📢岳儒報您知~各位老闆看過來~~補資金、拚升級、助轉型
行業百百款,疫情期間,政府也要一起跟產業度過難關,經濟部推出產業的紓困與振興,防疫期間,先救急紓困,疫情結束,拚經濟振興!
✅補資金:
1️⃣舊有貸款展延:已辦理之貸款得申請本金展延,且減免利息,利息補貼最高0.81%(期限1年),每家補貼上限22萬元。
2️⃣營業資金貸款:支付員工薪資及廠房、營業場所或辦公場所租金為限,提供100%信用保證,利息補貼最高1.845%(期限6個月),每家補貼上限5.5萬元。
3️⃣振興貸款:振興所需之周轉性或資本性支出,提供80%~90%信用保證,利息補貼最高0.845%(期限1年),每家補貼上限22萬元。
🍀申請資格:
1.本國營利事業:依法辦理公司登記、商業登記、有限合夥登記、稅籍登記。
2.小規模商業:攤販、農、林、漁、牧業者、家庭手工業者、民宿經營者、每月銷售額未達營業稅起徵點者。
3.資格認定:自中華民國109年1月起任連續兩個月,其平均營業額較108年12月(含)前6個月或前1年同期平均營業額減少達15%,經主管機關或其委任、委託之機關(構)認定者,或經金融機構認定屬實者
🍀申請期間:109/03/16-109/09/15
🍀申請單位:各家銀行專責連絡人員
🍀「我想問問題」可以撥打專線:0800-056-476
✅拚升級:
產業升級-轉SBIR計劃申請-針對受疫情影響而發生營運困難之中小企業,鼓勵其持續投入創新研發,面對市場困境,加速提升產業競爭力。
1️⃣適用對象:中小企業
2️⃣申請方式:隨到隨受理、簡報申請、視訊審查
3️⃣申請時間:申請期間自公告日起至110年5月31日(一)17:30 止(本計畫為專案性質,俟經費用罄,即停止收件)。
4️⃣補助經費:於核定補助款額外加成30%,補助經費不超過核定總經費50%為限
5️⃣☎諮詢窗口:經濟部中小企業處SBIR計劃專案辦公室吳永芳組長0800-888-968,如無法撥通,敬請改撥02-23964828轉845、824丶814,將另有專人竭誠為您服務!
6️⃣「我想了解更多」看這裡:https://www.sbir.org.tw/
✅助轉型
1️⃣零售業者導入電商服務推動計畫:
🍀計畫目的:因疫情影響民眾來店消費意願,造成零售業經營困難,爰鼓勵我國零售業者上架電商平臺或自建平臺,以擴大銷售管道、促進數位轉型之振興措施。
🍀申請對象:零售業者
🍀申請資格:依法登記之零售業者、以實體經營、已受影響事業優先
🍀申請方式:採線上申請
🍀申請時間:公告日起至109/12/31
🍀補助金額:每案上限10萬元(共1000家)
🍀補助項目:零售業者導入電商服務衍伸費用
☎聯繫窗口:經濟部商業司/許小姐02-2321-2200分機8939
2️⃣餐飲業上架外送服務推動計畫:
🍀計畫目的:因疫情影響民眾來店消費意願,造成餐飲業經營困難,爰鼓勵我國餐飲業者上架外送服務,以擴大銷售管道、促進數位轉型之振興措施。
🍀申請對象:餐飲業者
🍀申請資格:依法登記之餐飲業者、以實體經營、以受影響事業未曾上架外送服務為優先
🍀申請方式:採線上申請
🍀申請時間:公告日起至109/12/31
🍀補助金額:每案上限1.5萬元(共11000家)
🍀補助項目:餐飲業者導入外送服務衍伸費用(包含上架服務、行銷服務及配送服務。)
☎聯繫窗口:經濟部商業司/ 陳先生02-2321-2200分機8388 ,賴小姐 02-2321-2200分機8364
3️⃣公有零售市場及列管夜市設施改善:
🍀計畫目的:協助傳統市場及夜市設施更新改善,以提升市集經營條件,提供安全、衛生、整潔明亮購物環境。
🍀申請對象:公有零售市場及列管夜市
🍀申請方式:執行機關提出計畫書予申請機關,申請機關彙提補助計畫,排定優先順序,函報辦理
🍀申請時間:自公告日起開始申請(競爭型計畫)
🍀申請流程:執行機關(直轄市、縣(市)政府、鄉(鎮、市、區)公所提出設施改善計畫書→申請及受補助機關(直轄市、縣(市)政府):彙提申請補助計畫、填具初審意見表→中部辦公室評審委員會函知審查結果→審查通過→核定金額、撥款
🍀補助金額:所需經費地方自籌與中央補助各為一定比率分攤,每處補助上限原則不超過500萬元。
🍀補助項目:有關安全、衛生、整潔明亮設施之設置、增設或汰換。
⭕️衛生設施:通風、集水、洗手台、排水溝等。
