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Startup Island TAIWAN Podcast

Startup Island TAIWAN Podcast

Meet Global @Business Next Media

96 episodesEN

Show overview

Startup Island TAIWAN Podcast has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 96 episodes. That works out to roughly 50 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.

Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 25 min and 36 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2023, with 32 episodes published. Published by Meet Global @Business Next Media.

Episodes
96
Running
2022–2026 · 4y
Median length
31 min
Cadence
Fortnightly

From the publisher

This is Startup Island TAIWAN Podcast, everything about Taiwan in cutting-edge technology, startup unicorns, and connections to the world. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 👉More news of Taiwan startups: https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u 👉Follow us on LinkedIn: https://meetstartup.pse.is/4hhbhg Produced by Meet Global, Business Next Media *Special Thanks: Powered by Startup Island TAIWAN Directed by National Development Council Powered by Firstory Hosting

Latest Episodes

View all 96 episodes

EP3-37 | What Makes AI Leaders Different? The Taiwan Connection Behind Jensen Huang and the AI Boom

May 12, 202622 min

EP3-36 | 【AI News】Innovation as Taiwan's Defense Backbone

May 4, 202623 min

EP3-33 | 【 VC Talks 】The MedTech Visionary: Felix Oen’s Strategy for Clinical Innovation

Apr 27, 202629 min

EP3-34 | 【AI News】The IPO Year: SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic and Canva

Apr 20, 202620 min

EP3-33 | 【 VC Talks 】Charles Huang: Relationship EQ as a Founder's Most Valuable Asset

Apr 13, 202630 min

EP3-32 | 【AI News】Artemis Return to the Moon:A New Shot for Taiwan

Apr 6, 202617 min

S3 Ep 31EP3-31 | VC Talks: Volker Heistermann | Building Real Relationships in the Tech Ecosystem

In this episode, we sit down with Volker Heistermann, co-founder of Mosaic Venture Lab, to explore his 30-year journey across the tech landscapes of Silicon Valley, Taiwan, and Germany. Volker breaks down the reality of Silicon Valley’s "inner circle," explaining why international success requires more than just a pitch deck or a round-trip ticket—it demands a "one-way ticket" commitment and deep local integration. From his early days building Taiwan’s app economy to his current focus on semiconductor and healthcare VC investments, he shares invaluable insights on avoiding common pitfalls, the importance of hiring local experts, and how to forge authentic, long-lasting relationships within the global tech ecosystem.在本集節目中,我們邀請到 Mosaic Venture Lab 共同創辦人 Volker Heistermann,分享他在矽谷、台灣與德國之間超過三十年的跨國創業與投資觀察 。Volker 深入剖析了矽谷「圈內人」與「圈外人」的本質差異,強調進軍國際市場不能只靠短期拜訪或投簡報,而是需要「單程機票」的決心與長期的在地深耕 。從早期在台灣建立 App 生態系,到如今專注於半導體與醫療產業的創投轉型,他將告訴創業者如何透過真正的文化理解與專業人才佈局,在競爭激烈的科技生態系中建立具備信任感的深度連結 。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Mar 31, 202630 min

S3 Ep 30EP3-30 | 【AI News】NVIDIA GTC 2026 : Recap

This podcast dives into the groundbreaking announcements from NVIDIA GTC 2026, marking the official dawn of the agentic and physical AI era. We explore CEO Jensen Huang's vision of transitioning from traditional data centers to "AI factories" that manufacture intelligence, converting power into "tokens" as the new economic unit. Key highlights include the staggering projection of $1 trillion in AI infrastructure demand and the unveiling of the vertically integrated Vera Rubin computing platform. Furthermore, we discuss the revolutionary OpenClaw, an open-source operating system likened to "Android for agents", and the leap into physical AI with Cosmos for robotics. Tune in to understand how NVIDIA is architecting the foundational infrastructure of the next digital economy. 本集 Podcast 帶您深入了解 2026 年 NVIDIA GTC 大會,見證「代理與實體 AI」時代的正式來臨。我們將解析黃仁勳的最新願景:傳統資料中心正轉型為製造智慧的「AI 工廠」,將電力轉化為「代幣(Tokens)」以作為新型經濟單位。 節目將探討高達一兆美元的 AI 基礎設施需求、全新的 Vera Rubin 運算平台,以及被譽為「代理界 Android」的開源作業系統 OpenClaw。歡迎收聽本集節目,了解 NVIDIA 如何建構未來數位經濟的核心基礎設施。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Mar 23, 202639 min

S3 Ep 29EP3-29 | 【AI News】NVIDIA GTC 2026 !

