From Collaboration to Innovation: Leading Academia-Industry Transformation and Startup Growth

In response to global changes, NCKU has advanced its academia-industry collaboration. Since establishing the Innovation Headquarters in 2020, the university has strengthened its efforts in this field. In 2024, collaboration funding hit a record NT$7.161 billion, while tech transfer licensing reached NT$303 million, marking the 16th consecutive year over NT$100 million and showcasing strong innovation capacity. In June 2025, NCKU received the “Outstanding Academia-Industry Collaboration Institution Award” from the Chinese Institute of Engineers for the third time, representing the third conferment of the award, with previous distinctions in 2020 and 2023, maintaining its national leadership in the field.

In addition to strengthening academia-industry collaboration, NCKU has actively fostered startup development. In 2023, it launched the Phoenix Entrepreneurship Platforms, in partnership with alumni to connect campus innovation with alumni resources and build a sustainable co-creation ecosystem. To date, the platform has supported 23 early-stage teams—7 participated in the 2024 Innovation Demo Day, with over half securing investment and successfully bridging the gap from campus to industry.

Several startups have shown substantial progress through the Phoenix Platforms. Earthgen Technology secured investment and joined Qisda’s “Drone Armada.” PECURA TECHNOLOGY brought in Phoenix mentor and NCKU alumnus Larry L.S. Lee as chairman and was selected for the Ministry of Economic Affairs' startup program. WeGrow, focused on sustainable farming, connected with 12 investors and established partnerships valued at approximately NT$80 million.

The Phoenix Entrepreneurship Platforms serve as a bridge between alumni networks and NCKU’s R&D to boost Taiwan’s startup ecosystem. More than a resource hub, it reflects NCKU’s spirit — Empowering high-potential teams to grow and drive social progress.