⭕️安全設施:路面、無障礙設施等。
⭕️優化設施:採光、照明、美學設計、區塊改造等優化場域。
☎聯繫窗口: 經濟部中部辦公室/張婉娣(049)2359171#5525 ,計畫辦公室張經理 049-2345260 。
4️⃣公有市場及列管夜市導入數位電商:
🍀計畫目的:協助公有市場及列管夜市導入數位電商,以因應時代趨勢,提升營運層次,增進營運績效。 1.公有市場導入電商或網路購物平台 2.列管夜市攤販提供外送服務。
🍀申請對象:各直轄市、縣(市)政府公有零售市場及列管夜市
🍀遴選流程:市場及夜市(攤商)填妥資料→各直轄市、縣(市)政府提報→中部辦公室遴選會議→公告入選→導入數位電商
🍀措施內容:
⭕️公有市場導入電商服務:全國示範10-20處(各200項以上商品上架)
⭕️列管夜市媒合外送服務:媒合200攤以上外送服務
⭕️導入數位支付服務:媒合新增約2000攤以上數位支付服務
☎聯繫窗口: 經濟部中部辦公室廖翊潔 連絡電話:049-2359171#5522
5️⃣推動商圈振興方案補助計畫:
🍀計畫目的:辦理改善商圈環境設施相關內容,包含環境美化、公共改善、標示優化、友善措施等。
🍀申請對象:依人民團體法或地方政府自治條例核准立案之商圈組織,且經各地方政府於109年4月10日函報本處之組織,最近一年依法召開理監事會議或會員大會。
🍀申請方式:線上申請 (http://www.smeacommercialdistrict.tw/),預計3/30日起開放申請。
🍀申請時間:自「經濟部因應嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎振興商圈補助要點」生效後至109年4月13日止。
🍀補助項目:
⭕️商圈發展:於指定商圈內,進行商品開發、培能訓練、數位應用及行銷推廣等相關商圈發展工作。類型及補助項目如下:
1、 聯合型:2個以上商圈組織共同聯合提出申請,可申請60萬至500萬之補助金額。
2、 單一型:由單一商圈組織提出申請,可申請30萬至100萬之補助金額。
3、 補助項目:包含特色行銷、培能訓練、商品開發、數位應用等。
⭕️環境整備:商圈組織與商圈內業者於指定商圈內共同改善商圈內之環境清潔、衛生、友善服務、特色設施等相關環境整備工作。僅限單一商圈組織提出申請,可申請至多200萬之補助金額,補助項目包含環境美化、公共改善、標示優化、友善措施。
☎聯繫窗口:經濟部中小企業處林毅誠專員 連絡電話:02-23662214,中衛發展中心 詹先生 (02-2391-1368#1379) c1379@csd.org.tw
☎因各行各業狀況不同,紓困專線由專人接聽、協助申請,於08:30~18:30撥打1988(一救發發)
同時也有10000部Youtube影片,追蹤數超過2,910的網紅コバにゃんチャンネル,也在其Youtube影片中提到,...
來 毅 數位 薪資 在 李文雄care中壢鄉親 Facebook 的最佳解答
平安 健康 快樂 有錢花 -- 李文雄
親愛的鄉親父老兄弟姊妹,大家好,我是前健行科技大學財務金融系副教授,也曾在中央大學及中原大學擔任過兼任老師,畢業於美國休士頓大學財務金融研究所博士班。
我的第一份工作是在金管會,後來也擔任過土地銀行常務董事,及其子公司負責人;在擔任負責人6年多期間內,累積了相當多的國會經驗,由於我在國會有豐富的經驗,未來如果有機會進軍國會,相信能駕輕就熟。
許多朋友問我,為什麼有起心動念來參與這一次的選舉? 我想佛法說的好,因緣聚集了,因緣成熟了,自然就會水到渠成。我想最初始就是看到了許多不合理的制度與法律,另外還有民生議題、居住正義、社會安全、財政紀律、靑年人的收入與小孩養育、老年人的照顧及身障者保險等相關議題,所以毅然決然的投入這次選舉,希望能夠透過國會的改變,來改正一些不合理的制度與規定,以符合全民的期待。
這次挑戰是「Mission Impossible」,是相當艱難的任務,期待各位鄉親父老,為中壢的經濟,國家的未來,我們一起來打拼「一支青雲箭,青天朝日中壢現」讓這次不可能任務的挑戰,能夠成功。
我常在想下面幾個問題,中壢的好朋友,您或許也會問自己: 第1個問題就是1.生活過得滿意幸福嗎? 2.薪水收入夠用嗎? 3.對老年有信心嗎? 4.中壢有像六都嗎?