Welcome to this audio special on Nvidia GTC 2026, the company's most anticipated event of the year. As the tech world gathers in San Jose, we tune in to CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote to hear about the next frontier of AI. This year, the conversation shifts from model training to AI inferencing efficiency. We discuss Nvidia’s strategic integration of Groq’s "Language Processing Unit" (LPU) technology, which claims to run large language models up to 10 times more efficiently than traditional GPUs. Our episode also explores rumors of a dedicated inference chip and Nvidia’s long-awaited laptop CPU, signaling a bold expansion beyond its GPU roots. With Nvidia’s data center revenue reaching $193.5 billion, we analyze how these new platforms aim to solidify the company's dominance. Listen in as we break down the product launches and dealmaking strategies defining the future of computing. 歡迎收聽 Nvidia GTC 2026 年度盛事特別報導。本集節目將帶您深入瞭解聖荷西現場,解析執行長黃仁勳揭曉的 AI 全新藍圖。隨著產業重心從模型訓練轉向推理應用,我們將探討 Nvidia 如何整合 Groq 的語言處理單元(LPU)技術,追求比傳統 GPU 高出 10 倍的運算效率。 此外,本集將關注備受期待的 Nvidia 筆記型電腦 CPU 以及專用推理晶片的傳聞,這標誌著該公司正積極從 GPU 研發跨足更多元硬體領域。面對資料中心業務高達 1,935 億美元的營收規模,我們將分析 Nvidia 如何透過近期密集的併購策略,持續鞏固其全球運算霸主的地位。請隨我們一同聽取這場定義未來科技走向的關鍵解析。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Mar 16, 20269 min

S3 Ep 28EP3-28 | 【AI News】Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on "AI Safety"

Dario Amodei, the former head of R&D at OpenAI, left the company in 2021 due to growing concerns over the rapid commercialization and safety of AI technology. Alongside his sister, Daniela Amodei, he co-founded Anthropic, a firm now valued at $183 billion. With the exceptional performance of its Claude models—particularly in coding—Anthropic has emerged as OpenAI's most formidable rival. Amodei frequently sounds the alarm on the risks of advanced AI, describing powerful models as "a sovereign brain in a data center." He warns that there is a non-negligible risk of catastrophic outcomes and predicts that AI could replace 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years. He also emphasizes that without proper oversight, AI could be weaponized by bad actors to develop biological weapons, posing a severe threat to national security. This episode focuses on Dario Amodei and the AI ethical frameworks he champions at Anthropic, which enable models to self-supervise based on core principles. Amodei believes humanity is currently in a "technological adolescence" that will determine our survival. He maintains that only through transparent regulatory mechanisms can we ensure AI leads us toward a prosperous future rather than total destruction.Dario Amodei 曾是 OpenAI 的研發負責人,卻因擔心技術過度商業化與安全性,於 2021 年離開並與妹妹 Daniela Amodei 創立了 Anthropic。這間公司如今估值已高達 1,830 億美元,並因其研發的 Claude 模型在程式開發上的優異表現,成為 OpenAI 最強大的對手。Dario Amodei 頻繁對外發出警示,將強大的 AI 比喻為「資料中心裡的智囊國」,並警告 AI 最高有 ,且可能在 5 年內取代 50% 的初階白領工作。他強調,若缺乏適當監管,AI 甚至可能協助惡意份子製造生物武器,成為嚴重的國安威脅。 本集將專注介紹Dario Amodei 以及他在 Anthropic 推動的AI倫理規範,讓模型能基於倫理原則進行自我監督,。他認為人類正處於決定存亡的「技術青春期」,唯有建立透明的監管機制,才能確保 AI 最終能引領人類邁向繁榮而非走向毀滅。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Mar 9, 202616 min

