The National Development Council of Taiwan (NDC) officially launched the "Silicon Valley Overseas Startup Hub" on January 13, 2025, U.S. time, at the heart of Palo Alto, Silicon Valley.
This marks the second overseas startup base established by the NDC, following the launch of an Overseas Startup hub in Tokyo, Japan, in October 2024.
The initiative highlights Taiwan's commitment to building a global network for innovation and fostering stronger connections with international startup ecosystems.
The Silicon Valley hub is strategically designed to bridge Taiwan's thriving startup ecosystem with Silicon Valley's vast resources, including venture capital, enterprise partnerships, and academic institutions. It serves as a two-way platform to enhance cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. in high-tech and deep-tech industries.
Minister Liu Chin-ching, Chairperson of the National Development Council (NDC).
Liu Chin-ching, Chairperson of the National Development Council (NDC), delivered a speech at the Taiwan Startup Hub in the United States.Image Credits: National Development Council
At the launch event, Liu Chin-ching, Minister of the National Development Council of Taiwan highlighted the rapid growth of Taiwan's startup ecosystem and its increasing global competitiveness. “In 2023, global startup fundraising experienced a sharp decline of nearly 40%, yet Taiwan’s startup fundraising grew against the trend by almost 10%, reaching a record-breaking $2.8 billion,” Minister Liu stated. “This demonstrates the strength of Taiwan’s technological capabilities and the resilience of our startup ecosystem.”
The government has committed $4.56 billion over the next four years to further enhance Taiwan’s startup landscape.
Minister Liu emphasized the importance of the Silicon Valley hub, saying, “This marks a significant step forward in building a bridge between Taiwan and the U.S. startup ecosystems. By fostering closer collaboration, we are ensuring that Taiwan's startups have the support they need to succeed on the global stage.”
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Startup Island TAIWAN’s Silicon Valley Hub and the Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator.
The partnership aims to create more opportunities for Taiwanese startups to access mentorship, resources, and venture capital in Silicon Valley.
Dennis Liu, Executive Director of Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley, stated that the hub will focus on three main directions in the future: fostering cross-border collaboration, connecting with U.S. corporations and venture capital resources, and advancing U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in deep tech.Image Credits: National Development Council
Dennis Liu, Managing Director of Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley, shared the hub’s mission: “Our goal is to connect Taiwan’s innovative spirit with Silicon Valley. This center will serve as a critical bridge for Taiwanese startups to enter the global market.”
Berkeley SkyDeck General Manager Sibyl Chen praised Taiwan’s entrepreneurial potential: “Each year, SkyDeck nurtures over 200 startups, and we’ve had more than 30 Taiwanese companies participate in our program so far. Taiwan is home to exceptional talent, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration with Taiwanese innovators.”
The event also celebrated the success of Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card program, which simplifies residency and work benefits for foreign professionals.
To date, over 10,000 cards have been issued, drawing outstanding talent from around the world to Taiwan.
The National Development Council (NDC) also announced a series of measures to attract international talent, including promoting the Employment Gold Card policy and the Digital Nomad Visa. Additionally, the NDC awarded Employment Gold Cards to professionals in Asia.Image Credits: National Development Council
During the ceremony, Minister Liu presented Gold Cards to two distinguished individuals: David Lam, Senior Advisor at BRV Capital, and Mark Birch, former Global Entrepreneurial Advocate at AWS. “These professionals exemplify the caliber of talent we are attracting to Taiwan,” Minister Liu said. “Their expertise will help strengthen Taiwan’s global startup ecosystem and enhance our competitiveness on the world stage.”
Additionally, Taiwan introduced its Digital Nomad Visa in 2025 to attract international digital talent, providing one-stop support services for foreign professionals looking to work in Taiwan.
The Silicon Valley hub will provide a wide range of resources to Taiwanese startups, including co-working spaces, professional consulting, education and training programs, networking events, and landing services to help startups expand internationally. “This hub is more than a physical space,” Minister Liu said. “It symbolizes Taiwan’s determination to connect with the global innovation community and build an ecosystem where startups can thrive, innovate, and compete on a global scale.”
With its strong manufacturing base and growing reputation in technology sectors such as AI, semiconductors, and green energy, Taiwan is leveraging its unique strengths to create new opportunities in the global market.
“More than 75% of startups fail, which is why the government is actively supporting Taiwan’s startups by offering overseas training programs and establishing platforms like the Silicon Valley hub,” said Ming-Chi Scott Lai, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco.
Ming-Chi Scott Lai also emphasized the hub’s role as a support system for Taiwanese startups: “When Taiwanese startups come here, they will feel at home and receive the assistance they need. Most importantly, they will have a better chance of being among the 25% that succeed.”
The launch of the Silicon Valley Overseas Startup Hub is a milestone in Taiwan’s journey to become a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. By connecting Taiwan’s vibrant startup ecosystem with Silicon Valley’s resources, the hub will serve as a vital platform for collaboration, growth, and global success.
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