Kaohsiung startup expo draws 250 exhibitors from over 10 countries

高雄新創博覽會吸引逾10國、250家廠商參展

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung will improve access to funding for startups and expand opportunities to apply new technology as it seeks to attract global companies, Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said Friday.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day Meet Greater South startup expo, Chen said the city will create more opportunities to use new technologies. He said over NT$17 billion (US$538 million) in central government funding for the Asia New Bay Area has helped attract companies, CNA reported.

Chen said the city has worked with Business Next, a business and tech media company, for six years to build a platform connecting startups with local industries. The cooperation helps them understand market needs while helping local companies adopt new technology and become more competitive.

He cited crowd management at major concerts as one example of how the city uses new technology. Kaohsiung works with Chunghwa Telecom and other partners to use AI and big data to monitor crowd movement and visitor patterns.

Chen said the city’s concert economy now generates about NT$18 billion a year. He added the southern city also uses AI to analyze public opinion, assess risks, prepare for questions by city councilors, and support flood-control projects.

The Meet Greater South startup expo at Kaohsiung Exhibition Center features more than 250 exhibitors and 30 overseas teams from over 10 countries. The event has six exhibition areas, with more than 50 exhibitors showing how their technologies are used in real-world projects.