S3 Ep 27EP3-27 | 【AI News】NVIDIA GTC 2026 Preview

We’re diving straight into the heart of NVIDIA GTC 2026, where Jensen Huang has teased a "world-shocking" chip that marks the definitive dawn of the Rubin era. This isn't just another incremental update; it is a total overhaul of computational logic, moving us from the era of Generative AI into the realm of Physical and Reasoning AI. We will explore how the Vera CPU and HBM4 are teaming up to push inference performance to heights that were once pure science fiction, effectively turning data centers into massive, unified brains capable of solving the world's most complex engineering challenges. At the core of this tectonic shift lies the unbreakable bond between NVIDIA’s vision and Taiwan’s industrial mastery. From TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm and A16 processes to the breakthrough silicon photonics and liquid cooling solutions, Taiwan has transitioned from being a silent manufacturer to a lead architect of the global AI factory. Join us as we break down how giants like Foxconn, Quanta, and Delta Electronics are weaving silicon and light into the very fabric of our future, proving that the road to global AI intelligence runs directly through the heart of Taiwan’s engineering prowess.我們將帶領各位深入 2026 年 NVIDIA GTC 大會的核心,探索黃仁勳口中那款「震驚世界」的新晶片。從 Blackwell 到 Rubin 架構的跨越,不僅是規格的升級,更是運算邏輯的徹底重塑。這場被譽為 AI 界超級盃的盛會,將揭示 Vera CPU 與 HBM4 如何聯手推升推論效能,讓我們正式告別純粹的生成式 AI,步入具備複雜推理能力與物理感知的實體 AI 新紀元。 在這場科技風暴的中心,台灣扮演了不可或缺的共生角色。從台積電最先進的 2 奈米與 A16 製程,到矽光子技術與液冷散熱的關鍵突破,台灣供應鏈正從幕後的製造者轉型為 AI 未來的共同建築師。本集將剖析鴻海、廣達、台達電等鑽石級合作夥伴如何與 NVIDIA 攜手,將矽、光與數據交織成改變世界的能量,帶你預見這場由台灣製造所支撐的全球運算革命。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Mar 2, 202621 min

S3 Ep 26EP3-26 | 【AI News】Demis Hassabis on "AI Renaissance"

This episode explores the vision of Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Hassabis argues that 2026 marks a pivotal turning point in human history, as we enter what he describes as an “AI Renaissance”—an era whose impact could be ten times greater than the Industrial Revolution, unfolding at ten times the speed. He predicts that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could be achieved before 2030, while cautioning that today’s AI systems remain in a state of “jagged intelligence,” still lacking robust reasoning and long-term planning capabilities. As the industry enters a phase of consolidation, Hassabis is focused on transforming AI into a scientific engine. Through breakthroughs such as AlphaFold and initiatives like Isomorphic Labs, he aims to reshape drug discovery, while collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy—such as the “Genesis Project”—seek to accelerate progress in energy innovation. At the core of his vision is the concept of “Radical Abundance.” As AI drives the marginal cost of healthcare and energy toward near zero, society may begin to transition into a post-scarcity era. To navigate this shift, Hassabis proposes new social mechanisms, including a “Global Abundance Dividend,” and emphasizes that AI governance must extend beyond technologists, requiring international cooperation to ensure these technologies benefit all of humanity.本集的內容將帶您深入探索 Google DeepMind 執行長、2024 年諾貝爾化學獎得主 戴米斯·哈薩比斯 (Demis Hassabis) 的遠見。哈薩比斯指出 2026 年是人類歷史的轉折點,我們正進入一個「AI 文藝復興」時代,其影響力將是工業革命的十倍,且發展速度快上十倍。 哈薩比斯預測通用人工智能 (AGI) 可能在 2030 年前實現,但警告現今 AI 仍處於「參差不齊的智能」狀態,必須克服基礎推理與長期規劃的缺陷。隨著行業進入「洗牌期」,他致力於將 AI 轉化為科學引擎,透過 AlphaFold 與 Isomorphic Labs 變革藥物研發,並與美國能源部合作「創世紀任務」以加速能源突破。 他最核心的觀點是 「激進豐饒」(Radical Abundance):當 AI 讓醫療與能源成本趨近於零,人類將邁向「後稀缺」社會。為應對此轉變,他提出「全球豐饒紅利」等社會機制,並強調 AI 治理不能僅留給技術專家,需透過國際合作確保這項技術能造福全人類。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Feb 23, 202622 min

