Increase business innovation by connecting with Taiwanese tech leaders in new global programme

A new virtual programme is launching for businesses involved in the specific field of digital technology for manufacturing to meet with, learn from and collaborate with key international players from Taiwan. 

The Global Business Innovation Programme is organised by Innovate UK and delivered by Innovate UK EDGE. It consists of a preparation phase, five-day innovation activities focussed on Taiwan, a post-activity exploitation workshop and follow-up support of approximately 12 months from an Innovate UK EDGE Innovation and Growth Specialist. 

The aim of the initiative is to facilitate collaboration between UK and Taiwanese businesses to encourage innovation and deployment of novel digital technologies for manufacturing. It will specifically seek to build:

• Partnerships that exploit UK technology strengths (including Sensing, Industrial Internet of Things & Artificial Intelligence)
  to enable continued growth in key Taiwanese manufacturing sectors (including Electronics, Energy & Smart Machinery,
  Pharmaceuticals).
• Industrial Digital Technology capability and capacity in both the UK and Taiwan

Taiwan has a 4.64% GDP growth forecast for 2021 and is one of the UK’s largest Asia/Pacific markets. Its key technologies include Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Robotics, and Additive Manufacturing.

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The three main phases of the Global Business Innovation Programme are:

• Getting ready for the market: Pre-activity briefing workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the
  market and potential opportunities, including how to do business, cultural aspects, how to protect your IP
  and training on how to improve your pitch and articulate your value proposition. (one-day workshop)
• Market activities: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through meeting with key companies
  and research organisations and potential collaborators and partners through pre-arranged meetings and
  organised matchmaking. (five days of market related activity)
• Exploiting the opportunity: An exploitation workshop and one-to-one support from a Innovate UK EDGE
  Innovation and Growth Specialist to follow up and take advantage of the opportunities identified. (1 day
  workshop and as a guide, around five days working with a Innovate UK EDGE Adviser over a 12-month
  period)

Applications close at 9am on 7 June 2021 9 August 2021. Applicants must be a UK-based innovation-led company with fewer than 500 employees, with ambitions to grow and internationalise. 

This initiative will be delivered online and the first stages will be open to successful applicants. On acceptance onto the full initiative, a commitment fee of £500 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed action plan. Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all of the commitment fee.

*EDIT - The Innovate UK Global Business Innovation Programme regarding Taiwan has been pushed back by eight weeks due to a Covid-19 lockdown in Taiwan. It is now scheduled to commence in September with applications open until 9 August. 

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To fill in the online application form please visit the Innovate UK EDGE website. For more information, assistance with your application or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact Bradley Rowley at bradley.rowley@innovateukedge.ukri.org or call +44 (0)7810 561490.