In a bid to boost the number of start-ups on the island and bolster economic growth, Taiwan’s National Development Council announced the HeadStart Taiwan programme last year to reduce red tape and attract international investment.
Alongside the initiative, Taiwan’s Labour Ministry has relaxed visa requirements for foreign professionals working in start-ups that qualify under the HeadStart programme. Overseas candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher will no longer need two years of work experience to obtain a visa. Taipei’s Zhongshan Soccer Stadium is also being transformed into 100,000 square food start-up cluster, including an accelerator, called Taiwan Startup Stadium as part of the NDC’s efforts.
SCMP staff reporters have sifted through the Taiwan start-up scene to find some of the most promising companies to come out of the island. Their inclusion is based on the new technology they offer, funding received and the market gap they fill.