Startups showcase latest technologies in the fields of AI and big data,
IoT and smart devices, digital health and green tech at COMPUTEX TAIPEI
Looking for a wide range of potential global buyers and partners, 30 thriving startups from 10 countries are showcasing their latest technology products at the Garage+ Pavilion at Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, Booth M0430, during COMPUTEX TAIPEI.
These companies include 17 international and 13 Taiwanese startups selected from among 252 startups from 52 countries under the Epoch Foundation’s Garage+ Incubator Startup Global Program (SGP). The technologies they are displaying cover four major fields: AI and big data, IoT and smart devices, digital health, and green tech, which reflect the latest ICT trends worldwide.
With the theme of “Innovation for Tomorrow,” the Garage+ Pavilion features a unique design this year under the concept of marine imagery to show people’s respect for the ocean — the cradle of life. It also symbolizes the importance of marine ecology and conservation.
According to the organizers, more than 40,000 international buyers are expected to make use of the trading platform provided by COMPUTEX TAIPEI to look for business and partnership opportunities during the event.
The 30 startups are scheduled to have over 140 intensive, one-on-one meetings with 28 leading companies and venture capital firms, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Delta Electronics Inc., Quanta Computer Inc., Wistron Corp., Advantech Co., MediaTek Inc., Acer Inc., Auto21, AU Optronics Corp., Logitech International SA and CDIB Capital International.
In addition to meeting decision makers from those companies for possible business cooperation, investment, partnership or market development opportunities, representatives of the 30 startups are also using the opportunity at COMPUTEX TAIPEI to visit various booths related to their businesses and to share new concepts and trends with others.
Many of the startups attending the event this year come from different regions, such as Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
They were selected through Epoch’s SGP — which is in its eighth year — under the strict criteria that they need to be highly marketable in their industry and skilled in solving technology problems. Chosen because of their trend-setting and innovative business models, these startups are considered capable of integrating with Taiwan’s industry and likely to break into the global market at the same time.
Since 2015, SGP — held twice a year — has received over 1,200 applications from 63
countries. So far, 108 international startups have been selected and one-third of them have established collaborations with Taiwan’s leading corporations, attracted investment or set up branches in Taiwan through the Epoch Foundation’s connections.
More than 10 international startups set up branches in Taiwan after joining the program, including Lucid VR Inc., Verdigris Technologies Inc. and PlayDate Inc.
One of the successful cases is Sorama, which supplies unique high-resolution sound cameras and noise and vibration control services. The Dutch company, which joined the SPG in 2016, has collaborated with more than 10 Taiwanese enterprises and has acquired a market presence in Taiwan and Japan. Just in April, Sorama set up a business partnership with Fluke Corp. to detect compressed air leaks, making it a great example of how Taiwan can serve as Asia’s hub for global startups to make the leap into the Asian market.
Meet the startups
Meanwhile, US-based Verdigris Technologies is among the 30 startups taking part in COMPUTEX TAIPEI this year. Its AI-based IoT energy sensor for critical buildings has been used to identify more than 50% savings on energy costs while providing valuable insights to predict downtime and equipment failure. Clients include Jabil Inc., Bechtel Corp, Flextronics Corp., Nvidia Corp., Hyatt Hotels Corp., Marriott International and Parkview Hotel.
Israel’s Betalin Therapeutics Ltd.’s diabetes treatment aims to replace insulin therapy for millions of patients. It has created a completely natural biological micro-scaffold, providing an optimal environment for cells to grow and function properly. Transplants will be more successful because harvested cells thrive in its Engineered Micro Pancreas and, in turn, integrate into the recipient’s body much more readily.
Taiwan’s Partilink Inc. specializes in developing advanced video extension (encoder/decoder) and converting technology. Its 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 multiviewer and video wall processor series has advanced specifications that have drawn the attention of the world’s tier-1 and tier-2 brand players. Partilink’s product strategy focuses on differentiation through an advanced product line and specifications.
Canada’s Deeplite is an AI software startup dedicated to solving fundamental challenges with accessible and energy-efficient deep learning. It provides an AI-driven optimizer to make deep neural networks faster, smaller, and more energy efficient from cloud to edge computing. Its vision is to make powerful deep learning and AI technologies more accessible and affordable to benefit everyone’s daily life.
UK-based AMPLYFI Ltd. transforms strategic decision-making and keeps organizations competitive by enabling them to unlock the entire internet using AI, thereby enhancing their business intelligence and market research ability. AMPLYFI’s technologies have been used across industries and sectors by companies, governments, academia, and security services.
France’s TiHive Tech has created the world’s smallest camera that sees through a broad number of materials to detect defects the moment they appear. The modular and miniature camera uses in-house breakthrough imaging terahertz technology, fabricated using an advanced CMOS process, and is ready for machine learning and connection to other TiHive cameras, acting as a distributed IoT imaging platform.
