Startups
1492
Join the World’s Fastest-Growing Top-20 Ecosystem
From AI and hardware to healthtech, Taiwan pairs world-leading tech supply chains with open-work-permit visas and government co-investment for founders and investors.
Operated by 
Growth Rate
41.1%
Total Funding
$18.2B
Annual Ecosystem Growth
#1
in the Global Top 20
Taiwan’s startup ecosystem grew faster than any economy in the global top 20 and nearly three times the top-20 average in 2026.
As the world demands trusted supply chains and AI ubiquity, Taiwan delivers through our hardware leadership and high-density R&D. Our ‘Ten AI Initiatives’ provide a comprehensive innovation infrastructure for entrepreneurs to scale intelligent solutions and critical technologies from concept to global market entry at record speed. The Taiwan national startup brand, 'Startup Island TAIWAN', is dedicated to empowering our ecosystem's international growth. With hubs in Tokyo and Silicon Valley, we are paving the way for our startups to thrive and lead in the world’s most competitive markets.
CHEN-JUNG HSIAO
Director General, National Development Council (NDC), Department of Industrial Development
Latest Opportunities & Events
Discover the latest events and opportunities for startups in the portal.
Meet Taipei 2026
Taiwan’s largest startup festival, held at the Taipei Expo Dome since 2014. It brings together startups, investors and corporates, and has been open to overseas startups since 2016.
Available until:
21-11-2026
Business Angel Investment Program
The National Development Fund co-invests alongside angel investors in Taiwanese startups up to eight years old. Applications are open until the end of 2030.
Available until:
Ongoing
Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA)
The National Science and Technology Council’s startup hub, which has supported more than 1,000 startups since 2018 through incubation, matchmaking and international programs.
Available until:
Ongoing
Recent Articles & News
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Our Partners
Startup Island Taiwan
Ecosystem Stakeholders
Meet with the key players driving this vibrant startup ecosystem.
Notable Startups
Notable Exits
Top Coworking Spaces
Notable Organizations
Want to know more about Taiwan startup ecosystem and its benefits?
Contact UsTop Achievements of the Taiwan Startup Ecosystem
Rankings provided by
Enters the Global Top 20
#20
Taiwan climbed 5 places in StartupBlink’s 2026 Index, entering the global top 20 for the first time.
Regional Ranking
#6
Taiwan ranks as the 6th strongest startup ecosystem in Asia-Pacific, up one place in 2026, and posted the fastest growth in East Asia.
Taipei Tech Corridor
+15 places
The Taipei Tech Corridor climbed 15 places to #39 globally on 56% growth, the fastest of any city in the top 40.
Key Benefits of Joining Taiwan Startup Ecosystem
Talent and Open Work Permits
Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card combines a work permit, residence visa, resident certificate and re-entry permit in one document. It gives international professionals an open work permit, so they can change jobs or start a business, plus work rights for spouses and access to national health insurance. More than 17,000 Gold Cards had been approved by June 2026, led by professionals in business, science and tech.
A World-Class Hardware and AI Supply Chain
Taiwan’s hardware and electronics industries give startups an advantage few ecosystems can match. Founders building devices, semiconductors, robotics or AI systems can work alongside the world’s leading chip packaging and testing industry and its suppliers. The Taipei Tech Corridor, running from Taipei through Taoyuan to Hsinchu, is the ecosystem’s engine.
Government Co-Investment and Support
Public capital works alongside private investors. The National Development Fund’s Business Angel Investment Program had backed 305 startups by April 2026. The Ministry of Digital Affairs’ AI startup investment program, financed by the National Development Fund, now also accepts AI startups with offshore holding structures, provided their main operations remain in Taiwan.
Key Statistics
Startup Survival Rate
77%
Taiwanese startups still operating after five years
Chip Packaging and Testing
#1
In the world by market share and revenue
Investment in TTA Startups
NT$39.6B
Raised by startups supported by Taiwan Tech Arena since 2018
Taiwan Ecosystem Landscape
Taxes and Incentives
Gold Card Tax Benefit – For five years, eligible Gold Card holders pay tax on only half of their salary above NT$3 million.
Entrepreneur Visa – A resident visa for foreign founders, with eligibility reviewed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Department of Investment Review.
SBIR Grants – Up to NT$1.5 million for feasibility studies and up to NT$12 million for two-year R&D projects.
Youth Entrepreneurship Loans – Government-guaranteed loans for working capital and equipment.
Investment Landscape
National Development Fund: Taiwan’s main public co-investor, through the Business Angel Investment Program and AI startup investment program.
Taiwania Capital: a government-backed venture firm investing in semiconductors, biotech and other strategic sectors.
AppWorks: one of Asia’s largest accelerators and venture investors, focused on Greater Southeast Asia.
Startup Island TAIWAN: the national startup brand created by the NDC, with overseas hubs in Tokyo and Silicon Valley.
Ecosystem Milestones
2014
Meet Taipei launches and grows into Taiwan’s largest startup festival, open to overseas startups since 2016.
Taiwan introduces the Employment Gold Card, which combines a work permit, residence visa, resident certificate and re-entry permit in one document.
2018
2019
Startup Terrace officially opens in Linkou, turning the former Universiade athletes’ village into an international startup campus.
Appier, an AI company founded in Taiwan, lists on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2021
2024
Startup Island TAIWAN opens its first overseas hub in Tokyo, followed by Silicon Valley in January 2025.
Taiwan launches the Ten AI Initiatives, a national program to speed up AI development and adoption, with NT$31.1 billion allocated for 2026.
2025
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