Business Feature, by Teddy Tsai
I first connected with Elisa Chiu, founder of Anchor Taiwan, several years ago on LinkedIn, as we share numerous mutual acquaintances in the financial sector. Anchor Taiwan serves as a platform fostering partnerships and opportunities across various disciplines. Notably, Ms. Chiu’s engagement in the bike and culture industries complements my own interests in sports, media, and entertainment, making a face-to-face meeting both timely and relevant. This year’s Anchor Innovation Summit presented the ideal occasion to reconnect, especially as my former supervisor from Insight Pacific Investment Research, Peter Kurz—now Chairman at Alpha Ring Asia, a fusion energy startup was among the event’s speakers.
Photo Credit: Kaohsiung Times
The summit was held at Taipei City Hakka Cultural Park, a venue blending contemporary architecture with traditional cultural elements that reflect Taiwan’s multifaceted business landscape. Adjacent to the venue, a fashion design exhibition foreshadowed the innovative discussions ahead. Conversations with Allen Ku of Startup Island Taiwan, an event sponsor, underscored the subjective nature of fashion design awards—a dynamic comparable to startup investment decisions, which can hinge as much on luck as merit. The discussion highlighted the necessity of proactive engagement to seize emerging opportunities.
Photo Credit: Kaohsiung Times
The opening session focused on mobility and urban futures. Having previously met Keynes Cheng of iPass at a New Media Entertainment Association event, I was introduced to Jeffrey Wu of WeMo Scooters and Tyler Hsu of Depo Auto Parts. Mr. Wu’s presentation revealed that the number of automobiles in Taiwan now exceeds its 23.35 million population, emphasizing the importance of shared mobility in curbing carbon emissions. When questioned about incentives for recycling old scooters, Mr. Wu clarified that cost constraints hinder such programs, reinforcing the need for alternative solutions. Mr. Hsu detailed his efforts in evolving a family enterprise into an international supplier for McLaren, illustrating the value of persistence and strategic transformation. Mr. Cheng reviewed iPass’s achievements, notably its Green Points program, which incentivizes environmentally conscious consumer behaviors through an extensive partner network.
Photo Credit: Kaohsiung Times
The subsequent session addressed sports and leadership, featuring Sam Lam of Mesh Ventures and Peter Kurz of Alpha Ring Asia. Drawing upon their respective business and investment experiences, both speakers discussed how athletic pursuits have shaped their personal resilience and focus. Mr. Lam emphasized that corporate venture capital seeks not only financial returns but also technological innovation and sectoral diversification. He noted that Taiwanese corporate VCs increasingly prefer flexible, deal-by-deal investment approaches that align with evolving corporate strategies. Both speakers stressed the educational value of failure, advocating transparency and perseverance as essential traits for long-term success.
During lunch, a roundtable format facilitated meaningful exchanges among experts from diverse fields, including media, construction, law, advertising, sports, and public relations. As founder of Kaohsiung Times, I particularly appreciated insights from Emily Y. Wu of Ghost Island Media, who led discussions differentiating branding, marketing, and sales. The session affirmed the importance of creative storytelling in driving impactful campaigns and the potential for future collaborations arising from such multidisciplinary engagement.
The afternoon’s “Capital without Borders” session was especially pertinent given my involvement with Maharlika FC in the Philippines. Joan Yao, General Partner at Kickstart Ventures, provided valuable perspectives on regional investment climates, allowing me to highlight both the opportunities and challenges, such as currency restrictions and the evolution of investor relations within Taiwan’s stock market.
Photo Credit: Kaohsiung Times
A later panel on mergers and acquisitions reinforced the need for Taiwanese firms to advance beyond traditional accounting practices and actively engage in strategic corporate finance initiatives. Case studies demonstrated successful M&A activity, affirming a positive shift in local corporate strategy.
Photo Credit: Kaohsiung Times
The day concluded with Ben Tsiang’s reflections on documentary filmmaking and his experience with Sina.com, offering nuanced lessons on societal and personal growth through critical reflection. Overall, the Anchor Innovation Summit distinguished itself by promoting purposeful collaboration and multidimensional knowledge exchange. The event’s format encouraged participants to look beyond conventional resource-sharing, fostering stronger networks and a commitment to advancing societal progress.