InvestorEmpowering Taiwan's entrepreneurial ecosystem through technology and capital.
Taiwan startup and venture ecosystem
Where startups are forming across Taiwan: the cities, accelerators and investors, and how you get close to them.
The ecosystem
SMESA’s 2024 White Paper reports 9,576 startups nationwide at the end of 2024. Separately, SMESA reports 555 startup investment deals totaling US$2.774 billion in 2025, with an average deal amount of about US$5 million.
FINDIT displayed 11,100 startup records and 1,605 investor records for January 2015 through July 2026; its startup database includes ventures participating in entrepreneurship activities, public programs, startup bases, accelerators, or incubators. This is distinct from the White Paper’s year-end registered-startup count.
Sectors and strengths
SMESA reports that AI startups raised US$569 million in 2025, nearly 80 percent more than the prior year, while semiconductor startup investment reached US$442 million, up more than 70 percent. The White Paper associates Northern Taiwan with finance, smart retail, digital content, biotechnology, and electronic technology; Central Taiwan with precision machinery, smart manufacturing, automation equipment, and IoT; and Southern Taiwan with semiconductors.
As of . Official information. Source: 2025臺灣新創投資趨勢年報公布 展現我國新創產業韌性; White Paper on Startups
Hubs and regional differences
The White Paper reports 6,669 registered startups in Northern Taiwan, 1,166 in Central Taiwan, 1,445 in Southern Taiwan, and 117 in Eastern Taiwan as of December 2024. Its city tables list Taipei City at 4,060, New Taipei City at 1,293, Hsinchu County and City combined at 633, Taoyuan City at 567, Taichung City at 833, Kaohsiung City at 756, and Tainan City at 484.
As of . Official information. Source: White Paper on Startups
The four reported regional totals add to 9,397, 179 fewer than the White Paper’s national headline of 9,576 for year-end 2024.
As of . Official information. Source: White Paper on Startups
Capital providers
In TIER/FINDIT’s historical sample of 4,500 deals from 2015 through Q1 2025, corporate and corporate venture capital investors recorded 2,841 deal participations, about 63.1 percent of deal count; VC firms recorded 1,450 deal participations. These are investor participation figures, not exclusive allocations of capital.
As of . Official information. Source: 2025 Taiwan Startup Investment Trends Annual Report – Overview: Resilience and Challenges
The same report counted 445 foreign-investor deal participations over the historical period. For 2024, it reported 26 foreign-investor participations and separately placed foreign investor participation at 4.3 percent of deal count; its sample includes Taiwan-registered companies and overseas-registered companies founded by individuals from Taiwan.
As of . Official information. Source: 2025 Taiwan Startup Investment Trends Annual Report – Overview: Resilience and Challenges
For founders
Use the regional counts and sector descriptions as distinct location signals: Taipei City has the largest listed city count, while Central Taiwan is associated with manufacturing and automation sectors and Southern Taiwan with semiconductors. The White Paper’s regional figures total 179 fewer startups than its national headline, so retain that discrepancy when using the counts.
As of . Official information. Source: White Paper on Startups
For investors
The 2025 investment release highlights AI and semiconductors by funding value and year-over-year growth. Historical TIER/FINDIT figures record corporate and corporate venture investor participations alongside VC participations, and report foreign investors at 4.3 percent of 2024 deal count.
As of . Official information. Source: 2025臺灣新創投資趨勢年報公布 展現我國新創產業韌性; 2025 Taiwan Startup Investment Trends Annual Report – Overview: Resilience and Challenges
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Taiwan ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Listed as | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking | 2026 | Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) | #4 | Up 2 | B | Competitiveness, Business Climate, Performance |
 Bloomberg Innovation Index | 2014 | Taiwan | #10 | No prior edition | B | Innovation, Research |
 Doing Business (Ease of Doing Business ranking) | Doing Business 2020 | Taiwan, China | #15 | Down 2 | B | Business Climate |
 Global Innovation Index | 2009-2010 | Taiwan | #25 | Down 9 | A | Innovation, Competitiveness, Research, Talent |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (countries) | 2025 | Taiwan | #25 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
109 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Taiwan
Investors 71
Investor
InvestorInvesting in breakthrough technologies for emerging markets.
InvestorEmpowering high-growth potential companies in Asia-Pacific.
The 3 most prominent of 71. Browse all investors
Accelerators 17
AcceleratorAppWorks is a leading startup community and venture capital firm based in Taiwan, focusing on AI, Blockchain, and Southeast Asia startups through its…
AcceleratorKAMIA is an accelerator that supports the growth of businesses by providing access to expertise and capital. They focus on companies with strong…
AcceleratorHospital VC & Accelerator
The 3 most prominent of 17. Browse all accelerators
Venture studios 11
Venture studioAccelerating innovation in smart mobility.
Venture studioBridging traditional business with digital innovation.
Venture studioBuilding future businesses rooted in purpose.
The 3 most prominent of 11. Browse all venture studios
Incubators 10
IncubatorEmpowering startups for global success.
IncubatorFostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Taiwan.
IncubatorBuilding Taiwan's startup ecosystem.
The 3 most prominent of 10. Browse all incubators
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Taiwan
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Taiwan
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Taiwan
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Taiwan
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingCity guides
Cities in Taiwan
Questions about Taiwan
How does Taiwan rank as a startup ecosystem?
Its best position is #4 in IMD WCR (2026). It appears in 5 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Taiwan?
71 investors based in Taiwan have a profile here, including Taiwania Capital, Orbit Startups and CDIB Capital Group 中華開發資本. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Taiwan?
Yes. Taiwan has 17 accelerators, 10 incubators and 11 venture studios on record, including AppWorks, Garage+ and Mosaic Venture Lab.
Which universities are in Taiwan?
One university has a profile: National Taiwan University.
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