Are TTA’s Accelerator Programs the Right Fit for Your Startup?
Back in September 2018, Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) opened its doors to the public for the purpose of furthering startup innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of this initiative, accelerator programs took root at TTA to provide mentorship, financing, and education for early-stage startups. Now, Taiwan Tech Arena houses four accelerator programs with more on the way. Here is a breakdown of TTA’s Accelerator Programs and the types of startups they are looking for to join their ranks.
BE Accelerator
BE Accelerator’s focus is on Healthtech and Medtech. The program is backed by investment companies BE Capital and Daren Medical Group. Major focal points for BE Accelerator are smart hospitals, health management, drug discovery, surgical instruments, advanced biomaterial, delivery platforms, and more. Currently, BE Accelerator is on their third batch of cohorts with over USD $8million in capital raised and a total of 19 startups accelerated. Apart from funding, BE Accelerator also offers mentorship from top physicians and professors. Taiwan is ranked Top 10 in Bloomberg Health Care Efficiency Index.
Previous Startups
Successful startups benefitting from BE Accelerator include Diabnext, Modar AI, PenguinSmart, Studio1Labs, and WeavAir.
How to Apply
Startups in the field of medical technology can inquire with BE Accelerator at http://www.beaccelerator.com.tw/. BE Accelerator offers a four-month venture building program.
IAPS
IAPS is a university-owned accelerator focusing on building a startup ecosystem by connection corporations and overseas partners; IAPS also assists with matchmaking, patent licensing, pitching, and academic collaboration. To date, the program has accelerated over 500 startups. There are three programs currently opening for applications:
- IAPS@TTA Batch III Residency Program aims to connect startups to the global market and provides investment and business opportunities.
- Japan Accelerator Program is for seed or early-stage startups looking for investment opportunities in Japan by providing mentorship, match-making opportunities, networking with venture capitalists, and co-working space.
- Food Accelerator Program is looking for food-tech & agri-tech startups established within 5 years who are planning to expand to the Southeast Asia market.
Previous Startups
Companies that have directly benefitted from IAPS include Alchema, Biilabs, KitchBot, and more.
How to Apply
IAPS Accelerator programs typically last three months. Startups interested in applying to IAPS can visit
MOX (Mobile Only Accelerator)
MOX has a pretty impressive track record. The company is the world’s first mobile-only accelerator and focuses solely on mobile applications. The accelerator is backed by global venture capital firm SOSV and provides investment in return for revenue share and equity. The program helps startups via tech integration, optimization, and promotion and boasts over three hundred mentors.
Previous Startups
Startups benefitting from MOX include BigGo, PRIMO, flickstree, UNL://, and more.
How to Apply
Those with mobile applications interested in applying to the MOX Accelerator Program can do so by visiting the link below and giving a short description of your company.
SparkLabs Taipei
SparkLabs Taipei has just finished up an impressive second Demo Day and cohort 3 is now open for application. The Accelerator program is to help entrepreneurs go big and go global focusses on IoT, AI, VR/AR, Fin-Tech, Cyber Security, and other technology industries. With the assistance of SparkLabs Taipei’s mentors like Chih-Han Yu from Appier, Dan Wong from Rokid, and etc. startups will have the opportunity to learn from the best and develop their business beyond Taiwan.
Previous Startups
The accelerator program has helped groom the likes of IoT solution FOX-TECH, and sports tech company ViaSweat.
How to Apply
SparkLabs Taipei’s Accelerator program lasts for three months and is currently recruiting, find out more information as below:
Additional Programs at TTA
FITI
FITI stands for From IP to IPO Program. It is one of the flagship programs of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) that provides consulting services which help early-stage startups grow.
Companies seeking assistance with growth and development would benefit from many services provided by FITI.
To learn more about FITI, visit https://fiti.stpi.narl.org.tw/index
TSI
The Taiwan Startup Institute (TSI) helps academic research groups become full-fledged businesses. TSI provides mentorship and training to R&D groups and can connect future businesses with contacts at home and abroad. To date, TSI has helped establish 47 startups and contributed to several major projects in Taiwan.
Professors or researchers desiring to turn their work into a business can inquire with TSI at https://www.tsi.center/en.
TITAN
TITAN stands for Taiwan Innovation and Technology Arena. The program is a flagship project by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and is meant to boost diversity within Taiwan by bringing in talent from around the world. TITAN believes that Taiwan is the ideal location for startups with its multiple tech industries, solid supply chain, and abundance of high-quality talent. The program provides startups with mentorship, office space, and expertise to scale quickly.
Startups outside Taiwan looking for assistance transitioning and setting up their business abroad can contact TITAN.
Applications for TITAN can be found at https://www.titan.org.tw/
TIEC
The Taiwan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) is another project by the Ministry of Science and Technology meant to help startups realize their goals. The program provides a US $20,000 grant to selected startups, provides mentoring, and consultation. TIEC also holds its Startup Subsidy Program twice a year for startups seeking international recognition. Judges from Taiwan and Silicon Valley select the most promising startups and those startups are subsidized and provided with resources based upon their specific milestones.
Early-stage startups looking to get their foot in the door should visit TIEC at https://www.tiectw.com/
