The Startup Ecosystem of Taipei City

The startup ecosystem in Taipei is thriving, benefiting from a strong talent pool, supportive infrastructure, vibrant events, and proactive public sector initiatives. Leading the way is the Innovation & Incubation Center at the National Taipei University of Technology, which fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and provides essential support to budding entrepreneurs.

Infrastructure plays a vital role in Taipei’s startup scene, with prominent startup hubs like the Amazon Web Service (AWS) Joint Innovation Center, InnoSquare, and Taiwan Startup Terrace located in New Taipei City. The city benefits from the presence of major tech companies, such as Asus and Acer, as well as the semiconductor industry led by TSMC.

Events like Meet Taipei bring together key players in Taiwan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Private investment is on the rise, with the private sector contributing significantly to total fixed investment.

The public sector has implemented initiatives to attract and support startups. The Taiwan Employment Gold Card streamlines the process for foreign nationals to work in Taiwan, while the Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa provides entrepreneurs with one year to establish their businesses after arriving. The Taiwan National Development Council (NDC) has implemented a five-point action plan that includes tax incentives for angel investors. The Taiwan Tech Arena’s Black Card Program is designed to attract international serial entrepreneurs and investors, further integrating them into the local startup ecosystem. The government has also set a target to recruit 400,000 foreign professionals by 2030, emphasizing Taiwan’s commitment to fostering a diverse and innovative workforce.

The Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology, serves as a flagship startup program. With locations in Taipei and Tainan, TTA acts as a catalyst for the development of Taiwan’s startup ecosystem, bridging resources between different regions and connecting startups both locally and internationally.

With its talent, infrastructure, events, and supportive public sector initiatives, the Taipei startup ecosystem is positioned for continued growth and success, attracting entrepreneurs and investors from around the world.