Our Story: Reimagining Hualien
Hualien is evolving from a scenic retreat into a global laboratory for the Wellbeing Economy.
Born from the MIT REAP framework, Hualien Venture Studio (HVS) was established to bring to life our "Farm to Health & Wellbeing" strategy – where we work with local stakeholders to shift the role of the farm from a traditional food supplier to a strategic foundation for innovation. Here, agriculture serves as the essential building blocks for biotechnology, precision health, and regenerative medicine.
HVS is not a traditional incubator; we are a hands-on co-founder. We aim to break the deadlock for high-impact teams often overlooked by traditional capital markets due to their localized nature, providing the "software" of global mentorship and the "hardware" of our 3-hectare Proof-of-Concept 農學苑 base.
By skipping the "Unicorn" hype, we focus on "Zebras" and "Phoenixes"—sustainable, regenerative businesses designed to scale from Hualien to the world.
The People Behind the Scenes
Benjamin Liao
President of HVS &
Chairman of Forte Hotel Group After years of leading international tourism networks, Ben is on a mission to prove that "localized" and "small-scale" ventures are the secret to a world-class Wellbeing Economy.
Kun-ru Wu
Advisor to HVS &
General Secretary of Hualien County Farmers' AssociationA strategic mind behind Hualien’s industrial shift who prefers the field to the office, bridging the gap between high-level policy and the dirt-under-the-fingernails execution farmers and startups need.
HVS Advisor
Dr. Samantha Huang
A strategy expert and the biggest advocate for HVS, Sam is a leader who moves beyond "funding" to act as a senior partner, precisely matching local strengths with global market opportunities.
Secretariat
Associate Director of HVSAletheia Tan
The bridge between Hualien’s quiet landscapes and the world’s loudest markets, leveraging a decade of leadership in the regional travel & art industry to make "doing good" a scalable reality.
The powerhouse of our "insane crew," Tiffany leverages her passion for healthy living and industrial design to turn Hualien’s challenges into flawlessly executed impact.
Venture Manager
of Forte Ventures