近十年來國內薪資幾乎没有增加,但是物價房價漲幅相對大幅成長,對年青人形成一大負擔, 大部分年青人對未來充滿茫然,沒有目標,沒有期盼,認為未來20年30年,自己不會有什麼改變。我個人覺得唯有提高實質所得減低人民負擔才能普濟大眾。
第一要務就是要解決低薪問題:
台灣年輕人最大的壓力來自於收入太低,許多年輕人每月薪資落在2萬元到3萬元,實在是太少了,面對高物價高房價的環境,經濟壓力非常大,那有能力買房,更遑論生兒育女了。
記得有一天,我去某便利超商,問了一位年輕的店員,大約20幾歲出頭,我問他説:你生活最大的困擾是什麼呢? 他毫不猶豫的回答說,就是物價吧,物價房價實在是太高了,讓他喘不過氣來。由此可知,對年輕人而言,生活費是一個相當大的負擔;這與薪資收入太低,無法支應物價的上漲,是一體兩面。
第二要減少人民的負擔,首先居住正義、社會住宅及租金補貼,應繼續落實,也要盤點空屋,讓閒置空屋能夠活化,能夠釋放,這樣跟社會住宅互相配合以免製造更高的空屋率。
其次托育負擔方面,除擴大育兒津貼延到6歲金額加碼到5千元,政府也應廣推準公共幼稚園,解決公立幼稚園僧多粥少的問題,另外為鼓勵生育,在稅賦上也可思考ㄧ定的扣抵税額。
第三提供老年人更好的照顧,尤其在長照方面,政府服務可再升級,做得更圓滿,資訊更為透明;也可思考提供老人工作的環境,提高老人工作比率,與教育學習環境,減緩失智失能的發生。在財源許可下,爭取老人津貼補助到每月5000元,爭取提高老人住院醫療補助,減少對子女的負擔。
勞工的勞退勞保及政府的財政紀律都是相當重要的議題,目前的勞退新制,自願提繳並非強制規定,希望未來針對低薪勞工自願提繳部分,能爭取一些鼓勵補貼措施,並希望能爭取挹注財源,讓「勞保基金」能永續下去。
強化財政紀律,減少債留子孫:監督中央政府及地方政府管控舉債額度,開闢財源,避免債務超過上限額度。
中壢的交通堵塞是出了名的,像內壢交流道,應該要重新思考規劃交通的動線,改善交通的流暢。另外平交道不只阻礙道路與道路之間的連結,而且遇到平交道,大家都要擠在一起等火車通過,實在是非常危險,加速鐵路地下化,已是刻不容緩。公車站資訊應該要加速數位化,提供民眾班車到達時間的資訊,減少等車的時間。
其他政見包括:目前工業區多是傳統産業,應再轉型提升;健行科大、中原大學及元智大學可統合規劃為為新大學城,以綠地走廊作連結,尤其是內壢,地理位置介在兩所大學之間,相當宜居,可以發展成優質文教社區;目前周遭的環境,雜草多,電線多,空屋多,看起來並沒有好好的規劃。其實可以多費一點心思:內壢後站莊敬路,永福路電線桿應地下化;永福路跟新中北路間的荒廢地可闢建為公園,供民眾休憩。
另外,內壢營區可参考衛武營的規劃,變成公園、圖書館及開放式運動場所(不是蓋很大的蚊子館,而是像永和河濱公園開放式的棒球場跟籃球場)。
親愛的鄉親朋友,我這一次參選,是希望藉由國會的改變,來改變台灣的政治文化,超越藍綠,讓藍綠不夠半,讓中間力量,能夠制衡國會,更希望能為中壢的建設,更加快脚步。
假如我能當選,我會悉心聆聽民眾的聲音,我們一起努力,來「翻轉中壢,創造奇蹟」,為中壢的經濟,國家的未來,新的政治文化,一起打拚,讓「平安 健康 有錢花」美夢成真!
