8 Highlights to Remember From InnoVEX 2019
The energy and ambition of nearly 500 startups were palpable at this years’ InnoVEX event. From the early hours of Wednesday morning, both local and international tech companies scrambled to arrange booths, prepare speeches, and perfect their pitches. For many entrepreneurs over this three-day period, InnoVEX was to be a life-changing event.
Because so many events occurred simultaneously at InnoVEX both on stage and off, we have captured the best moments from all three days.
The Opening Ceremony
The InnoVEX opening ceremony started off with music and performances by Formosa Circus. Shortly after, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang, Minister of Science and Technology (MoST) Chen Liang-gee, and John Jorritsma, Mayor of the Eindhoven welcomed the international and local companies as well as numerous investors. Visitors from 25 countries attended the event to display their top innovations.
The Speakers
Several incredible minds from around the world were brought together under one roof including Ravi Belani, Co-founder and Managing Director of Alchemist, Amit Pradhan of the Silicon Valley Blockchain Society, and Zvika Popper, VP of Strategy at HYPE Sports Innovation. Taiwan Tech Arena’s very own Dr. Lewis Chen and French Tech Taiwan’s Laurent Le Guyader also took to the stage to contribute their own insights and observations. In total, InnoVEX had more than forty speakers all with their own incredible backgrounds. A list of all speakers at this year’s event can be found at
The Speeches
While all speakers were dynamic in their own right, the speeches contributed by Ravi Belani, Amit Pradhan, Ravi Belani, Dominik Schiener, and Dr. Min Sun carried a certain weight that was unmatched and deeply satisfying.
Topics varied from Sportstech to Biomedical Innovations, but each speaker had their own way of making the information uniquely personal and applicable. Amit Pradhan’s speech, for example, was positioned towards AI and Taiwan’s unique role in the startup and tech field. With so many programs and initiatives like Taiwan Tech Arena supporting startups, Mr. Pradhan stated that Taiwan “should not be another drop in the ocean, but instead be an ocean (of knowledge, innovation, etc…) in a single drop.”
The Panel Discussions
No event on stage at InnoVEX2019 was more thought-provoking than the panel discussions. It was insightful to witness various perspectives on AI, Biotech, Blockchain, IoT, Smart Machinery, and Sportstech. Although each forum branched off as many speakers voiced their impassioned opinions on subjects, the conversation would always come around full-circle as to how we can make Taiwan more globalized in these industries.
The Matchmaking
The highlight of InnoVEX day two was the InnoVEX Matchmaking event powered by TTA x TIEC, which brought startups and investors together. After giving short pitches, investors would get the chance to take a seat with startups they knew had potential and talk about future prospects.
Altogether, over 200 matchmaking sessions were initiated during the event with VCs from all parts of the globe engaging in the “speed dating” event.
The Displays
Aesthetics at this year’s InnoVEX event did not disappoint. Taiwan Tech Arena’s pavilion was centrally located between the Main and PI stages with displays from all startups dominating the center floor. Additional pavilions included La French Tech, Startup Terrace, Holland Startup Lounge, Slingshot Philippines Pavilion, and more.
Pitch Contests
Judges for the pitch contests included previously mentioned Ravi Belani and Amit Pradhan, Shinzo Nakano, President and CEO of Itoju Technology Ventures, and David Wang, CEO of Taiwania Capital Management Company.
In the span of only a few short minutes, teams must be able to express the value and worth of their companies to potential investors. While many would have been shaken under the pressure, each startup performed extraordinarily well.
Awards
The Taiwan Tech Award worth 100,000 USD (The grand prize at InnoVEX 2019) was given to MedFluid, a biotech startup that focuses on using microfluidics to improve healthcare quality.
The Taiwania Capital Innovation Award worth 10,000 USD was given to MTAMTech, a biotech startup that aims to resolve issues with the ineffective treatment of cancer patients.
Ganzin Technology won the Qualcomm Innovation Award worth 10,000 USD. Ganzin Technology created a highly precise eye-tracking module with a small form factor and minimum power requirements.
Four TTA teams (Lucid, Studio 1 Labs, Weavair, and Singularity & Infinity) took home the prestigious Audi Innovation Award, an award that “seeks to empower startups with innovative solutions that impact our daily lives and shape the future of smart mobility.”
In total, over $350,000 USD worth of prizes were distributed at InnoVEX
Innovex is an exhibition by Computex that focuses on IoT, ICT, and startup trade shows and is designed to match startups with VCs, investors, and accelerators. TTA is keen to enhance the tech startup global ecosystem in the field of AI, software and semi conductors and is looking forward to participating at InnoVEX 2020.
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The author, Dustin Craft, is a freelance writer with a background in communication and international business. His main topics are on business and travel.