S3 Ep 25EP3-25 | 【AI News】Taiwan–U.S. Trade Deal: Rebalancing Security and Economics

In today’s episode, we examine the evolving trade arrangement between Taiwan and the United States and what it truly represents beyond the headlines. This is not simply about tariff adjustments or procurement commitments. It reflects a broader shift in the global economic order, where supply chains are increasingly shaped by security considerations rather than pure efficiency. Taiwan’s central role in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing places it at the heart of this transformation. We will explore the structural forces that led to this agreement, its immediate macroeconomic implications for Taiwan, and the longer-term strategic trade-offs. Does deeper integration with the United States strengthen Taiwan’s economic resilience, or does it gradually reshape the geography of its technological advantage? Let’s take a closer look at what this deal really means. 在今天的節目中,我們將探討臺灣與美國之間持續演變的貿易安排,以及它在新聞標題之外所代表的意義。這不只是關於關稅或採購承諾,而是反映全球經濟秩序的轉變——供應鏈的布局越來越受到安全優先考量的影響,而不再僅僅追求效率。臺灣在半導體與先進製造領域的關鍵角色,使其處於這場轉型的核心位置。 本集將分析促成這項協議的結構性因素、對臺灣短期總體經濟的影響,以及長期的戰略意涵。更深入地整合美國市場,究竟能否強化臺灣的經濟穩定性,還是會逐步改變其技術優勢的地理分布?讓我們理性檢視這項協議對臺灣未來發展所釋放的訊號。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Feb 16, 202614 min

S3 Ep 24EP3-24 | 【AI News】Amcham Survey:92% Foreign Firms upbeat on Taiwan

AmCham Taiwan’s 2026 Business Climate Survey offers a structured snapshot of how foreign businesses are balancing growth, risk, and investment decisions in Taiwan. Conducted Nov 18–Dec 21, 2025 with responses from 206 member companies, the survey reports that 82% of respondents are confident about Taiwan’s economic outlook for the next 12 months, and 92% plan to maintain or increase investment this year. This episode uses the report as the backbone of the discussion—moving beyond headlines to unpack what the numbers imply about Taiwan’s AI-driven expansion and the parallel rise of operational resilience planning. The survey notes that 46% of firms are updating emergency preparedness and business continuity measures, highlighting a dual reality: strong investment intent alongside intensified risk management as security concerns remain salient. 台灣美國商會(AmCham Taiwan)近期發布《2026 年商業景氣調查(Business Climate Survey)》,這份報告等於替外商在臺灣的「風險—投資—成長」心態做了一次系統盤點:調查期間為 2025/11/18–12/21,回收 206 家會員企業意見;結果顯示,82% 受訪者對未來 12 個月臺灣經濟展望抱持信心,同時有 92% 表示今年將維持或增加在臺投資。 本集節目以這份景氣報告作為主軸,逐段拆解它真正透露的訊號:AI 需求推升伺服器與先進晶片投資,讓「成長敘事」更有底氣,但地緣風險與營運持續性管理也同步升溫。報告指出,企業啟動或更新緊急應變與營運持續計畫的比例已上升到 46%,反映在樂觀投資之外,外商更在意「可預期的穩定」。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Feb 9, 202616 min

S3 Ep 23EP3-23 | AI News | Openclaw:AI Agent Revolution?

你的錢,有在替你工作嗎?我是理財醫生陳大仁。《大仁的鈔能力》只講實戰邏輯:教你避開買房陷阱、打造股票現金流、掌握加密貨幣。每週更有免費直播課,教你如何讓投資變簡單,拿回財富主控權! https://fstry.pse.is/8tgfsz —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— Moltbot(Openclaw) is an open-source, local AI agent that shifts the paradigm from reactive chatbots to proactive digital butlers running on your own hardware. With features like persistent memory stored in local files and full terminal access, it can automate complex tasks—from fixing servers to grocery shopping—and initiate conversations on apps like WhatsApp. However, granting an AI such high-level control over your computer offers the "Ultimate Software Experience" only if users strictly manage the inherent security risks through sandboxing. Moltbot (Openclaw) 是一款運行於本地端的開源 AI 代理人,將 AI 從被動問答轉變為能主動服務的數位管家。它具備存在本地檔案的永久記憶與電腦終端機的完全控制權,不僅能自動執行修復伺服器或購物等複雜任務,還能主動透過通訊軟體聯繫用戶。 然而,賦予 AI 如此高的系統權限雖能帶來極致的效率,使用者也必須透過沙盒機制嚴格控管,以防範潛在的資安風險。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Feb 2, 202631 min