* 臉書粉絲專頁 「李文雄care中壢鄉親」
來 毅 數位 薪資 在 AppWorks Facebook 的最佳解答
昨天台灣大哥大發布訊息,自 2019 年 4 月 1 日起將聘任 AppWorks 創辦合夥人 Jamie 林之晨為總經理,長期關心 AppWorks 的朋友,或許會有些疑惑。其實不是 Jamie 換工作,而是 AppWorks 將與台灣大一起,挑戰一個放大 10 倍的計畫。在此跟大家分享 Jamie 的聲明,有更完整的敘述。
#以下是_Jamie_聲明全文
稍早台灣大哥大發布訊息,自 2019 年 4 月 1 日起將聘任為我為總經理,我的朋友們,以及長期關心我與 AppWorks 的媒體,一定會有許多疑惑,請容我在此統一向大家說明。
...Continue Reading
#EnglishBelow 稍早台灣大哥大發布訊息,自 2019 年 4 月 1 日起將聘任為我為總經理,我的朋友們,以及長期關心我與 AppWorks 的媒體,一定會有許多疑惑,請容我在此統一向大家說明。
首先,我不是接下了台灣大總經理的職位,而是接下了整合市值美金 120 億、營收美金 38 億的台灣大與市值美金 36 億、營收美金 25 億的 AppWorks Ecosystem,放大出 10 倍成果的任務。
這得從我的故事說起,如果您還沒聽過的話,我原本已經移民美國,和老婆小孩開心的住在紐約,2008 年,我在美看到 iPhone、Android 相繼問世,Facebook、Twitter 等社群媒體成為主流,意識到軟體的力量將越來越大,而硬體將越來越沒有價值,換言之,台灣的國際經濟地位將受到極大挑戰,因此決定舉家搬遷回台,推動台灣的轉型升級,以免我熱愛的福爾摩沙從世界經濟奇蹟變成失落的遺跡。
這是一個很大的決定,不僅我要放棄自己的美國夢,老婆、小孩都得跟著改變職涯、學涯,因此既然要做,就得發揮最大的 Impact。所以回台之後,我每天思考、決定、努力的,都是最大化我對台灣的貢獻。
因此這些年來我戴了很多帽子,表面看起來沒什麼相關性,但背後都有一個共同的目的,那就是推動台灣的改變。首先,我長期寫網誌、經營 Facebook 等網路社群、在《天下》等期刊寫專欄、出書、演講、接受採訪,心想的是分享新知、新觀念,散播進步需要的養分。
我與夥伴們成立 AppWorks,有系統的幫助年輕人創業,為的是培養千千萬萬帶領台灣前進的下一代生力軍。這也是為什麼 AppWorks 從 2010 年啟動半年一期的創業加速器,至今一直堅持免費提供。目前 AppWorks Accelerator 共畢業的 17 屆、925 位創業者,由他們成立的活躍企業高達 328 家,2018 年產值 760 億,提供 9,500 個工作機會,非常確切的為台灣貢獻一股向上動能。更重要的是,這些創業者們因 AppWorks 而相識相惜,形成一個緊密互助的網路,更是社會的長期資產。
當 AppWorks 在台灣站穩腳步,2014 年我們開始積極走訪東南亞,邀請優秀的東協創業者前來加入,希望透過串連跨國創業者網路,促進台灣的區域化,同時貢獻東協的數位發展。經過 5 年的推動,這個工作也有大幅進展,即將在 3 月進駐 AppWorks 的 33 組 AW#18 團隊,將有高達 19 組來自東南亞,包含他們在內,AppWorks 有 160 家企業在台灣以外的大東南亞市場有據點,形成一個真正區域化的網路。現在,來自台灣、香港、新加坡的 AppWorks 創業者要前往印尼、越南發展,可以很容易的找到 AppWorks 校友帶路,大大降低了區域化的門檻。
除了創業加速器,透過 AppWorks,我們同時努力創造更多台灣改變需要的新典範。以創業投資為例,我們 2012 年成功募集 3.2 億 Fund I,2014 年募得 15 億 Fund II,在 AppWorks 團隊的努力經營下,目前兩支基金的投資績效都是水準以上,其中 Fund II 至今的年化內部報酬率 (IRR) 達 29%,遠高於歐美同期創投基金的 Top Quartile (前四分之一) 指標。透過追求與國際一流基金同等的表現,我們希望促進台灣 LP (創投投資人的簡稱) 更有信心支持本土新興 GP (創投管理公司的簡稱),進而推動台灣創投業的復甦。
2016 年,我們出資成立 AppWorks School,每 4 個月一期,免費幫助年輕人透過實作學習程式、轉職工程師、加入成長中的數位行業,提升他們的職涯的同時,也為台灣貢獻人才。目前 School 已畢業 106 位學生,其中 85% 成功轉職,第一年起薪中位數達 67 萬。雖然杯水車薪,但我們希望拋磚引玉,刺激台灣教育的現代化,幫助年輕人準備好面對 AI 時代。
此外,AppWorks 雖然仍是中小企業,但受到的關注較多,因此也經常以身作則,為台灣業界示範新時代企業可以有的新思維。除了看齊國際優質創投的薪資獎金水準、年假無上限、自由選擇工作時間地點、新年假期長達三、四週外,我們更在日前啟動交棒計畫,讓年僅 30 歲的 Jessica 劉侊縈、40 歲的 Andy 蔡欣翰升任合夥人,希望激發台灣企業勇敢讓年輕人當家。
私部門之外,有機會推動台灣轉型的公領域活動,我也積極參與。2016 年,我從詹宏志先生手上接下 TiEA (台灣網際網路暨電子商務產業發展協會) 理事長,上任後便努力推動網路電商正名運動,成功說服了櫃買中心創立電子商務分類;2017 年起我開始擔任亞洲·矽谷民諮委共同召集人、數位國家諮詢委員、代表台灣參加每年四次的 ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) 會議,2018 年又奉總統之命擔任 APEC Vision Group 代表,與其他 20 會員國派出的先進,一起定義 APEC 未來的 20 年願景。這些雖然都是義務工作,但我都當作正職全力以赴,因為都有機會大大影響台灣的命運,以及在經濟領域的國際能見度。
