IAPS Signs MOU with Leave a Nest, Enhancing Collaboration of ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator and Deep-Tech

IAPS, NYCU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 29, 2025, with Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. Through this MOU, both parties aim to strengthen science and technology-based startup support in Taiwan and Japan, while accelerating the formation of a deep-tech ecosystem across the APAC region.

With its vision of “Advancing Science and Technology for Global Happiness,” Leave a Nest has been fostering the knowledge manufacturing industry by forming collaborations with universities, research institutes, and startups. As part of this mission, the company launched the TECH PLANTER program in 2014 to discover and nurture deep-tech startups. Since then, the program has expanded both domestically and internationally.  In Taiwan, TECH PLANTER was conducted from 2014 to 2017, with activities based in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. During that period, Leave a Nest collaborated with multiple universities and accelerators, including IAPS, to identify and support promising deep-tech entrepreneurs.

The ASPN Sports Tech Accelerator Program, executed by IAPS, has been actively promoting the international expansion of Taiwan’s sports technology innovation teams and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region—particularly in exploring opportunities to enter the Japanese market. During this visit, ASPN led a delegation of seven innovative startups cultivated by the accelerator program, including from Taiwan, South Korea, and Malaysia. Each startup presented their technologies or services and engaged in in-depth discussions with the Leave a Nest members. The dialogue focused on opportunities for market entry into Japan and potential avenues for collaboration and resource sharing with Leave a Nest. The startups expressed that Leave a Nest’s strong academic foundation provided them with valuable insights and practical advice, greatly enhancing their confidence in exploring business opportunities in Japan.

The signing of this MOU reaffirms the long-standing partnership between IAPS and Leave a Nest. Both parties look forward to building a more sustainable and impactful Taiwan-Japan innovation platform through this collaboration, while also supporting ASPN startups in expanding into the Japanese market and reaching greater heights on the international stage.