Dessert Shop Adds 700,000 in Annual Revenue: Hsinchu Mayor Lin Chih-chien Says SBIR Is a Great Help

To promote the development of local small and medium-sized enterprises, the Hsinchu City Government has run the "Local SBIR Program" for five consecutive years, opening it up to local industries to apply for funding for technology research and development. Mayor Lin Chih-chien pointed out that the program has so far injected funding into 130 manufacturers, creating 4 billion in output value and more than 150 jobs, and has also uncovered many promising local industries.

"Dou Lian Mi Handmade Soup," rated by netizens as the "best-tasting red bean soup," is a popular hidden food gem of Hsinchu City. Person in charge Chen Yiru shared her experience of implementing SBIR. Although the shop has cultivated a stable fan base over its 5 years since founding, limited production capacity in its manufacturing process meant that in the past it often had to painfully turn down an endless stream of orders. Last year it applied to the SBIR program, and in addition to making good use of the subsidy funds for research and development, shortening the production process, and extending product shelf life, it also partnered with Yuanpei University of Medical Technology for industry-academia cooperation, invested in new product development, and successfully registered a patent. Less than 1 year into the program, it had already reduced labor costs by 200,000 people, and its three branches together added 700,000 in revenue.

The Department of Economic Development said the SBIR program targets promising local industries, from food processing and local crafts to cloud technology industries, with diverse industries receiving subsidies. This year the program started early, and applications are being accepted from now until July 7. Those whose plans are approved may receive up to 1 million in subsidies. To help enterprises successfully apply for subsidies, the Hsinchu City SBIR Project Office will hold two "publicity briefings" and "proposal writing courses," respectively on June 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the first-floor meeting room of the main plant of the Silicon Valley Hsinchu Science Park Business Center, and on the 26th at 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 201 of the Taiwan Science Park Industrial Park Science Industry Association. Small and medium-sized enterprises in Hsinchu City are sincerely invited to sign up and participate.