Deputy Director General Susan Chi Chuan Hu of TITA and Executive VP Joe Chou of TAITRA, together with the judging panel, joined the winning teams for a group photo.
By Peace Muthoka
Taipei came alive with anticipation as six outstanding global teams gathered for the 2025 Go Healthy with Taiwan Global Proposal Finals. The event, held on December 10, reaffirmed Taiwan’s growing reputation as a global leader in health technology and international collaboration. From the moment the finalists stepped onto the stage, it was clear that the initiative is becoming a crucial platform for advancing solutions that can improve health systems around the world.
This year’s competition attracted an impressive 638 proposals from 55 countries. Africa was notably represented with entries from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, reflecting Taiwan’s widening influence among regions looking for accessible and scalable health innovations. After a competitive final round, three teams from the United States, Ukraine and Switzerland were crowned winners and each received an Infinite Taiwan trophy together with USD 30,000 in prize funding.
Susan Chi Chuan Hu, Deputy Director General of the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), announced the three winning teams and presented the awards. She emphasized that TITA will continue working hand in hand with global partners to advance human health and well-being.
Their ideas captured the attention of the judges for their creativity, potential for scale and alignment with global health needs. The winning concepts included smart-textile sensors that support athletic performance and safety, innovations aimed at ensuring health system continuity during geopolitical instability, and sustainable medical technologies that reduce environmental impact. Together, they demonstrated how health and technology can merge to deliver real-world solutions.
Team from the United States, Ukraine and Switzerland were selected as the winners of the “Go Healthy with Taiwan” Global Proposal Campaign.
During the awards ceremony, Susan Chi Chuan Hu, Deputy Director General of the Taiwan International Trade Administration, announced the winners and congratulated all finalists. She emphasized that Go Healthy with Taiwan is designed not only as a competition but as a long-term movement that connects innovators with the global health community. According to her, the initiative showcases Taiwan’s strong industrial capabilities and its commitment to advancing health technologies that are resilient, affordable and future focused.
Hu further explained that Taiwan aims to strengthen its position as a bridge linking world-class innovators to industries that can support product development, research and commercialization. She noted that Taiwan’s policy environment, strong academic partnerships and advanced manufacturing capacity continue to attract creative minds from across the globe. In her words, the initiative embodies a global journey toward a healthier, more connected future.
As the ceremony progressed, leaders from government, industry and academia echoed this sentiment. Representatives from Indonesia, Mexico, the United States, Ukraine, Switzerland and New Zealand joined ambassadors and health-sector officials in celebrating the achievements of the finalists. Their presence reinforced the belief that Taiwan is fast becoming a central meeting point for health innovators seeking collaboration and market access.
The six finalist proposals illustrated the wide spectrum of global health priorities. They tackled maternal health, sports technology, environmental sustainability, health service continuity and digital transformation. This diversity highlighted how the Go Healthy with Taiwan platform continues to evolve in step with emerging global health challenges.
Joe Chou, Executive VP of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), noted that this year’s submissions spanned five continents, representing a 60% increase from last year, demonstrating effective industry alignment.
Joe Chou, Executive Vice President of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, praised the remarkable increase in submissions, noting a sixty percent rise compared to last year. He described this growth as a sign of confidence in Taiwan’s health-tech environment. Chou affirmed that Taiwan will continue connecting innovators with opportunities that accelerate international uptake of Taiwanese health technologies.
The judging panel, represented by Robert Wu, Chairman of the Taiwan Bicycle Association, applauded the finalists for their forward-thinking ideas. Wu noted that this year’s theme, Outstanding Proposals Racing Toward the Finish Line, reflected the high level of innovation seen throughout the competition. Yung-Chuan Li, Chairman of the Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry Association, also joined in recognizing the importance of the proposals.
TITA and TAITRA welcomed distinguished guests from the health industry, diplomatic representatives from ten countries, and the six finalist teams from Indonesia, Mexico, the United States, Ukraine, Switzerland, and New Zealand, joining together in support of a healthier Taiwan.
As the event concluded, TITA expressed optimism that the finalists will expand their partnerships with Taiwanese companies and bring their innovations to market. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to building a global innovation platform that strengthens health systems, opens commercial opportunities and inspires collaborative development.
With every edition, Go Healthy with Taiwan grows stronger, positioning Taiwan as a vital leader in global health innovation and a driving force behind the technologies shaping the future of healthcare.
