Taipei recently concluded its much-anticipated StartSphere Taipei 2024, a 3-day international innovation and entrepreneurship expo that has solidified its place as a global hub for tech innovation. Held from September 4 to 6, the event attracted over 20 international venture capital firms, tech unicorns, and AI startups from across Asia and the United States, further enhancing Taipei’s reputation as an entrepreneur-friendly city and a thriving center for the global innovation community.

Unifying Global Tech Innovators Themed “Today's Technology, Tomorrow's Trends”, StartSphere Taipei brought together key players from countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and the U.S. The event showcased Taipei’s innovation ecosystem and created opportunities for cross-border collaboration, particularly in the consumer tech, fintech, entertainment, and AI sectors.

The opening ceremony, led by Taipei City Deputy Secretary-General Lin Zhehong alongside representatives from Japan and South Korea, set a dynamic tone for the event. In an innovative gesture, the officials symbolically “charged” the event, signifying the energizing effect on Taipei’s startup ecosystem.

Showcasing Tech Unicorns One of the event's most notable highlights was the Unicorn Forum on September 5, where several high-profile unicorns shared their insights. Leading the charge were Kopi Kenangan and Xendit from Indonesia, alongside the U.S.-based Botrista, renowned for its automated beverage solutions. These industry leaders delved into discussions on AI applications and emphasized the strategic advantages of Taiwan-U.S. tech collaboration.

Exploring Global Investment Opportunities The International Venture Capital and Media Forum also drew widespread attention, gathering participants from over eight countries, including Japan’s Z Venture Capital and Indonesia’s Northstar Ventures. Taiwanese success stories, like FunNow and Cherri Tech Inc. (TapPay), were also featured, underscoring the impact of innovative startups in shaping new digital lifestyles. Representatives from leading tech media outlets like South Korea’s The Pickool and Thailand’s Techsauce contributed to the vibrant exchange of ideas, fostering collaboration across borders.

Entertainment and Cultural Tech at the Forefront Another pivotal moment came during the Digital Pulse Forum, where industry leaders from South Korea discussed strategies for promoting entertainment industries globally. This included discussions on leveraging digital innovation to bring South Korean cultural phenomena like K-POP and films such as “Parasite” and “Train to Busan” to wider global audiences. South Korea’s SmartStudy Ventures and Goyang Investment Authority expressed interest in deepening their collaboration with Taipei, particularly in the realm of entertainment technology.

Taipei’s Vision for AI and Smart Cities Taipei’s strategic focus on AI and smart city development was a recurring theme throughout StartSphere 2024. The Taipei City Government has been aggressively promoting AI adoption, 5G integration, and IoT technologies to enhance the city’s infrastructure and governance. Initiatives like the Taipei Big Data Center and Honghui Ruiguang Plaza (t.Hub) are part of broader efforts to position Taipei as a leading city in AI-driven innovation and sustainable urban development.

Looking Ahead With the success of StartSphere Taipei 2024, the city is well on its way to becoming a major player in the global tech arena. StartSphere has not only put Taipei on the map as a hotspot for innovation but also showcased the city's commitment to fostering international collaboration.

In the coming weeks, Taipei will continue its momentum by participating in the 2024 Japan-Taiwan Innovation Summit from September 16 to 18 in Tokyo. Co-organized with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, this summit promises to build on the strong foundation laid at StartSphere, driving deeper ties between Taiwanese and Japanese innovators.

As the event concluded, Chen Jun-An, Director of Taipei City Government’s Department of Economic Development, remarked: “We hope that StartSphere Taipei will continue to attract international resources and talent to focus on Taipei, invigorating our local innovation ecosystem and driving Taipei towards becoming a leading innovation city in Asia.”