Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin visited San Francisco Jan. 23 as part of government expansion of cooperation with the U.S. in technological innovation, talent cultivation and startup promotion.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Kung led a delegation to Stanford University, in part to witness the renewal of the Taiwan Research Institute Entrepreneur Ecosystem Program between the Industrial Technology Research Institute and the Stanford Robotics Center and Engineering Center for Global and Online Education.
Launched in 2021 by the MOEA, the program selects five startups from Taiwan to receive consultation and training on funding strategies and business model validation designed by mentors from Stanford University. A total of 20 local startups have benefited from the program to date, the ministry said.
Under the latest pact, the ITRI and the SRC will step up partnership in talent exchanges, joint technology research and global ecosystem connection, the MOEA said, adding that it expects the initiative to reinforce Taiwan’s strategic position in the global artificial intelligence and robotics supply chains.
Kung said smart robotics is a key component of the government’s Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects initiative. Through the transnational partnership with the SRC, Taiwan will leverage its robust industrial prowess to help expand the worldwide reach of its smart robotics sector and enhance global competitiveness, he added.
Kung and his delegation also visited Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a global leader in electronic design automation, to exchange views with the company’s executives on Taiwan-U.S. semiconductor cooperation.
The minister praised Cadence’s long-term partnership with Taiwan’s semiconductor sector, as well as its contributions to the country’s industrial upgrade. Cadence Chief Financial Officer John Wall said the company will continue to expand cooperation with Taiwan via commitments to advanced technology, workforce expansion and an increase in business operation. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw