineTech ITS, Haptik, HSUN WEALTH, INTOPIX, IsCoolLab, MEGAONE, Microip, NanoWired GmbH, nextEDGE, NUWA, Pentium Network, PlusBlocks, Sield eXtreme, Snowbridge, Swipecool, TeamRed Labs, TranX, TZU KEN WU SHUANG, Vasee, Xallcom, XR Central, XROUND, ZOTECH, SURREAL, VCCI Council, Japan Utility Telemetering Association (JUTA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and more.

Paul SL Peng: Startups Must be Realistic to Succeed

In his speech, the Chairman of TCA, Mr. Paul SL Peng stated that since it first started in 2016, InnoVEX is positioned as the innovation hub of Asia and is held concurrently with COMPUTEX to connect startups with leading technology companies. Taiwan’s ICT industry is a vital partner to the world’s major technology companies. Many startups can find mass producers and international marketing partners in InnoVEX. By participating in the Pitch Contest as well as other demo and pitch events, the startups can also find opportunities to connect and partner up with VCs and CVCs.

Mr. Peng shared that for a startup to succeed, they must first be realistic and not too idealistic. Many startups are lacking in marketing and cannot pass the market test. For this, Taiwan’s major technology companies have become the best partners. Taiwan is one of the most vital supply chains for the global IoT industry, including smart manufacturing, smart retail, smart factory, smart medical, in-home care, smart transportation, smart agriculture, and even smart cities; you can find the corresponding companies in COMPUTEX.

If startups can successfully collaborate with major technology companies, pass the market test, and be validated; they will be able to utilize the international channels of the major technology companies to accelerate the expansion of business opportunities in both the local and international markets.

About InnoVEX

Started in 2016, InnoVEX is a startup focused exhibition organized by Taipei Computer Association (TCA) and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). Positioned as the innovation hub of Asia, InnoVEX is held alongside Asia’s leading ICT B2B Tradeshow, COMPUTEX; to connect startups and their innovations to global VCs, CVCs, manufacturing partners, buyers, and media.

InnoVEX 2023 will be held onsite from May 30 to June 2, 2023 in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2. The visitor registration is open now. Get your visitor badge here today! Interested parties can also follow InnoVEX in various social media channels.

Follow the InnoVEX Social Media channels for more news and updates:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/computexinnovex
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InnoVEX3
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovextaipei/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/InnoVEX_taipei/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovex_taipei/