HAOSHi Foundation
HAOSHi, the first Food and Agriculture accelerator in Taiwan, set out to foster F&A startups with international and innovative thinking. BMI designed and ran the Business Design program at the heart of the four-month accelerator, helping 12 early-stage startups explore, design, and validate viable, competitive business models.
The challenge
Rapid population growth, a deteriorating environment, and extreme climate threats have brought unprecedented challenges to the global agriculture and food industry, with the FAO warning that up to 600 million people could still be starving by 2030. The question was how to help F&A startups in Taiwan utilize limited resources to explore, design, and validate ideas and develop viable, innovative business models within a four-month program.
Our approach
BMI's Diane Shen and Helen Chen customized a Business Design Program based on the BMI Accelerator Program and BMI methodology, structured around three steps: Understand (clarify value chain, positioning, and current business models), Ideate (design business model options with the Business Model Canvas), and Validate (test the riskiest assumptions and identify investment readiness). Tailored case studies and coaching helped each team progress at its own stage.
The results
- Twelve F&A startups sharpened their value propositions, business models, and validation plans, culminating in the HAOSHi Demo Day and International Forum across agricultural technology, innovative food, and sustainable cultivation themes.
- Teams reported clearer goals, stronger strategic thinking, and new collaboration opportunities across the F&A value chain.
- The accelerator launched its second program in 2019, aiming to create more impactful change in food and agriculture.
The method stayed with the team. It always does.
Want resultslike these?
Explore the possibilities with Patrick van der Pijl and the BMI team. Every big shift starts with a conversation.