The Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, has begun accepting applications from qualified small and medium enterprises for selection as recipients of the 4th Taiwan Mittelstand Awards. Registration will be open through April 29, 2016.
The Mittelstand Awards were launched in 2012 with the goal of identifying and then assisting the further development of Taiwan SMEs that have unique, internationally competitive products or services. The program, based on a similar initiative in Germany, aims to recognize "hidden champions" - namely relatively small and inconspicuous but highly successful companies that form the backbone of the Taiwan economy - as well as "potential hidden champions."
To date, a total of 32 Mittelstand Award winners have been selected (10 in 2013, 10 in 2014 and 12 in 2015), as well as 186 "potential hidden champions." The MOEA has actively sought to publicize the award-winning enterprises, most of which are leaders in their niche sectors, as models for emulation by other SMEs in Taiwan.
Various forms of guidance and assistance are offered by the Ministry to those enterprises selected as Mittelstand Award winners or as potential hidden champions. The assistance, including in the areas of talent cultivation, intellectual property acquisition, technology development, and brand promotion, is provided through a dedicated service window as well as a special service team composed of experts from various fields.
The goal of the assistance program is to bring about at least NT$30 billion (US$ 924.6 million) in related investment annually by participating companies, leading to the creation of at least 3,000 new jobs per year, according to the Ministry.
Further information can be obtained and applications downloaded by visiting the program's official website at http://www.mittelstand.org.tw