On March 28, 2024, The Taiwan Eastbound Alliance - Landing America (TeaLa) collaborated with the Taoyuan City Government Youth Affairs on the "AIoT & ESG Field Youth Entrepreneurship Team Enterprise Participation (CSE) Value-Added Counseling Program". Through the TeaLa industry network, corporate participation (CSE) in startup counseling is introduced to help expedite product feasibility validation, encouraging synergy between major enterprises in Taoyuan City and startups.
During the selection process for youth entrepreneurship in the AIoT & ESG fields, TeaLa launched the "ESG Future Blueprint: Seminar on Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy", and through connecting international trends in ESG development, the growth of domestic circular economy businesses, and the societal impact of sustainable entrepreneurship, facilitating discussions and exchanges with over twenty entrepreneurial teams, linking public associations, local businesses, and emerging venture capital partners.
Dr. Edison Chen, CEO of TeaLa, pointed out that ESG provides comprehensive changes from technology, livelihood, to societal aspects, and this trend can fundamentally change corporate operating models, social resource allocation, lifestyle, and achieve wealth redistribution. Considering international perspectives when discussing ESG is of utmost importance, as startups solely targeting the Taiwanese market may overlook the significant role domestic startups can play within the broader ESG landscape.
Chairman Wu Chieh-hsin of Super Dragon Technology (SDTI) used his own case as an example, urging young entrepreneurs present to integrate sustainability thinking into their corporate spirit, and to move beyond mere compliance with reporting standards or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) when it comes to execution. By thoroughly grasping the multifaceted implications of ESG, covering environmental, social, and governance dimensions, startups can find different entry points, provide good solutions, solve problems that society and large enterprises may overlook, thus fostering mutual growth.
Deputy CEO Thomas Liu of Canopi elaborated on why impact investing is needed, allowing attendees to understand from the perspective of Stakeholders Capitalism how positive benefits are generated through collaboration with shareholders, customers, society, and suppliers, as well as global initiatives such as GRI's "Social Return on Investment (SROI)" and "Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), ISSB". Sustainability value as a whole isn't merely abstract; it's been concretely realized through verifiable data and financial indicators.
This event attracted over twenty startup teams spanning ESG, AIoT, to advanced technology startups. Mr. Johhny Liu, co-founder of Pade Technology, a startup in Longtan specializing in intelligent textile recycling solutions, expressed that the presentations by the three speakers prompted their team to contemplate the challenges surrounding business models. They particularly valued the insights shared by industry leader Chairman Wu Chieh-hsin. The team had been eager to connect with and seek advice from Chairman Wu. Beyond just acquiring knowledge, engaging in direct discussions with industry veterans like Chairman Wu during this forum provided the team with invaluable insights into business operations, models, and service systems.