最後,我去年決定再次舉家,準備遷往雅加達,同樣還是以為台灣貢獻出發。我觀察到 2.6 億人口的印尼正在快速崛起,短短 5 年內從有限的新創活動,到 4 隻本土獨角獸加 3 隻外來獨角獸的蓬勃景況,必須要幫助台灣抓住這個成長機會,但印尼商業生態與台灣大不相同,所以我決定進駐雅加達、深耕當地,希望能因此扮演帶領 AppWorks 新創進入印尼的嚮導,縮短我們與世界第四大國、東南亞第一大國的距離。這麼做得犧牲一些我在台灣的工作,但這些工作多半我的夥伴們可以承接,因此我便毅然開始行動。
講了這麼多,我其實只是希望您能了解,我大老遠從紐約搬回來的目的就是改變台灣,所以這些年來我做決定沒什麼懸念,因為不需要考慮自己的利益,只需要考慮在這個時間點,我做這件事情,是不是最能貢獻台灣。
如此我們便可以回到正題,這次的「台灣大 + AppWorks」專案。
不久前,蔡明忠董事長約我談話,詢問我有沒有興趣接下台灣大總經理的職位,一開始我其實是無法答應的,首先我已經決定搬去印尼,再來我也不確定接這個位子,跟貢獻台灣的關係。回去想了兩整天後,我有了答案,我跟蔡董事長說,必須有四個先決條件:
第一,結合台灣大和 AppWorks,用 AppWorks 生態系去幫助台灣大轉型為科技企業,同時以台灣大為平台去加速 AppWorks 新創的成長,因此創造更多成功的企業,為台灣示範成熟企業如何與新創實際合作;
第二,由 AppWorks 帶路,推動台灣大 + AppWorks 走出台灣,成為一個大東南亞科技集團,為台灣企業的區域化寫下典範,同時也成為能加速 AppWorks 新創區域化的大平台;
第三,以建立一個市值 1,000 億美金 (US$ 100B) 的科技集團為目標,創造第一個由台灣出發、真正達到國際級的非代工企業;
第四,所有因為台灣大 + AppWorks 集團未來的價值成長,公司依規定希望給予我個人的獎勵,要能全數由集團捐為公益使用,且專注在推動台灣的教育改革與電影工業上。
我跟蔡董事長說,如果以這四個目標為前提,那就值得我花 10 到 15 年的生命去推動。這基本上是我的夢幻清單,如果這麼做的話,能為台灣創造的貢獻,比 AppWorks 繼續獨立營運還會巨大許多,想不到蔡董事長毫不猶豫的答應。也因此,我回頭與 AppWorks 的夥伴們溝通,得到大家的支持後,我們決定一起接受這個挑戰。所以開頭我說,我不是接下了台灣大總經理的職位,而是接下了整合台灣大與 AppWorks,放大出 10 倍成果的任務。
當然,這不是一件容易的工作,發展新的商業模式,我或許有 20 年的創業、工作經驗作為後盾,但對於管理電信事業,對於領導一個 7,000 人的大集團,我有太多需要學習的地方,所以,我請蔡董事長務必持續扮演我的 Partner,在這個過程中一起確保電信本業的營運,好讓我們有最大的空間與時間,去爭取新事業的發展,為所有「台灣大 + AppWorks」的 Stakeholders,爭取最佳的長期利益。
未來幾年,將是電信業轉型的關鍵時期,去年 499 之亂加速電信用戶 ARPU (平均每戶營收) 的下滑,消費者換機時間拉長導致手機營收停滯,接下來資本支出是 4G 近 4 倍的 5G 即將到來,更讓電信長達 20 年紅利時代難以延續,AI、IoT、Blockchain、Cloud 等巨型典範轉移接連的到來,進一步逼迫電信業者不能繼續防守。
另一方面,電信業已經建立的品牌、長期客戶關係、大量用戶數據,卻是極有價值,可以更全面應用的資產。透過台灣大 + AppWorks 的結合,目前已經產生 760 億年營收的 AppWorks 的 328 家新創,以及未來將持續培養的更多新興企業,都有機會透過與台灣大的合作加速成長,而台灣大也能因此取得新的營收引擎,創造雙贏的局面。
所以,在可預見的未來,AppWorks 的方向不會改變,我們將持續邀請優秀的創業者加入,透過 AppWorks 原有的能量,以及新增的台灣大平台幫助他們。AppWorks 基金的營運也不會改變,事實上,加入了台灣大的能量,我們有信心能為 LP 們創造更好的財務、策略報酬。我的角色,除了新增台灣大總經理以外,也沒有改變,將持續擔任 AppWorks 的董事長、合夥人,戮力確保台灣大 + AppWorks 的整合能順利成功、長長久久,創造多贏。唯一改變的,大概是我的工作時間將會增加,因此要犧牲與家人的相處,在此先跟偉大的老婆、兩個可愛的兒子道歉,感謝他們對這個決定的支持與諒解。
至於搬遷至雅加達、引導更多 AppWorks 新創進軍印尼的計畫,很遺憾必須暫緩,所幸 AppWorks 的新任合夥人 Jessica (劉侊縈),已經承諾會扛起這個責任,相信在她的帶領下,AppWorks 的印尼計畫還是能夠大鳴大放、開花結果。
以上,就是針對此次台灣大 + AppWorks 的重大發展,向各位好友、媒體朋友的報告,懇求你們的支持。無論如何,我會持續為貢獻台灣而努力,希望我們這一輩的小孩們長大後,可以和我們一樣,以做台灣人為榮。
最後,預祝 您
新年快樂 諸凡順遂
助君張目 豬滿福保
Earlier today, Taiwan Mobile published an announcement communicating their intention to appoint me as the company’s general manager as of 4/1/2019. I’m sure this announcement may come as a surprise to many of my friends in the startup community, likely leaving you all with ample questions, concerns, and potentially even doubt. Let me take the opportunity to clarify the situation and explain the reasonings behind my decision for everyone.
Firstly, I must clarify that I am not merely taking over as GM of Taiwan Mobile, but taking on the bigger job of integrating Taiwan Mobile, a $12B market cap & $3.8B revenue company, and AppWorks, a $3.6B valuation & $2.5B revenue ecosystem, to amplify our impact by 10x.
