ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator Launches Batch 2 to Propel Asia-Pacific Sports Innovation Ecosystem

Chinese Taipei

Author: ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator

The Asia-Pacific Sports Technology Innovation Accelerator, ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator, has officially launched its second training program on March 28 (Friday) at TTA Taiwan Tech Arena. The event was inaugurated by Ms. Maggie Hsu, Director of the International and Cross-Strait Sports Division of the Sports Administration, Ministry of Education, and Mr. Hank Huang, Director of OIAC at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, demonstrating Taiwan's commitment to fostering an Asia-Pacific sports innovation ecosystem.

Commissioned by the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education and executed by the Industry Accelerator and Patent Strategy Center (IAPS) at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator focuses on connecting the sports technology industry across the Asia-Pacific region and establishing a transnational sports innovation ecosystem. As a key project under the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group’s APEC Sports Policy Network (ASPN), the initiative not only promotes the development of international sports events and talent cultivation in the sports industry but also strengthens exchanges and cooperation among APEC economies through its innovation platform. ASPN has been recognized in the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group’s annual outcome declaration, underscoring its strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Deepening Asia-Pacific Collaboration to Accelerate Sports Technology Innovation

Through IAPS and its international partner network—including Australia's ASTN, Singapore’s GSIC and BlackStorm Consulting, Japan’s Startup GoGo, and Malaysia’s Beyond 4—ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator assists sports technology startups in entering the Asia-Pacific market by providing cross-industry acceleration and matchmaking opportunities. This year’s accelerator program attracted applications from 50 sports innovation teams across 14 countries. Ultimately, 14 outstanding teams from eight countries— the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan—were selected. Their innovations span various fields, including VR sports experiences, AI-assisted training, personalized nutrition tracking, and virtual fan engagement platforms.

ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator held the hybrid (online & on-site) event

This batch of the ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator centers on "Women’s Leadership and Applications in Asia-Pacific International Sports Events," aiming to increase female participation in the sports technology industry. Many selected teams are led by female executives who play key leadership roles, proposing innovative solutions to challenges faced by large-scale international sports events in the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aligns with the global sports industry's emphasis on gender diversity and further enhances the influence of sports technology in the Asia-Pacific region.

Many selected teams are led by female executives who play key leadership role. 

Global Integration to Support Asia-Pacific Sports Innovation Startups on the International Stage

The four-month training program will adopt a hybrid online and offline model, covering professional international business courses, innovative industry training, and cross-sector academic collaboration opportunities. Additionally, the program collaborates with international partners to provide essential support, such as product validation, corporate resource matchmaking, and global market expansion for startups.

During the launch event, a sports innovation panel discussion was held, featuring Ms. Peggy Tng, Head of Asia-Pacific at GSIC Singapore, who provided in-depth insights into the trends shaping sports innovation in the Asia-Pacific market, offering valuable foresight to the new cohort of teams.

The Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education emphasized that ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator not only strengthens Taiwan’s influence in sports technology innovation across the Asia-Pacific region but also leverages the APEC platform to integrate regional resources and deepen collaborations with international sports events. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue leading ASPN and the development of the Asia-Pacific sports technology innovation ecosystem, showcasing Taiwan’s exceptional contributions to the global sports technology landscape.