ITRI Selected as One of Top 100 Global Innovators by Thomson Reuters

HSINCHU, TAIWAN--(Marketwired - Jan 26, 2015) - The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has again been singled out as a global innovator! Thomson Reuters announced that it has selected ITRI for its 2014 Top 100 Global Innovators list, making ITRI the only scientific research institution in Taiwan to win this honor. Thomson Reuters recognized that ITRI promotes innovative R&D and exhibits impressive R&D capabilities.

"We are pleased to honor ITRI as a Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global Innovator 2014 based on quantitative analysis of their intellectual property portfolio," said Tony Kinnear, managing director of ASEAN and North Asia, Thomson Reuters. "Since 1973, ITRI has been investing in applied research, software and services to help industries innovate and stay competitive, transforming Taiwan from a labor-intensive industry into a value-added, technology-driven economy. This global award is a recognition of the ITRI organization's drive for excellence in innovation."

Dr. Shuo-Hung Chang, ITRI's Executive Vice President, remarked that ITRI actively involves itself in state-of-the-art science and technology-related R&D, playing an important role as a partner to local industry. Through technology transfers and industrial services, ITRI helps ensure that R&D successes are commercialized and find industrial applications. This assists in enhancing the competitiveness of industry and sets the foundation for emerging industries to take root. According to Chang, ITRI in recent years has also aggressively promoted startups, investing in companies and areas that are considered high risk, have high technical thresholds, and require relatively long and complex R&D periods. These ventures are poised to set themselves apart from others in the marketplace, and the leading R&D achieved is expected to create the foundation for successful startups. ITRI founded 11 startups in 2014, hoping that these firms will help to underpin a transition in Taiwan's industrial structure and bolster industrial momentum.

ITRI also engages in international cooperation on an institution-to-institution basis. It has links with many domestic and international industries and academic institutions, adding depth to its international presence and helping to broaden markets for various industries. ITRI and local universities have established theme-based joint R&D centers, thereby creating long-term mutually beneficial collaborative relationships.

Launched in 2011, the Top 100 Global Innovators program calls out the most innovative organizations in the world. This is the first time ITRI has made the list on par with international companies or institutions such as Google, Qualcomm, Panasonic, Fujitsu, CNRS, and Fraunhofer. This suggests ITRI's efforts in strengthening its R&D innovation capacity have earned it a global presence.

About ITRI
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into technology-oriented. Over the years, ITRI has accumulated over 21,000 patents, cultivated more than 140 CEOs, and incubated over 240 innovative companies, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC.

ITRI focuses on the fields of Smart Living, Quality Health, and Sustainable Environment. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in Silicon Valley, Tokyo, Berlin, Moscow and Eindhoven in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote opportunities for international cooperation around the world. For more information please visit http://www.itri.org.tw/eng.