But to adequately understand where we’re going, I think it’s important for everyone to know where we’ve come from. This begins with my story—for those of you that haven’t heard it before—which dates back to my time living in New York. It was around 2008 when I saw the launch of iPhone and Android, as well as the advent of Facebook, Twitter, etc, collectively catapulting social media into mainstream use. It was clear that software was increasingly taking over the world while the value of hardware was becoming more and more commoditized. This posed a dire existential threat to Taiwan, whose global economic contributions had been primarily driven by hardware and semiconductor manufacturing. This eventually prompted my resolve to move back to Taiwan and prevent our country from becoming a relic of the past.
This was by no means an easy decision. Not only did I have to give up my American dream, but my wife and child would have to completely uproot their lives, changing jobs and schools. It was a huge sacrifice on their end, so after moving back I dedicated myself to working hard every day to maximize my contribution to Taiwan and exert the greatest impact possible.
I have worn a lot of hats since, and it may seem that there is no correlation on the surface. But, there is indeed a common purpose behind them, which is to promote change in Taiwan. First of all, I have long written posts and columns in online communities such as my own blog, Facebook, and journals like “The Commonwealth Magazine,” while also giving speeches and interviews for a variety of outlets whenever possible. I see these activities as a way to share new knowledge, new ideas, and disseminate the nutrients needed for progress.
I set up AppWorks with my partners to systematically help young people start their own businesses and cultivate the next generation of business leaders that will steer Taiwan forward. That's why AppWorks started its semi-annual startup accelerator in 2010, and has been offering it for free ever since. With the addition of the latest batch AW#17, the AppWorks Ecosystem encompasses 328 active startups and 925 founders, having collectively generated US$ 2.5 billion in revenues and created 9,586 jobs—not an immaterial contribution to Taiwan’s economy needless to say. More importantly, we’ve created a tight-knit community where founders can form lifelong relationships, while seeking advice from both peers and mentors in good times and bad. I see that as a long-term value to society.
