WeeklySA_AdminTECHNOLOGY: Entrepreneurs, researchers, healthcare professionals and community innovators have until next month to submit solutions that combine South African ingenuity with Taiwanese technology in a global competition aimed at improving health and community wellbeing…
By WSAM Reporter
South African innovators have been invited to showcase their ideas on the global stage through the launch of the Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026 campaign.
The international initiative seeks practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges while offering winners funding, mentorship and international partnerships.
Officially launched in Johannesburg by Impilo Global Events in partnership with Taiwanese stakeholders, the campaign aims to connect South African innovation with Taiwan’s globally recognised expertise in healthcare technology, wellness, fitness, cycling and smart medical solutions.
The initiative is open to entrepreneurs, universities, NGOs, healthcare professionals, researchers, sports scientists, technology developers and community leaders who have ideas capable of improving health outcomes and community wellbeing.
Participants are invited to submit proposals that combine local implementation with Taiwanese technologies and expertise to address real challenges facing South African communities.
Three winning proposals worldwide will each receive about R480 000, while the top six finalists will travel to Taiwan for enterprise visits, health innovation experiences and professional pitch coaching. The top 20 finalists will also benefit from one-on-one mentorship and collaboration opportunities with Taiwanese companies.
Speaking at the Johannesburg launch, Angela Yeung, founder of Impilo Global Events, said international collaboration was increasingly essential in tackling healthcare challenges.
“Some of our greatest healthcare challenges require collaboration beyond borders. No country can solve these challenges alone. Through this campaign, South Africans have the opportunity to connect local ideas with global partnerships and innovative technologies that can improve lives and create lasting impact in our communities.”
CJ Lo, Director of the Economic Division at the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa, said Taiwan wanted innovation to translate into practical benefits for ordinary people.
“You might know Taiwan for our high-tech chips or world-class healthcare, but innovation only matters when it improves people’s lives. Through this campaign, we invite South Africans to share their ideas, identify local needs and work with Taiwanese solutions to build healthier communities from the ground up.”
The campaign is looking for scalable projects spanning health technology, preventative healthcare, wellness systems, sports science, fitness innovation and broader community wellbeing.
Organisers say the programme has already demonstrated strong global interest. Last year’s competition attracted 638 proposals from 55 countries, underscoring Taiwan’s growing role as an international partner in healthcare innovation.
Ellen Hsu, Director of the Taiwan Trade Centre Johannesburg, said South Africa had already shown encouraging potential during the previous campaign.
“Last year our promotion in South Africa was limited, yet we still received several proposals that impressed us greatly. That showed us the tremendous potential that exists here. This year we are expanding our efforts because we believe South Africa has the talent, creativity and innovation needed to compete internationally.”
She added that organisers hoped to see a South African project emerge among the global winners and showcase locally developed solutions on the international stage.
South Africa Brand Ambassador for Go Healthy with Taiwan, Clive Maistry, described the initiative as more than simply a competition.
“This campaign is far more than a competition. It is a platform for creating meaningful partnerships, sharing ideas across borders and developing practical solutions that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. Having recently experienced Taiwan’s remarkable healthcare innovation ecosystem firsthand,
I believe South Africans have a unique opportunity to transform local challenges into globally connected solutions.”
Organisers are encouraging entries from the healthcare, education, technology, entrepreneurship, sports, wellness and social development sectors.
Beyond the financial rewards, the campaign aims to strengthen collaboration between Africa and Asia while demonstrating how international partnerships can accelerate innovation and improve the quality of life for communities.
Submissions close on August 5 2026, with organisers urging South Africans to seize the opportunity to take locally developed ideas onto the global stage.
