InnoVEX 2019 officially started today, on May 29. This year, 467 startups from 25 countries and regions representing 7 major industries, over 40 speakers, and more than 500 global investors will join the event. InnoVEX will hold exhibitions, pitch contests, matchmaking sessions, forums, and more. The prize pool for this year’s pitch contest is totaled USD 420,000 from InnoVEX sponsors, both government and private corporations.
The opening ceremony began with a performance by Formosa Circus Arts (FOCA) under the title “The Greatest Showman” and was joined by many representatives from Taiwan government and overseas trade offices.
The opening speech was done by Mr. Su Tseng-chang, Premier of Executive Yuan of Republic of China (Taiwan). In his opening speech, Premier Su of the Executive Yuan said that a report according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2018 showed that Taiwan's global competitiveness is tied to Germany, US, and Switzerland. Taiwan's intellectual property rights and patent protection efforts have been recognized and greatly valued by the international community; making Taiwan a reliable partner of the global high-tech industry. Premier Su also stated that during InnoVEX, visitors can find various innovative technologies such as smart medical, green tech, AR/ VR, as well as various segments of Taiwan's ICT ecosystem. InnoVEX is a good representation of Taiwan's scientific and technological strengths.
As one of the co-organizers of InnoVEX, Taipei Computer Association (TCA) stated that the top 5 industries of the startups are: AI, IoT, Health & Biotech, AR/VR/XR, and Consumer Tech. The forum themes were also adjusted to fit the ICT trends of today. The speakers will give keynote speeches and join panel discussions on these 7 major themes: AI, Biotech, Blockchain, IoT Application, Smart Machinery, Sports Tech, and Startup Ecosystem. In total, over 20,000 visitors are expected to join InnoVEX 2019.
The VIPs who joined the opening ceremony are:
Mr. Tseng-Chang SU, Premier of Executive Yuan of Republic of China (Taiwan)
Mr. James C. F. HUANG, Chairman, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
Mr. T.H. Tung, Organizer of COMPUTEX and InnoVEX, Chairman of Taipei Computer Association
Ms. Kolas Yotaka, Spokesperson of Executive Yuan of Republic of China (Taiwan)
Mr. Liang-Gee CHEN, Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology
Ms. Karen Yu, Legislators of Legislative Yuan, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Ms. Mei-Hua Wang, The Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs
Mr. Chyou-Huey Chiou, Director General of Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration & Science Park Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology
Ms. Wen-Ling SU, Deputy Director General of Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Mr. Yu-Dian, Xu, Deputy Mayor, Tainan City Government
Mr. Yu-Hsien Lin, Secretary General of New Taipei City Government
Mr. Jyun-Ming Ciou, Deputy Secretary General of Taoyuan City Government
Mr. Chung-chieh Lin, The Commissioner of Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government
Mr. Eric Bothorel, Deputy at the French Assemblée Nationale
Mr. John Jorritsma, Mayor of Eindhoven, Netherlands