Universities as Launchpads： How Academic Venture Programs Build and Scale Startups

Startup Island TAIWAN is hosting its first international forum under the theme “Academic Ventures × Industry,” bringing together venture arms from world-leading universities in the United States, Japan, and Singapore, alongside representatives from Taiwan. The forum will explore how university-based startups can leverage capital, industry connections, and distribution networks to accelerate global expansion and internationalization.

The forum will focus on:

Academic–Venture Collaboration — From PoC (Proof of Concept) partnerships to fundraising strategies, exploring new pathways for commercializing academic innovations.

Global Network Connection — Building cross-border industrial collaboration and market access through venture capital, accelerators, and corporate partnerships.

It will also shed light on how university venture programs operate, sharing successful cases in R&D commercialization, technology transfer, and investment strategies, while inviting international experts to discuss opportunities for collaboration between Taiwan’s industries and the global innovation ecosystem.

AGENDA

9:30-10:00 Reception

10:00-10:10 VIP Speech

10:10-10:20 Group Photo

10:20-10:30 Keynote 1

Calvin Chin / Managing Partner of E14 Fund

10:30-10:40 Keynote 2

Germaine HE / Senior Associate Director of NUS Enterprise

10:40-11:05 Penal 1

Moderator：

Tony Lin / Producer and consultant of CONNECTED on TaiwanPlus

Paneliss：

1. Calvin Chin / Managing Partner of E14 Fund

2. Germaine HE / Senior Associate Director of NUS Enterprise

11:05-11:15 Keynote 3

Takashi Chris Furukawa / Managing Partner of UTokyo IPC

11:15-11:25 Keynote 4

Raymond Woo / Singapore Office Representative of Kyoto-iCAP

11:25-11:35 Keynote 5

Brandon Chiang / President of NTU Ventures

11:35-12:00 Penal 2

Moderator：

Dr. Eric Fan / Deputy Director of Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER)

Panelists：

1. Takashi Chris Furukawa / Managing Partner of UTokyo IPC

2. Raymond Woo / Singapore Office Representative of Kyoto-iCAP

3. Brandon Chiang / President of NTU Ventures

※ Admission requires separate registration for the 2025 Meet Taipei Startup Festival — free tickets available for visitors.

※ The organizers reserve the right to make final modifications, changes, interpretations, or cancellation of this event.