Space exploration is not only a dream of mankind, but has also played an important role in driving innovation and progress in cutting-edge technology. Therefore, achievements in space technology are considered an indicator of national prestige and national strength. To comply with Taiwan’s policy of grasping the development trends of the global space industry and building a solid space industry foundation, the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Agency (SMESA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs is sponsoring the International Space Technology Startup Support Program as part of the Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+). Planned and implemented by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the program aims to achieve three goals: attracting international space startup talent to Taiwan, assisting Taiwan-based space startups to explore business opportunities and enter the global market, and bridging the gap between corporate-startup partnerships and global market expansion.
To achieve the first goal of attracting international space startup talent to Taiwan, ITRI will collaborate with international startup accelerators and incubators to invite overseas space startups with mature and key technologies to Taiwan. ITRI will provide hosting, education and matchmaking services, and help them build connections with Taiwan’s space industry and participate in space technology exhibitions.
To achieve the second goal of helping Taiwan-based space startups explore business opportunities and enter the global market, ITRI will pair Taiwan-based space startups with overseas mentors to guide them in optimizing their business models and expanding their businesses. ITRI will also collaborate with international startup accelerators and incubators to help Taiwan-based space startups enter the global market.
With the ultimate goal of connecting corporations and startups to build partnerships and expand the global market, ITRI strives to match up overseas startups with domestic industries, which not only promotes collaboration and communication between the two parties but also helps Taiwan-based startups penetrate the global space industry ecosystem.
Taiwan’s Formosat 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 missions were successfully completed through the joint efforts of government, industry, academia and research institutes, laying a solid foundation for indigenous satellite development. This demonstrates that Taiwan has the capability to domestically manufacture satellites and sounding rockets. More importantly, Taiwan has a team of excellent aerospace engineers and experts. The Taiwanese government has positioned the space industry as one of its six core strategic industries, aiming to continuously promote the advancement of space technology and industrial development, and establish a presence in the global market.
Right from its inception, the 2023 International Space Tech Startup Support Program attracted significant interest from promising space startups around the world, with a total of 16 teams selected from Taiwan, including Germany-based deltaVision GmbH in the satellite manufacturing sector, India-based Vellon Space in the launch services sector, and Czech Republic-based Hikade Technologies in the satellite services sector. The 2023 International Space Tech Startup Support Program culminated in the signing of six MOUs, connecting global startups with Taiwan’s space sector. These startups held more than 300 discussions with local suppliers at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, injecting vitality and fresh perspectives into Taiwan’s aerospace community.
Taking into account input from Taiwan’s space supply chain, SMESA decided to focus on satellite manufacturing system integration, sensing and imaging technologies for satellite applications, and critical components for rocket manufacturing/launch in the International Space Technology Startup Support Program 2024. The aim is to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in IC design, satellite manufacturing, ground equipment, and startup ecosystem to build expertise and experience in the space sector.
Given the progress of space technology development around the world, the 2024 program will focus on relatively mature startup teams from Europe, India and Japan. Following the success of the 2023 program, SMESA hopes to invite 10 overseas startup teams to Taiwan this year and to sign at least two partnership agreements with Taiwan-based companies.
Taiwan has a strong foundation and strong track record in the fields of semiconductors, information and communications technology, and precision machinery, as well as the domestic development and manufacturing capabilities of satellites and rockets. These two forces will give Taiwan a leg up in the global space race and become an important growth engine for the Taiwanese economy.
For more information, please visit https://taccplus.com/en/international-program/.
Applications now open for the International Space Technology Startup Support Program 2024
Photo: ITRI
