Not only has space exploration been a dream of humankind, but it has also played a crucial role driving the innovation and advancement of cutting-edge technologies. Space technology achievements are therefore seen as an indicator of national prestige and power. To keep abreast of the global space industry development trends and to comply with Taiwan's policies to build a solid space industry foundation, the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SMESA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs sponsors the International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program, which is part of Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+). Organized and executed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the program is aimed to achieve three goals: attracting international space startup talents to Taiwan, helping Taiwan-based space startups explore business opportunities and tap global markets, and bridging enterprises with startups for partnerships and global market expansions.
To achieve the first goal of attracting international space startup talents to Taiwan, ITRI works with international startup accelerators and incubators and selects foreign space startups with mature critical technologies to come to Taiwan. ITRI provides them reception, education and matchmaking services while helping them connect 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 tap global markets, ITRI plans to pair Taiwan-based space startups with foreign mentors to guide them on business model optimization and business expansion. ITRI also engages with international startup accelerators and incubators to lead Taiwan-based space startups' foray into worldwide markets.
To achieve the final goal of bridging enterprises with startups for partnerships and global market expansions, ITRI endeavors to match foreign startups with domestic industries. The efforts not only promote their collaboration and communication but also help Taiwan-based startups penetrate into the global space industry ecosystem.
Thanks to joint government-industry-academia-research efforts, Taiwan's FORMOSAT 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 missions successfully completed, laying a solid foundation for independent satellite development. This shows Taiwan is capable of making satellites and sounding rockets domestically and more importantly, Taiwan has an outstanding team of aerospace engineers and experts. Having identified the space industry as one of the six core strategic industries, the Taiwan government intends to keep driving space technology advancement and industry development, aiming to establish a presence in the global marketplace.
Right after kick-off, the International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program 2023 was met with great interest from promising space startups all over the world. A total of 16 teams were selected to come to Taiwan, including German-based deltaVision GmbH in the satellite manufacturing sector, India-based Vellon Space in the launch service sector, and Czech-based Hikade Technologies in the satellite service sector. The International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program 2023 culminated in the signing of six MOUs, intertwining global startups with the Taiwanese space sector. These startups also engaged in over 300 discussions with local suppliers at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition, injecting vitality and fresh perspectives into Taiwan's aerospace community.
Considering opinions from the Taiwan space supply chain, SMESA has decided the International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program 2024 will highlight satellite manufacturing system integration, sensing and imaging technologies for satellite application, and critical components for rocket manufacturing/launching. The aim is to leverage Taiwan's strength in IC design, satellite manufacturing, ground equipment, and startup ecosystem to build expertise and experience in the space sector.
In view of the space technology development progress across different parts of the world, the 2024 program will focus on startup teams from Europe, India, and Japan with a certain degree of maturity. With the success of the 2023 program, this year SMESA hopes to invite 10 startup teams from abroad to Taiwan and matchmake at least two partnership deals with Taiwan-based firms.
On top of solid foundations and brilliant performances in the semiconductor, ICT, and precision machinery sectors, Taiwan also has the capabilities to develop and manufacture satellites and rockets domestically. The synergy of the two will allow Taiwan to build up strength in the global space competition, which is set to become a key growth engine for Taiwan's economy.
Visit https://taccplus.com/en/international-program/ for more information.
Applications for International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program 2024 are now being accepted
Photo: ITRI