KUALA LUMPUR, Taiwan and Malaysia have deepened their cooperation in technology and innovation through the Startup Challenge 2025, which saw four Taiwanese startups advance to the City Category final organised by Taiwan’s Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SMESA).
In a statement today, SMESA said the initiative aims to promote technological innovation that enhances social well-being and sustainability, while helping Taiwanese startups integrate into Selangor’s thriving tech ecosystem and explore cross-border business opportunities.
After a three-stage selection process — preliminary, semi-final, and final — the top four teams arrived in Selangor in mid-August to install systems, test their solutions, and collect data to validate performance before presenting their results during the final pitch on Oct 15.
According to SMESA, the challenge featured two problem statements proposed by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) — a Library Control System for the Raja Tun Uda Public Library, and a Low-Carbon Data Centre for the Malaysia Semiconductor IC Design Park. Both projects are designed to create smarter public facilities and more sustainable data infrastructure, reinforcing Selangor’s position as a leading regional innovation hub. The final results will be announced in Taiwan next month.
James Chang, director of the Economic Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, said the challenge reflects the strong and enduring economic ties between Taiwan and Malaysia.
“Last year, Taiwan surpassed Japan to become Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner, and this year’s trade is expected to perform even better, recording a 36 per cent increase from January to August,” he said.
Chang also expressed appreciation for SIDEC’s ongoing support of Taiwanese businesses, describing the Startup Challenge as “a meaningful platform to deepen collaboration and attract more investments to Selangor.”
Meanwhile, SIDEC chief operating officer Loo Chuan Boon said the corporation was pleased to collaborate with the Taiwan Computer Association (TCA) for the second consecutive year.
“Initiatives such as improving the public library experience and advancing the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects of data centres reflect our shared goal to build a more dynamic and sustainable tech ecosystem,” he said.
In the Green Smart Library Transformation category, Gotspeed IT Service developed an integrated system that allows staff to operate the library terminal via a smartphone application instead of a fixed device — reducing energy consumption, maintenance costs, and capital expenditure.
Another participant, Skyverge Innovations, introduced a paperless RFID asset-tracking system that simplifies the borrowing and returning process while helping users locate books efficiently. Its energy-saving terminals can also be customised into creative designs, such as animal-shaped units, to engage younger readers.
In the Low-Carbon Data Centre category, Meta Intelligence Ltd showcased its computational fluid dynamics simulation technology, which models and optimises data centre airflow to improve cooling efficiency. The system can reduce energy consumption by 20 to 30 per cent through dynamic mapping and adjustment based on server load and peak usage.
Meanwhile, Chimes AI applied its manufacturing data analytics expertise to design a machine learning model capable of detecting anomalies and determining optimal operating parameters — significantly improving operational efficiency while reducing the carbon footprint of data centre operations.
The Startup Challenge 2025 continues to serve as a key platform for fostering smart city innovation, enhancing Taiwan-Malaysia collaboration, and driving the growth of sustainable technologies across the region.
