2021 Qualcomm Innovate in Taiwan Challenge

QITC 2021正式起跑，連續第三年邀請新創團隊利用高通無線平台和技術來展示他們的發明和想法。 入圍團隊將獲得資金補助，在育成期間進入高通台灣創新中心，並可獲得專利申請獎勵、智財權培訓、商業輔導和研發支持等各項資源。

智慧財產權保護和專利策略培訓，是QITC育成計劃重要的一環。 透過提供智財權工作坊和專利申請獎勵，高通鼓勵新創團隊保護其工作成果並提升競爭力。 在QITC 第一屆和第二屆的育成期間，入圍團隊總共提出21項專利申請。

第一屆、第二屆QITC於2019年、2020年推出，分別有逾100家新創團隊報名，團隊產品技術多元，包括來自工業物聯網、醫療、XR、區塊鏈交易、智慧流量等創新領域。迄今為止，透過兩屆QITC，高通育成了19家優秀的新創團隊。 其中，RelaJet和Nestech獲邀加入高通Qualcomm® Advantage Network，成為高通全球商用生態系一員，與領先企業合作以實現技術與業務突破；此外，在高通支持下，許多團隊參加國際商展、投入高通和企業夥伴的研發計劃，成功打開通往全球市場的大門。

科技部產學及園區業務司司長許增如指出，在5G、人工智慧及物聯網等尖端科技及數位轉型浪潮推動下，未來10年，對台灣和全球經濟發展非常關鍵，而「創新」在台灣產業轉型、價值鏈提升過程，扮演比以往更重要的角色。高通則透過QITC協助新創成長及鏈結全球生態系，持續支持並運用台灣的技術優勢。

美國高通公司副總裁暨台灣與東南亞區總裁劉思泰表示，我們正快速進入一個由5G、人工智慧和物聯網創造無限可能的世代，全球環境加速了這個進程。他指出，高通作為無線通訊技術全球領導企業，致力於提供創新的解決方案，以更好的方式改變人們的生活。然而， 除高通的研發努力，像舉辦QITC這樣的創新競賽，至為關鍵，它不但能夠讓台灣新創團隊大放異彩，還有助於推動尖端應用和解決方案的發明。 他強調，前兩屆QITC發掘了許多台灣優秀的新創團隊，我們很高興在2021年持續推出QITC，並為台灣新創生態系發展提供更多支持。

第三屆「高通台灣創新競賽」正式起跑，於1月21日至3月21日接受報名，其間，將舉辦四場說明會，二場為線上說明會，另外二場實體說明會將於台南、高雄舉辦。

About the challenge

The Qualcomm® Innovate in Taiwan Challenge ( QITC ) 2021 is a continuation of an initiative by Qualcomm that was started in 2019 to support the development of Taiwan’s ICT ecosystem by identifying and nurturing innovative, new small and medium-sized companies and products. This Qualcomm initiative is a collaboration with Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology ( MOST ) and Taiwan Tech Arena ( TTA ) to support the growth of Taiwanese startups in areas such as 5G, cellular connected IoT, machine learning, smart cities, and multimedia with our mobile platforms and technologies.

Building upon Qualcomm’s longstanding support of Taiwan’s ICT ecosystem, QITC contributes to Taiwan’s “Asian Silicon Valley” – part of the national policy vision of “Digital Nation, Smart Island”. Qualcomm aims to facilitate the integration of international and Taiwanese innovative ideas and technologies developments to boost innovation in Taiwan, enable new ICT industry dynamics in Taiwan, and raise the competitiveness of Taiwanese start-ups on the global stage.

In addition to a grant awarded to each selected startup, the Challenge offers coaching and technical training, provides access to world-class engineering resources for product development, and encourages startups’ protection of inventions through patent filing.

Qualcomm Innovate in Taiwan Challenge

Program Benefits in QITC 2021

Financial Grants to Support Incubation: 10 shortlisted companies will receive grants to support incubation, with additional prize money for the top three finalists at the conclusion of the incubation period.

Patent Filing Incentive: Qualcomm will reimburse each startup USD 2,500 for each utility patent application filed with either the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ( USPTO ) or Taiwan Intellectual Property Office ( TIPO ) which relate to proposals for QITC 2021 ( at the prevailing exchange rate ). Limited to two patent applications per startup. Please see official rules for full details.

Access to Accelerator Program Services: Qualcomm, with partners such as Taiwan Tech Arena ( TTA ), will provide workshops and training on a range of topics such as operations, customer development, competitive analysis, product management, global market entry strategy, mastering the pitch, and fundraising. Frequent coaching and mentoring sessions from subject matter experts in these areas will be provided to interested startups.

Ongoing Technical and R&D Support: Qualcomm will offer technical support to all startups at no additional cost, which will include business and technical guidance, laboratory access, as well as problem-solving support from local Qualcomm teams.

Timeline

Qualcomm Innovate in Taiwan Challenge 2021 is a single cycle incubation from May to November 2021.

• Application Phase ( January through March 2021 ): Roadshows to introduce the program and online submission of ideas/products. For details of roadshows, please visit the roadshow registration website.

• Shortlist ( April 2021 ): Up to 10 teams will be selected through a jury process and will be awarded money of USD 10,000.

• Incubation ( May to November 2021 ): Shortlisted companies will be supported through an incubation period including seminars from subject matter experts, technical support from Qualcomm, and assistance from Intellectual Property specialists.

• Finale ( December 2021 ): One winner and two runner ups will be selected by a jury of industry leaders and receive cash awards of USD 125,000, USD 100,000 or USD 75,000 respectively.

Note: the above timeline may be subject to change.

說明會資訊

相關連結：

• Qualcomm Innovate in Taiwan Challenge
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• 2021高通台灣創新競賽徵件說明會