TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The InnoVEX Pitch Contest Final captivated audiences on Thursday (May 22) as entrepreneurs from around the world showcased their innovations at Taiwan's COMPUTEX technology exhibition. Huang Yuan-ping, principal of Applied Ventures, the venture capital arm of an American semiconductor services company sponsoring the event, highlighted the contest's dual role in elevating startup visibility and tracking emerging technological trends.
Serving as a member of the jury in the contest, Huang emphasized that a CEO's storytelling capabilities form the competition's heart. He explained that compelling pitches under pressure reveal crucial leadership qualities that help predict business management potential. The venture capitalist, who manages a fund in Taiwan, noted that while the event raises his organization's profile, it primarily allows him to monitor cutting-edge innovations in sectors relevant to his investment portfolio.
When evaluating startups, Huang particularly examines whether companies tackle significant technical challenges aligned with their fundamental expertise. His investment approach prioritizes technologies that complement Applied Ventures' material engineering specialization. "We seek partnerships that create mutual value," Huang explained, emphasizing his goal to foster collaborative relationships between promising startups and his parent company.
The competition's top honor went to Moshe Tanch, CEO of Israeli startup NeuReality, for their groundbreaking AI processor technology. Their innovation integrates multiple processing capabilities to address traditional CPUs' cost and power consumption limitations. "We can significantly reduce AI implementation costs for previously unserved markets like small and medium enterprises," Tanch explained. The executive praised Taiwan's crucial position in NeuReality's supply chain, referencing established partnerships with Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC and electronics manufacturer Foxconn.
"Before our innovation, physicians relied solely on experience during these procedures, often leading to serious complications without visual guidance," Hung noted. She expressed hope that their COMPUTEX participation would not only attract medical industry investors but also highlight how closely their technology connects to public health and patient safety. The visual component transforms a traditionally blind procedure into one with precision guidance.
Canadian finalist Harpal Mandaher, co-founder of Sarcomer Dynamics, showcased an advanced robotic hand featuring 20 degrees of freedom. His COMPUTEX appearance aimed to secure Taiwanese manufacturing partnerships to scale production. Mandaher emphasized how versatile automation tools could address workforce shortages while reducing occupational injuries. "Traditional robots excel at repetitive tasks but struggle with object variety," he explained, highlighting the limitations of conventional automation solutions.
"That's where you need something more versatile, like a human hand," Mandaher continued, contrasting conventional single-purpose robotic grippers with his company's multifunctional humanoid design. During his first visit to Taiwan, the entrepreneur described the experience as exceptionally productive, yielding connections with numerous potential manufacturing partners and collaborative opportunities that could accelerate his company's growth trajectory.
This year's InnoVEX Pitch Contest highlighted Taiwan's strategic importance in the global technology ecosystem, with international entrepreneurs actively seeking to tap into the island's manufacturing expertise, supply chain networks, and collaborative innovation environment. The event showcased Taiwan's unique position at the intersection of hardware manufacturing excellence and emerging software innovations. ◼
