TAIPEI, TAIWAN / NORCROSS, GEORGIA - American Megatrends Inc. (AMI), a Norcross, Georgia-based company and a global leader in BIOS firmware, remote management and network storage innovations, was recently awarded a NT$1.5 million research and development grant from the Taiwan City Government’s Department of Economic Development for its innovative touchless computer interface technology concept called “hOver”. Notably, American Megatrends is the first foreign company in Taiwan to receive this honor, a truly historical achievement, having been selected by a panel of five university professors from approximately 100 other Taipei-based companies in the technology sector.

The award was presented to American Megatrends on November 19th at the Taipei City Hall by the Mayor of Taipei, Mr. Hau Lung Bin, and is granted under the auspices of the Taipei Municipal Self-Government Ordinance for Industrial Development. According to the Mayor’s remarks during the press conference, the purpose of this research and development award is to further develop technologies created by local firms according to their potential to elevate local industry, improve the investment environment within Taipei and foster a positive impact on the local economy. The award is followed by an annual panel review, by which the grant can be extended annually for up to 5 years.

Clas Sivertsen, Director of American Megatrends’ Taiwan Branch, in his comments to the Mayor and audience at City Hall, discussed how AMI is firmly committed to making an impact on the local economy of Taipei by saying, “Three years ago, when I came to AMI Taiwan, we had 100 employees; now we have 500. AMI is a technology company, and Taiwan is a technology island, so it is a perfect match. I believe Taiwan is the next global technology innovation hub in some key areas: electronics, semiconductors and software. Combining these areas is where our company brings great value to Taiwan, and puts Taiwan in the best position to lead the world in delivering solutions for the service economy. This also puts Taiwan in the position to lead the world in the next economy - the experience economy. To do this, we need local talent, local technology partners and support from the government – to take new technologies and ideas and turn them into real products right here in Taiwan.”

Speaking about the hOver concept, which was the subject of the research and development grant, he added that “hOver is a technology that is going to change how the world interacts with computers, the next evolution in user interface. And it was invented by us, right here in Taiwan. We want to productize hOver in many different ways, to benefit products made here in Taiwan. Therefore I would like to thank the Mayor and the City Government for supporting us in developing these amazing new technologies right here on the ‘technology island’. I and American Megatrends are immensely proud to be doing this work here in Taiwan.”

Subramonian Shankar, American Megatrends CEO and President, offered these words: “I congratulate Clas and his team on their hard work in securing this award for AMI. We consider ourselves a company of innovation and firsts, and this new ‘first’ that we have achieved in Taiwan is a source of great pride for all AMI staff across the globe. The receipt of this grant award and the continued steady growth of our local operations underscore our commitment to Taiwan as well as the strong partnerships we have formed with manufacturers and suppliers in the region.”