S3 Ep 22EP3-22 | AI News : The US-Taiwan Tariff Deal

In this episode, we dive into the real forces reshaping the semiconductor world: export controls, licensing regimes, and the race for AI chip supremacy. The industry is undergoing a permanent structural shift where security now commands the budget, and regional fragmentation is the new reality. Join us as we break down why "tariffs move the margins, but geopolitics moves the market". Whether you are an investor or a tech enthusiast, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters—from overseas fab expansions to advanced-node leadership. 歡迎收聽本集節目。近期美台關稅調降的消息引發市場關注,本集我們將探討真正驅動 2026 年晶片市場的底層邏輯:出口管制、技術領先地位以及美中地緣政治競爭。隨著全球供應鏈從追求「效率」轉向「安全與韌性」,台灣雖穩居全球晶片棋盤的核心,卻也面臨地緣政治的脆弱性。我們將分析為什麼對台積電(TSMC)等巨頭而言,取得 EUV 設備與遵守出口法規,遠比關稅調整更具決定性。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Jan 26, 202629 min

S3 Ep 21EP3-21 | VC Talks: Andy Lombard | Tesoro VC : Linking TSMC to the U.S.

In this episode, we invited Tesoro Venture Capital Founder and Managing Partner Andy Lombard to share how he identifies future industry leaders amid the trillion-dollar global race in semiconductors and AI.Developing a new chip often takes close to a decade and requires tens of millions of U.S. dollars in investment. Tesoro approaches this challenge through a model it calls “Codependent Innovation,” working in close collaboration with ecosystem partners such as TSMC, Cadence, and Amkor. By embedding startups directly into this network, Tesoro helps establish real-time feedback loops that significantly shorten development cycles. Andy explains in detail how Tesoro’s accelerator programs are designed to compress both R&D timelines and costs, with an ambitious goal: to cultivate the next generation of TSMC’s most important global customers within the next five years.Beyond investment strategy, Andy also discusses how Tesoro is working to replicate the success of Taiwan’s Hsinchu Science Park in the “Silicon Desert” of Phoenix. Tesoro is actively connecting leading universities—such as the University of Arizona and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University—with advanced research centers, focusing on frontier domains including Physical AI, robotics, photonics, and AI chips engineered for extreme environments such as space.In this episode, we take a closer look at how Tesoro supports Taiwanese and global startups as they establish a presence in the U.S. market. Through cross-border collaboration and what Andy describes as a “corridor effect,” Tesoro aims to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation hard technologies and help shape a truly global ecosystem for physical, real-world AI.在本集節目中,我們邀請到 Tesoro Venture Capital 的創辦人兼管理合夥人 Andy Lombard,與我們分享他如何在價值兆元的半導體與 AI 競賽中挖掘未來的產業巨頭。開發一顆晶片通常需要耗時十年並投入數千萬美金,但 Tesoro 透過「共同依賴式創新(Codependent Innovation)」模式,與台積電 (TSMC)、Cadence 及 Amkor 等生態系夥伴緊密合作,為新創公司建立即時的反饋機制。Andy 詳細介紹了他們如何透過加速器計畫壓縮研發時間與成本,目標是在未來五年內,為台積電培養出下一批最重要的全球大客戶。 從新竹到鳳凰城:打造實體 AI 的全球生態系 除了投資策略,Andy 也探討了如何將台灣新竹科學園區的成功模式,複製到亞利桑那州鳳凰城的「矽沙漠」。Tesoro 致力於串聯全球頂尖大學(如亞利桑那大學與陽明交大)與研究中心,鎖定「實體 AI (Physical AI)」、機器人、光子學以及專為太空極端環境設計的 AI 晶片等前瞻領域。我們將深入了解 Tesoro 如何協助台灣及全球的新創團隊落腳美國市場,並透過跨國合作的「廊道」效應,推動次世代硬科技的商業化進程。📍 About Host: Uly SuGeneral Partner, Addins Venture#CrossBorderMentor #StartupExpansion #TaiwanToSiliconValley🌏 A cross-border mentor who supports startups in entering global markets, with deep experience in fundraising, talent strategy, and international operations across the U.S. and Taiwan.🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulysu/📚 Learn more about Taiwan’s startup ecosystem 👉🏼 https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u🚀 Stay connected with Taiwan–Silicon Valley innovation via the Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub:https://sv.startupisland.tw/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

