The Executive Yuan’s National Development Fund management committee launched a service office for its Business Angel Investment Program June 24 at the Yawan Startup Terrace in the southern city of Kaohsiung, highlighting government commitment to promoting innovation ecosystems around Taiwan.
Kao Shien-quey, deputy minister of the Cabinet-level National Development Council, said that Kaohsiung is an emerging center of Taiwan’s artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries. The city, along with neighboring Tainan, is expected to play a vital role in initiatives including the Southern Taiwan Silicon Valley Promotion Plan approved by the EY earlier this year, she added.
The deputy minister further noted that the office will provide assistance and guidance to regional startups, which will accelerate the country’s goal to make Taiwan a global AI hub.
According to the NDC, the council will continue to support startups in southern Taiwan through methods including collaboration with other ministries and agencies to increase investment and encourage young people to create their own businesses. It will also promote regional innovation ecosystems by working with Yawan to regularly organize relevant activities and integrate resources from other institutions, it added.
As of the end of May, the NDF management committee has invested in 83 new ventures in southern Taiwan through various investment plans, with a total amount of NT$11.8 billion (US$401 million), the NDC said. Of those startups, 27 were supported by the angel investment program, it said. (YCH-E)
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