CrossBond in collaboration with Startup Terrace Kaohsiung at the Global Startups Exchange Program
CrossBond is excited to collaborate with Startup Terrace Kaohsiung, continuing our commitment to the Taiwan-Philippines Startup Program! This incredible event brought together startup teams from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, offering valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking. Here’s a detailed recap of our four-day journey:
Day 1: Insights and Opportunities for Global Startups
On our first day, KPMG presented an in-depth overview of the legal framework for global startups in Taiwan, detailing company types, tax differences, investment procedures, and essential information on visa applications and trade tariffs.
Tina from the Institute for Information Industry shared valuable insights on the process and requirements for obtaining an Entrepreneur Visa, highlighting the simple application process and low barriers, showcasing Taiwan’s warm and welcoming environment for foreign startups.
Dr. Fan from the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research provided a comprehensive analysis of Taiwan’s economic environment and startup ecosystem. He emphasized Taiwan’s strategic geographic advantages and abundant government resources, encouraging global startups to set up offices in Taiwan to foster long-term growth and success.
Day 2: Driving Innovation in Smart Cities
Our Day 2 journey began at the Way South International Startup Forum. Patrick Lam, CEO of ACE, explored the crucial role startups play in developing smart cities. By fostering a community ecosystem that connects businesses, investors, and partners, startups can accelerate the development and progress of smart cities.
Dr. Albert Fan from TAITRA discussed how the post-pandemic era and the US-China trade war have driven significant changes in supply chains. Taiwan has responded by investing heavily in sustainable smart technologies, surpassing China’s investment in 2023. The panel discussion that followed highlighted data privacy as a significant challenge in developing smart cities and underscored that cross-cultural and cross-sector collaboration will be key for future sustainable growth, with localization playing an essential role in international expansion.
Later that evening, CrossBond was delighted to host an event to welcome startups from Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore at the Startup Linkup Networking Night. We enjoyed connecting through self-introductions and puzzle-solving games, celebrating the diversity of cultures represented.
Day 3: Exploring Taiwan’s Industrial Landscape
On Day 3, we were introduced to the “Global Research & Industry Alliance” by Jackson Yang, PM from the Southern Taiwan Science and Industry Platform Alliance. This initiative integrates academic research with industry, providing platforms and services that help startups achieve smooth soft landings in Taiwan through investment, consulting, and training.
Jhon Ning from KPMO shared insights on Kaohsiung’s startup ecosystem and its progress in smart city development, such as incorporating 3D building monitoring for real-time tracking of typhoons and floods. Rocky Liu, Technical Manager at System, presented their cutting-edge solutions in digital transformation, covering smart manufacturing, green technology, and smart healthcare, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness.
In the afternoon, CrossBond and participating startups visited Pumpkin Studio, where co-founder Terry Chen shared the company’s dedication to developing AR experiences. Pumpkin Studio is expanding its international reach and aims to be a leader in VR system development, collaborating with global companies like SmileGate (Korea) and Sega (Japan).
We hope that these speaker sessions and company visits have deepened the understanding of Taiwan’s industrial environment and fostered more opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
Day 4: Showcasing Global Innovation