Once AppWorks took a firm foothold in Taiwan, we began targeting Southeast Asia in 2014 to invite outstanding ASEAN entrepreneurs to join us. We hope to promote Taiwan's regionalization through a network of international founders, and in turn, facilitate the development of SEA’s digital economy. We've made significant strides these past five years. AW#18 will kick off in March 2019, and consists of 33 teams, 19 of which hailing from countries across SEA and beyond. Spanning our entire ecosystem, AppWorks encompasses 160 companies currently operating in Southeast Asia, forming a truly regional network. Now, AppWorks founders from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are expanding to Indonesia and Vietnam, and it is easy to find local AppWorks alumni to lead the way, greatly reducing the barriers for international expansion.
In addition to AppWorks Accelerator, we have been working hard to create more examples for a modern Taiwan. Taking venture capital as an example, we successfully raised US$ 11 million for Fund I in 2012 and US$ 50 million for Fund II in 2014. Under the efforts of the AppWorks team, the investment performance of the two funds is currently above the industry average, of which Fund II has achieved an annualized internal rate of return (IRR) of 29%. This is much higher than the top quartile of VCs in both Europe and the United States. By pursuing the same performance as international first-class funds, we hope to encourage Taiwanese LPs (short for venture capital investors) to be more confident in supporting local emerging GPs (short for venture capital management companies) and to promote the recovery and ultimate longevity of Taiwan's VC industry.
In 2016, we created AppWorks School with the aim of helping the younger generation pick up new skill sets, enhance their careers, and join the growing tech industry. The school offers four-month free programs and has now graduated 106 students, 85% of whom have secured jobs as software engineers, with a median starting salary of US$ 21,833. Although our scale is still tiny compared to larger institutes, we hope our efforts have inspired others to promote the modernization of Taiwan’s education system and equip young people with the necessary skills to thrive in the AI era.
In addition, although AppWorks is still a small to medium-sized enterprise, it has received a lot of attention. Therefore, it often leads by example and demonstrates how to apply new thinkings to modern corporate management. In addition to internationally-competitive salaries, our colleagues enjoy flexible working hours and locations, unlimited vacation days, and several weeks off around Chinese New Year. AppWorks also recently launched an internal promotion track, promoting two of our very own staff to partners, Jessica Liu (30) and Andy Tsai (40). We hope that this move will also create a ripple effect across traditional Taiwanese industries, inspiring more local enterprises to put their faith in younger leaders.
Alongside the private sector, I am also actively involved in promoting Taiwan’s transformation through public sector activities. In 2016, I took over as chairman of TiEA (Taiwan Internet and E-Commerce Association) from Mr. Hung-Tze Jan (詹宏志). After taking office, I have worked hard to promote our industry and successfully convinced government cabinet members to create a separate category for e-commerce companies, which didn’t previously exist in Taiwan’s stock market. Since 2017, I have been the co-convenor of the Asia-Silicon Valley Development Agency Advisory Committee, advisor of DIGI+ Taiwan, and the country’s member in ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council). Most recently in 2018, I was appointed by the President to represent Taiwan in the APEC Vision Group, where 21 member states come together to define APEC's vision for the next 20 years. Although these are all voluntary work, I have treated them as full-time jobs because they produce opportunities that can greatly influence Taiwan’s future.
Finally, last year I was prepared to uproot my family again and move to Jakarta. With a population of 260 million people, I observed that Indonesia was a rapidly emerging economy, producing many areas where Taiwan and Taiwanese companies can contribute. In the span of just five years, Indonesia went from a barren startup landscape to producing four local unicorns and attracting the presence of three international unicorns. Although the opportunities are abundant, Indonesia’s ecosystem was much different from Taiwan’s, creating immense cultural, regulatory, and competitive barriers for Taiwanese companies. I had thus planned on relocating to Jakarta in hopes of better leading AppWorks startups into Indonesia and shortening our distance from the world’s fourth most populous country and GSEA’s biggest economy. I would have had to sacrifice some of my roles and responsibilities in my Taiwan, but I put faith in my partners and co-workers to fill the void.
With all that said, I want you to understand that the underlying mission to change Taiwan has never faltered. With this mission in mind, I’ve never hesitated in making decisions over the years because I’ve never needed to consider my own interests—but only the things I can do at the moment to best contribute to Taiwan and generate the most impact. It’s what prompted my resolution to move back from New York, my intent to move to Jakarta, and now my decision to take on this new opportunity with “Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks.”
