March 27-28, 2025 – The SET Workshop 2025, combined with the ASPN Batch 2 Kickoff Bootcamp, concluded successfully. Spanning two days, the event highlighted innovative collaborations and future trends in sports technology, connecting global experts and startups in a series of dynamic workshops and networking sessions.
Day 1 Highlights (March 27, Thursday) – Sport Event Taiwan (SET) Workshop
The day began with a welcome party at Taiwan Tech Arena, setting the stage for initial introductions and interactions among international speakers, judges and partners.
Following this, the SET Workshop took place at Nangang Exhibition Center, featuring a mix of keynotes, panels, and a significant MOU signing ceremony.
Figure: Opening remarks by Ms. Maggie Hsu, Director of Sports Administration, Ministry of Education
Figure: MOU signing ceremony among Fun Sports in Taiwan, Asian Association for Sport Management (AASM), APEC Sport Policy Network (ASPN), Japan Sport Tourism Alliance (JSTA), and Thai Mass Participation Sports Trade Association (TMPSA)
Figure: Keynote speech on Sports Diplomacy- U.S. GSMP Program by Po Chun Sophiyah Liu, Ambassador-at-large R.O.C (Taiwan)
Figure: Keynote speech by the representative of World Master Games
Figure: Panel discussion on Sports Events X City Branding, moderated by Yi Hsiu Lin, Vice President, AASM with speakers: Li Neo Tay, Co-Founder & COO, IGNITX; Munehiko Harada, President, JSTA; and Rut Jiroajvanichakorn, President, TMPSA
Figure: Panel discussion on Sports Events X Sports Tech, moderated by Michael Lin, CEO, ASPN with speakers: Amy Bae, Partner (Korea), BlackStorm Consulting, Amy Crosland, COO, ASTN; Mike Yang, CEO, AquaBloom International Sports Technology Group (ABSG)
Figure: Keynote speech by João de Saldanha, CEO, One Hundred Group
The SET workshop was held at the stage of TaiSPO. ASPN together with TaiSPO had a Sports Tech Innovation Pavilion that showcased 11 startups from ASPN alumni and portfolio startups.
Figure: International speakers visiting TaiSPO – ASPN pavillion
Figure: Group photo
Day 2 (March 28, Friday) – ASPN Kickoff Bootcamp
Focused on the ASPN Batch 2 Kickoff, the day featured intense pitch sessions by new startups, with participants acting as judges. The evaluation focused on market potential, business models, and other critical aspects, guiding the selection of the top 10-14 entrants for ASPN’s second batch.
Figure: Ms Jeslin Bay, Group CEO of BlackStorm, was asking some questions about the pitch
Figure: A judge was asking some questions about the pitch
Figure: One of the startups pitching at the kickoff bootcamp
Figure: One of the startups pitching at the kickoff bootcamp
Figure: A keynote speech on Innovations Transforming APAC Sports Industry by Ms Peggy Tng, Regional Lead, APAC of GSIC powered by Microsoft
Figure: A keynote speech on The Future of Sports Tech in Southeast Asia: Opportunities and Market Access Strategies by Ms 馬梅朵, Group CEO of BlackStorm Consulting
Figure: One of the startups that got selected to join ASPN Batch 2 Bootcamp
This cohort includes innovative companies from across the globe: Spot, Rebas Sport, and Ebr-Trainer, along with Fortune AI, Decentralized Biotechnology Intelligence Co., Ltd., Healthy Plate, and 3T Tech from Taiwan; laabio New Stream LTD from Israel; PointFit Technology from Hong Kong; MCL Sports AG from Switzerland; svexa from the USA; MyClubtap from Australia; REMO from South Korea; and SPECTATR.AI from India.
The event reinforced the event’s commitment to building robust, collaborative relationships across the global sports tech landscape, enhancing the networking experience for all attendees.
Figure: Group photo with startups and judges to wrap up ASPN Batch 2 Kickoff Bootcamp
The event wrapped up with an evening gathering that brought together mentors, industry leaders, and international partners, facilitating meaningful exchanges and potential partnerships.
Looking Forward
The SET Workshop and ASPN Bootcamp set a robust foundation for the next wave of innovations in sports technology, promising exciting developments and international collaborations in the years to come.
About BlackStorm Consulting
BlackStorm Consulting is a trailblazing force in business consultancy, stands at the forefront of empowering businesses across Southeast Asia, with a stronghold in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Our expertise lies in corporate strategy and market entry, closing strategic gaps that impede companies from reaching their full potential. We elevate businesses by applying a multi-faceted approach across three crucial layers: people, product, and process.
About Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education
The Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan is pivotal in promoting sports development and physical education. Tasked with formulating sports policies, it enhances public health through physical activities and supports elite athlete training. The Administration also focuses on international sports collaborations, hosting events, and improving sports infrastructure to boost Taiwan’s global sports stature.
About IAPS NYCU Accelerator
The IAPS NYCU Accelerator , associated with National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, focuses on nurturing startups in the sports technology sector. It provides resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to accelerate the growth of innovative enterprises. The accelerator aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem that bridges academic research and industry needs, promoting advancements in sports tech globally.