Change is in the air at Computex. From the outside, most people typically think of Computex as a PC components trade show. On the inside, it’s also a place for most players in the IT/Technology supply chain where many exhibitors are looking for distribution channels. For the 2016 edition, Computex has added a “startups” flavor to the mix, in the form of InnoVEX, a parallel show where 170-200 startups are pitching the industry. 
InnoVEX also features talks and panels not unlike what we’re used to in Silicon Valley. There are all kinds of startups since the following fields are covered: “Hardware and IoT, ECOM and Fintech, Consumer Tech, Bio & Health Tech, and Enterprise Software” (from the InnoVEX official application).
This is new for Computex, and so far, things have been quite busy. It remains to be seen if Computex/InnoVEX will become a place where unicorns are found, and deals are made, but with a low entry fee ($1000), cash prizes ($30,000) and connections to VCs, incubators, and networking with tech talents, it’s something that startups should probably look at.
With startups being a very hot topic in the whole region (Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea), partially fueled by government-backed investors, many organisations are competing for the attention from the hottest startups. So far, CES has been successful at doing just this, but Computex/Innovex would love to also become a place where startups launch new products and concepts. Will it work as planned? We’ll have to wait and see.
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