Not long ago, the Chairman of Taiwan Mobile Daniel Tsai reached out and asked if I was interested in taking over as General Manager of Taiwan Mobile. At first, I was unable to take his offer because I was getting ready to move to Indonesia and I didn’t know how this would contribute to making Taiwan better. After allowing myself a few days to contemplate, I found an answer. I told Chairman Tsai that I would take on the position, but only if I can pursue these 4 ambitions:
First, leverage the AppWorks ecosystem to help transform Taiwan Mobile into a true technology company. At the same time, leverage Taiwan Mobile as a platform to accelerate the growth of AppWorks startups, thereby creating a successful collaboration template for other Taiwan & SEA large corporations to work with startups.
Second, with AppWorks leading the way, establish Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks into a regional technology group across Greater Southeast Asia, in turn, inspiring other Taiwanese companies to explore Southeast Asia as well as becoming a platform for startups to go regional.
Third, build Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks group to a market cap of US$ 100 billion and create the first non-OEM company that originates from Taiwan and truly reaches a global scale.
Fourth, throughout the process, all the bonuses I am entitled to shall be donated by the group to public welfare, focusing specifically on promoting education reform and the film industry in Taiwan.
I told Chairman Tsai if these are the goals, it’s worth dedicating the next 10 - 15 years of my life to achieve. This is basically my dream list. If I do this, the contribution to Taiwan and the GSEA region as a whole from the combined entity will be much greater than the continued independent operation of AppWorks. Chairman Tsai agreed on these four goals and gave me his promise, but it was still not a decision that I could make on my own--after all building AppWorks into what is it today was not something I did alone. Therefore, I went back to communicate with the AppWorks partners and team, and with everyone's support, we decided to accept this challenge together.
Thus, at the beginning of the post, I said, that I am not only taking over the position of Taiwan Mobile’s GM, but undertaking the task of integrating Taiwan Mobile and AppWorks to amplify our impact by 10x. Of course, developing a completely new business model is not an easy job. I may have 20 years of entrepreneurship and work experience under my belt, but I still have much to learn when it comes to managing a massive telecoms operation with over 7,000 people, most of whom are much more familiar with the industry than me. Therefore, I asked Chairman Tsai to act as my partner through the process to ensure the continued operations of the telecoms unit. This will enable more time and space to develop new businesses, benefiting all “Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks” stakeholders in the long run.
The telecoms industry will likely undergo a crucial transformation in the next few years. Last year’s “NT$499 war” accelerated the decline of telecom subscribers’ ARPU (average revenue per household). Longer replacement periods for smartphones have led to the stagnation of mobile phone revenues and the rollout of 5G will cost four times the capex as 4G. These factors all threaten the industry’s ability to maintain the fluid growth it’s experienced for the past 20 years. Furthermore, the arrival of paradigm shifting technologies such as AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Cloud have put all telecom operators on the defensive.
On the other hand, the telecoms industry has established brands, long-term customer relationships, and a massive amount of user data—all valuable assets that can be better maximized. Through the combination of Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks and the 328 startups that AppWorks has cultivated, all emerging startups will be able to look to the combined platform as a strategic engine for cooperation and growth. This is will also enable Taiwan to develop new sources of value creation--a win-win for both sides.
Therefore, in the foreseeable future, AppWorks will not change direction. We will continue to invite outstanding entrepreneurs to join our accelerator, staying true to the original ethos of AppWorks, while leveraging the new Taiwan Mobile platform to help them. The operation of AppWorks Funds will not change. In fact, with the backing of Taiwan Mobile’s resources, we are confident that we can create better financial and strategic rewards for LPs. My role at AppWorks will not change. I will continue to serve as a partner of AppWorks. I will ensure that the integration of Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks will be a successful, long-lasting win-win situation for all stakeholders involved. The only change is probably that my working hours will increase, effectively cutting into my family time. So first, I must apologize to my great wife and two lovely sons, and thank them for their continued support and understanding of this decision.
As for the plan to move to Jakarta and guide more AppWorks startups to enter Indonesia, regrettably it must be suspended. Fortunately, Jessica Liu, AppWorks’ newest partner, has promised to take up this responsibility. I believe that under her leadership, AppWorks' Indonesia initiative will still be able to make a big splash and develop fruitfully.
Hopefully, this post has provided you with all the relevant details regarding the Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks announcement. To friends and media, I sincerely appreciate your continued support. At any rate, I will continue to work hard to contribute to Taiwan. I hope that the children of our generation will grow up and be proud of being Taiwanese.
Finally, I wish everyone all the best. Have a wonderful and prosperous pig year!