NTU Garage

For early-stage founders who do not need to look mature yet. You may still be testing the problem, building a prototype, or finding first users; Garage helps turn rough assumptions into verifiable next steps.

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NTU Garage helps early teams turn assumptions into a clearer next step before entering the market.

20teams

Selected annually

10months

Program duration

Program fee

100+

Alumni teams to date

0 program fee means NTUTEC does not charge a program fee; each team remains responsible for its own operating, travel, tooling, or external service costs.

Overview

Program overview

Founded in 2013, NTU Garage is NTUTEC's shared incubation space designed for early-stage startup teams. More than 100 startup teams have launched from here, moving from concept validation through MVP and market testing.

Unlike the intensive NTU Accelerator, the Garage is not meant to rush fundraising or corporate partnership. It is for teams that still need to make the problem, product assumptions, and founder rhythm clearer before moving into a more demanding program.

Benefits

The Garage provides early rhythm, not a generic resource package

Each element is meant to help your team test whether the problem, user, prototype, and next experiment are becoming clearer.

Virtual residency

Virtual residency at NTU Shiyuan Campus, with meeting room and event space access by center policy, flexible to fit your startup's pace.

Founder community

Build alongside fellow cohort teams and exchange customer discovery, technical, and operating lessons with peers.

Workshops and courses

Themed workshops covering business model design, financial planning, legal fundamentals, and other early-stage topics.

Mentor consultations

Request one-on-one mentor sessions for specific questions and operating challenges.

Accelerator pathway

Use the evidence built during Garage to prepare for the NTU Accelerator and other later-stage support.

Campus resources

NTU student, alumni, faculty, and research connections can become the starting point for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

NTU-affiliated teams are prioritized, with external teams considered case by case.

Teams composed of NTU current students, alumni, or faculty (external teams may be considered on a case-by-case basis — contact us to inquire)
At the concept validation to MVP development stage
At least 2 team members with a clear, shared commitment to building together
A compelling innovative technology or business model concept
Willing to actively participate in Garage community events and peer sharing sessions

Alumni impact

NTU Garage alumni (selected)

Selected public examples from Garage alumni show how early campus teams can later build stronger market and fundraising evidence.

Major fundraising

MoBagel

Public reports have cited US$21M+ in cumulative fundraising and 3,000+ served brands, including Fortune 500 companies.

Scale growth

Vocus

Public reports have cited 2M+ monthly unique visitors, 720K+ members, and 20K+ creators.

Pre-A fundraising

3drens

Public reports have cited nearly NT$100M raised, with investors including Taiwania, Living Water, and Kuangsin Capital.

Pre-A fundraising

Hotcake

Public reports have cited a US$1M+ Pre-A round and strong merchant retention, with plans to expand in Japan and Thailand.

Batch schedule

Cohort schedule

The Garage operates on an annual cohort basis, running from March to December each year. Applications for the 2027 cohort are expected to open in December 2026.

2026

2026 annual cohort (in progress)

March - December 2026

Current teams in residence.

2027 annual cohort application period

December 2026 - January 2027

Online applications open.

2027 annual cohort results

February 2027

Selected team list announced.

2027 annual cohort officially begins

March - December 2027

Ten-month residency period begins.

Demo Day investor and startup conversations

Investor access

Connection to NTUTEC Angels

Early-stage startups nurtured through NTU Garage may continue building relationships with the NTUTEC Angels Club. Investment decisions remain independently made by members.

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Pre-register

Interested in the 2027 cohort?

Pre-register your team now, and we will notify you as soon as official applications open in December. Pre-registration does not constitute an application; formal applications must still be submitted following the process.

Pre-register for 2027 notificationCompare programs

Program overview