Changhua County's Department of Youth Development is actively encouraging sustainable entrepreneurship among its youth. This year, the program is being carried out in collaboration with the Taiwan Eastbound Alliance - Landing America (TeaLa), and the "Sustai-N-Ability" project was officially launched during a press conference held on March 19th.
County Magistrate Wang Huei-mei stated that the county government is aligning with UN trends by promoting the "Youth Sustainable Business Service Program" to assist Changhua's young people in leveraging diverse creativity. It combines the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concept and matches large enterprises for local sustainable operation. Last year marked the inaugural year, mentoring five youth entrepreneurial teams including "Tianxiang Lamb Stew," "Hao Atelier," "Chibuapp," "Jaomas photo studio," and "YuanLin Food," which received positive feedback. This year, under the theme of "Sustai-N-Ability," the program aims to expand by selecting ten youth entrepreneurial teams, welcoming active participation from Changhua's youth entrepreneurial teams.
TeaLa, as the executing team, will utilize industrial energy and venture capital networks to provide necessary ESG knowledge learning courses, industry mentors, venture coaching, and successful sustainable entrepreneurship experience inheritance for youth entrepreneurial teams. This comprehensive approach accelerates Changhua's sustainable youth entrepreneurship in three major areas: "Production Verification," "Market Verification," and "Financial Linkage," while providing international alliance connections and local partner energy.
The launch press conference gathered nationwide enterprises, local businesses, and partners from research institutions in the central region, including Topco Scientific and Anyong Fresh's special assistant Chen Mei-hui, Chairman and CEO of ESCY Network as well as Executive Director of TeaLa, Edison Chen, Manager of PwC's Innovation Division, Huang Chien-hsiung, Founder of WeTec International CPAs, Bruce Huang, Manager of HAOSHI, Kevin Lin, Chairman of HANRETECH, Du Yu-gui, Founder of Yung-Yi Xingye Co., Ltd., and Director of Changhua Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association, Liu Jia-jun, Chairman of Masterpiece Hardware Industrial, Wang Yi-fang, and other local entrepreneurs to establish industrial participation partnerships. On the academic and research side, Vice President Yeh Shih-jen from Dayeh University, Director of Research and Development Chen Liang-rui from National Changhua University of Education, Deputy Director Xie Chang-wei from Industry-Academia Collaboration Center at National Chung Hsing University, Deputy Chief Liu Su-juan from Industry-Academia Collaboration Office at Chaoyang University of Technology, and Deputy Director Cai Sheng-nan from Industry-Academia Collaboration Office at Feng Chia University were invited. They collaboratively work on a comprehensive ecosystem that involves research and innovation, local and international engagement, as well as businesses and venture capital.
Chairman Wang Yi-fang of Masterpiece Hardware Industrial, a representative from the industry, emphasized the importance of people in both corporate and national development. He thanked the Changhua County Government team for providing a valuable platform that allows young individuals to explore opportunities. Furthermore, he acknowledged the assistance of various experts and consultants in supporting youth entrepreneurship, facilitating business growth from small-scale ventures to larger enterprises, and even expanding internationally. He encouraged everyone to pursue their dreams with determination and welcomed all young individuals to challenge themselves and achieve personal fulfillment.
Dr. Edison Chen, Chairman of ESCY Network and Executive Director of the TeaLa, thanked Magistrate Wang and Mr. Bruce Huang, stating that the association can realize some forward-thinking concepts in Changhua. Dr. Chen, being a systems scientist himself, noted the difference this time in integrating large and medium-sized enterprises, youth entrepreneurial teams, and universities, expecting unique outcomes through collaboration in industry, startups, and academia.
Vice President Yeh Shih-jen of Dayeh University highlighted Changhua County's diverse industrial resources across its 26 townships, offering young people diverse entrepreneurial opportunities. The comprehensive support provided by the county government allows aspiring young entrepreneurs to choose Changhua for their entrepreneurial dreams, contributing to sustainable business development and societal prosperity.
As the largest county outside the six municipalities, Changhua is home to a large number of young residents. The Department of Youth Development actively integrates different departments to strengthen support for entrepreneurship, sustainability, and youth. Entrepreneurship is not an easy path, but because of the willingness of the new generation of young entrepreneurs to invest and participate, Changhua's future industries can become more diverse and move closer to becoming a city aligned with sustainable development goals.
The launch press conference saw the involvement of local youth entrepreneurs including Wu Yi-jia of Tianxiang Lamb Hotpot; Lin Jian-cheng, founder of Sēn yi; Jian Zi-ting, host of Hao Atelier; Jiang Yi-fang, director of Yuan Jun, Lin Yi, director of the Yunlin Grass Jelly; Chen Jia-xin, head of Qibu Applications; and Zhong Yuan-jun, proprietor of the Great Wall Restaurant. Together, they are driving the integration of ESG international trends into local youth entrepreneurship in Changhua, creating many different opportunities for innovation.