Okinawa Innovation Award Returns to InnoVEX 2025 Pitch Contest, Prize Increased to JPY 2.85 Million to Drive Startup Expansion in Japan

InnoVEX will once again partner with the ResorTech EXPO in Okinawa Executive Committee to help support and promote startups looking to expand into the Japanese market. This partnership includes sponsorship for the Okinawa Innovation Award and presence in the InnoVEX showgrounds as part of the Japan Pavilion.

The Okinawa Innovation Award will be awarded to 1 winner who will receive a combination of cash prize as well as professional resources valued at a total of JPY 2.85 million (equivalent to approximately USD 18,750 as of the time of writing); making it the largest InnoVEX Pitch Contest award sponsored by the ResorTech EXPO in Okinawa Executive Committee yet. The prize consists of JPY 200,000 cash prize, JPY 300,000 travel subsidy to attend ResorTech EXPO 2025 and CEATEC 2025.

Check out the press release to learn the details of the awards and a live story from last year’s winner.

>>https://innovex.computex.biz/show/newsReleaseDetails.aspx?newsId=684

The InnoVEX 2025 Pitch Contest will open until April 25th. Non-exhibiting teams can now join the Pitch Contest (with a registration fee), while InnoVEX exhibitors compete for FREE!

The final batch of the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC) will be open for registration on March 26!

ICTGC is organized by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) of the Taiwanese government, which is a strategic initiative aimed at driving innovation in the semiconductor industry, with a focus not only on IC applications but also on system integration and AI solutions. This pitch contest is one of the largest in Taiwan, offering the winners a grand prize of $30,000 US Dollars. Participants will also gain access to cutting-edge resources such as EDA tools and IC design support, along with collaboration opportunities with industry giants including TSMC, MediaTek, and UMC.

< Who Can Apply >
Startups established within 8 years from the date of application, research institutions, or individuals working in the following fields can register for the competition:

● AI Core technologies & Chips, including applications in AI chip design, Hardware acceleration, and Cybersecurity.
● Smart Mobility, including applications in Communications/Satellite and Electric Vehicles.
● Smart Manufacturing, including applications in IC Process, Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing.
● Smart Medtech, including applications in Biometrics, Smart Monitoring, and e-Health.
● Sustainability, including applications in Sustainable Manufacturing, Energy Saving Innovation and New Energy.

For more information and to register: https://ictaiwanchallenge.org/

CONNECTED on TaiwanPlus: Navigating the Pitching Roadmap

Startups embark on tens or hundreds of pitches throughout their journey. Yet only one percent of pitches succeed in winning any funding. Uncovering the secrets to pitching – and perfecting it – could well determine a startup’s success.

This episode of “Connected” on TaiwanPlus features two industry veterans who their experience in pitching and mentoring startups: Volker Heistermann, venture builder, investor and co-founder of Mosaic Venture Lab, and Bill Padfield, CEO and founding advisor of Salamander Advisory Services. Further insights from the startup perspective is provided by Yusan Lin, founder of Mirror Mirror AI. In collaboration with TaiwanPlus, InnoVEX is delighted to provide CONNECTED’s tech and startup series in this newsletter.

In collaboration with TaiwanPlus, InnoVEX is delighted to provide CONNECTED’s tech and startup series in this newsletter.

Click below to watch >> "Why 99% of Startup Pitches Fail (And How to Succeed)" On YouTube and TaiwanPlus
Source: TaiwanPlus

About CONNECTED on TaiwanPlus: Hosted by Emmy-nominated journalist and anchor Divya Gopalan, CONNECTED explores tech, startups and other topics shaping our world. Also streamed on YouTube, the news program features expert guests connecting the Taiwan and global perspectives. TaiwanPlus is a global news and infotainment streaming platform serving audiences worldwide.

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