iCAN Ministry of Science and Technology R&D Achievement Entrepreneurship Acceleration and Integrated Promotion Program
About the iCAN Program
To fully activate the industrialization of university and college R&D achievements, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) commissioned the Industry Accelerator and Patent Development Strategy Center (IAPS) at National Chiao Tung University to implement the "iCAN Program – Ministry of Science and Technology R&D Achievement Entrepreneurship Acceleration and Integrated Promotion Program" (Integrated Cross-campus Accelerator Network, iCAN).
Launched in July 2016, the program incorporates domestic and international accelerator practices to accelerate the commercialization of university R&D achievements.
This program integrates the government’s “Five plus Two Innovative Industries” (Green Energy, Biotechnology & Medical, IoT, Smart Machinery, Defense, Circular Economy, Artificial Intelligence) and conducts cross-campus startup selection, introducing an entrepreneurial acceleration ecosystem that includes CXO mentorship, angel meetings, executive investment, and business matchmaking. The main goals are fundraising for startups and international expansion.
- 2017 iCAN Program (Year 1): 28 teams selected and mentored from July 2016 to December 2017.
- 2018 iCAN Program (Year 2): 24 teams selected and mentored from January 2018 to December 2018.
Eligibility:
The program accepts teams from universities and colleges with R&D achievements that have previously received MOST funding.
MOST funding is defined as projects where the company's core technology can be traced to a MOST project number, including technology transfer or industry-academia collaboration projects.
Teams previously selected in programs such as Innovation & Entrepreneurship Incentive, Chuang-Jia Plan, or International Industry-Academia Alliance, as well as teams from R&D seed programs, are also eligible.
Application Procedure:
(This year’s application closed in February. Teams wishing to apply should check the schedule in January of the following year.)
Startup teams must apply through their school’s dedicated office.
Required documents:
1. Recommendation Summary Form
2. Startup Source Data Form
3. Declaration Form
4. Business Plan
Application instructions and relevant documents are published in the "Program Documents" section of this site.
Annual Schedule (updated 3/26):
1/24 – Application period begins (closed 2/27).
3/12 – Phase 1 preliminary review at MOST, 24 teams selected.
3/21 – Startup acceleration briefing and business training in Hsinchu.
Mid-March to mid-late May – Mentorship and training phase as detailed below:
| Mentorship Series | Format | Schedule | Location |
| CEO Mindset Class | Group Lecture | 3/21 Startup Acceleration Briefing & Business Training | Hsinchu |
| Financial Health Check (Including equity/fundraising planning, internal controls, etc.) |
Group Lecture Post-session practical exercises One-on-one arrangement |
3/21 Startup Acceleration Briefing & Business Training Late March |
Hsinchu (Not restricted) |
| CXO Joint Consultation | One-on-one arrangement | Late March – End of April | Hsinchu |
| English Pitch Camp | Group Lecture | May | To be determined |
