Nearly 20,000 Join the "Deck Party" — Keelung's Economic Development Director on Youth Entrepreneurship and Night Markets

Keelung Harbor's "Deck Party" has set sail — no boarding required! The event took place at the rooftop garden of the Keelung Harbor East Wharf Passenger Center, right in the front row of the harbor view. Kicking off on April 21 with a "Youth Entrepreneurship Market," the three-day event gathered 20 local Keelung youth-founded brands for exhibition and sales, featuring an AR app that brought Whale Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, and other marine giants swimming into the party alongside visitors. Over the three days, the event attracted a total of 19,665 visitors and generated revenue exceeding NT$336,000.

Keelung's Youth Brands Lead with "Ocean Elements"

Six live performers took turns on stage throughout the event, while the market covered all the bases of food, drink, and fun. Badouzi's beloved local shop "Bo Sheng Hang" served up its signature flying fish roe sausages — made with an impressive 15% to 30% flying fish roe content — drawing curious foodies from near and far. Ocean media outlet BlueTrend also drew crowds with a delicious offering: ocean-creature-shaped egg cakes fresh off the griddle, selling out within three hours of opening. The booth also introduced the brand's latest ocean board game, "Meow~ I Have an Island," which uses gameplay to spark reflection on the balance between marine conservation ecology and economic development.

"Every place has its own unique character — in Keelung, it's all about the ocean. This market, from food to cultural and creative accessories, is full of ocean elements," said Lin Ding-Chao, Director of Keelung City's Department of Economic Development. A veteran of youth entrepreneurship support who previously served as Director of Kaohsiung City's Youth Affairs Bureau, Lin noted that markets like this give young entrepreneurs valuable opportunities to be tested by the real market. He hopes the experience will help Keelung's youth startup scene become more market-oriented and scalable. Looking ahead, the Director expressed his wish for the market to become a permanent, regular fixture — not only showcasing Keelung's unique character, but also driving tourism foot traffic.

From Venue Selection to Business Mentorship — Supporting Youth Startups

Supporting youth entrepreneurs and hosting markets is a nuanced endeavor — and it starts with choosing the right location. Why hold the market at the rooftop garden of the Keelung Harbor East Wharf Passenger Center? Director Lin Ding-Chao explained that many events and youth co-creation spaces tend to be set up in vacant or idle venues, which can revitalize unused spaces but often struggle to attract foot traffic. The Department of Economic Development, therefore, insists on hosting its series of markets in the city center, ensuring youth brands gain maximum visibility.

In addition, the city government also provides youth startups with access to creative spaces, funding, and mentoring resources. "Starting out is always the hardest part. The toughest challenge for young entrepreneurs is guidance," said Lin. "Beyond helping teams strengthen their technical skills, products, and services, the Keelung City Government also helps youth startups learn about taxes and legal matters, and connects them with other people's resources — so entrepreneurs can avoid making unnecessary mistakes." To foster a healthy startup ecosystem, Keelung City has also drawn up an urban regeneration strategy, with short-term goals including the creation of a youth entrepreneurship showcase window, and medium- to long-term plans to establish a Youth Innovation Incubation Center and a formal youth entrepreneurship mentorship program.

"With a Theme, Form a Cluster — Make One Plus One Greater Than Two"

The focus goes beyond physical space; the emphasis is on providing youth entrepreneurs with more comprehensive consultation and mentorship — akin to the concept of an "Incubator." When asked whether there is potential to cultivate Taiwan's first ocean-themed incubator in Keelung, Lin Ding-Chao was optimistic: "Developing something like that in Badouzi would be great. With a theme, you form a cluster, increase opportunities for exchange, and make one plus one greater than two. And Taiwan doesn't yet have a marine-focused incubator."

Continuing to open up diverse possibilities for youth entrepreneurship, Lin Ding-Chao offered an exclusive preview: Badouzi will soon welcome a brand-new community development. An idle fish freezing plant will be transformed into a multi-functional venue similar to Tokyo's Tsukiji Market, incorporating a seafood supermarket and a marine-themed shared workspace. Lin excitedly announced: "Badouzi is going to get more and more lively!"

Tide & Horizon · Mountains and Sea Keelung — Deck Party Market Series

• Dates: April through June, every third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month, 13:00–20:00

• Venue: 35-coffee 3F Lido Butterfly Garden (Rooftop Garden of Keelung Harbor East Wharf Passenger Center)

• Rising Tide Overture｜Youth Entrepreneurship Market｜

• Dates: 4/21–4/23

• Coming Ashore｜Coffee Market｜

• Dates: 5/26–5/28

• Meeting the Wave｜Ocean Market｜

• Dates: 6/16–6/18

Further Reading:

• Tide & Horizon · Mountains and Sea Keelung Facebook Page
• Keelung City Department of Economic Development
• Keelung City Government Partners with Marine Citizen Scientists to Give the Ocean a Voice Through Photography
• Keelung's Chaojing Wang Hai Xiang — A Perfect Fusion of Marine Protected Area and Citizen Science
• Marine Protected Area Survey: Chaojing Beats Shen'ao! Uncovering the Differences in Management Measures and Intensity