Jan 19, 202619 min

S3 Ep 20EP3-20 | AI News : CES 2026:Robotics、Physical AI and Agentic AI

This episode of Deep Dive provides a comprehensive recap of CES 2026, highlighting a pivotal shift in the technology landscape from Generative AI (chatbots) to "Agentic AI" and "Physical AI." The discussion focuses on how AI is moving beyond the screen and cloud into the physical world to become the foundational infrastructure of consumer technology. The hosts explain that this new era is defined by "agency"—software that proactively anticipates user needs and executes tasks across devices without waiting for prompts—marking a departure from the passive tools of the past few years. The episode details specific innovations driving this shift, particularly the rise of local AI processing on PCs and smartphones to ensure privacy and speed (the "AI PC" era). It covers major developments in robotics, such as Hyundai's industrial integration of Boston Dynamics and new home assistants from Samsung and LG that aim to be helpful rather than just novelties. Furthermore, the discussion touches on the explosion of health tech following new FDA guidance, featuring non-invasive monitoring and smart wellness devices, ultimately painting a picture of a future where technology becomes an invisible, proactive, and helpful layer in daily life. 這集 podcast 針對剛落幕的 CES 2026 進行了深入的趨勢分析,重點在於人工智慧(AI)的重大轉型:從單純的「生成式 AI」(如對話機器人)進化為具備主動執行能力的「代理 AI」(Agentic AI)與「實體 AI」(Physical AI)。節目指出,AI 已不再只是雲端上的軟體,而是成為各種硬體設備的基礎架構(Infrastructure)。透過 Lenovo 的情境感知筆電、Samsung 與 LG 的智慧家電生態系等案例,主持人解釋了 AI 如何從「等待指令」轉變為「預測需求並主動執行」,真正實現跨裝置的無縫協作。 除了軟體代理,節目也探討了 AI 進入實體世界的硬體突破。重點涵蓋了 NVIDIA 與現代汽車(Boston Dynamics)在工業與居家機器人上的進展,以及為了支援這些「邊緣運算」所需的強大晶片(如 NVIDIA RTX 50 系列與各家 NPU)。此外,討論觸及了 FDA 新規範放寬後帶來的健康科技爆發,例如非侵入式血糖監測與智慧馬桶等。整體而言,CES 2026 標誌著科技正從數位的對話框,大步邁向能感知、移動並協助人類處理實體任務的時代。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Jan 12, 202634 min

S3 Ep 19EP3-19 | VC Talks: Shao-Yu Jheng | Why Reindustrialization Fails Without Global Supply Networks

VC Talks: Shao-Yu Jheng (Harvard) | Why Reindustrialization Won't Work Without Global Supply Networks As reshoring and industrial policy return to the center of U.S. economic strategy, supply chains are increasingly framed as matters of national security and sovereignty. But history tells a more complicated story. In this episode of VC Talks, Uly revisits Left for Dead, a 1997 study on the revival of U.S. electronics, to question whether bringing manufacturing back home was ever the true driver of America’s industrial recovery. Joined by Shao-Yu Jheng, a postdoctoral researcher in Economics at Harvard University, the conversation reframes the 1980s–90s comeback as a story of network leadership rather than national production. The episode examines why the Japanese manufacturing model ran into structural limits, how Taiwan and overseas Chinese (OC) production networks enabled coordination at scale, and why control over global supply networks—rather than factory location alone—proved decisive. Looking ahead, the discussion challenges today’s reshoring debate by asking what industrial policy can realistically change, and where its influence fundamentally ends. 在美國近年大力推動再工業化與製造回流的政策背景下,供應鏈被重新視為國家競爭力的核心資產。然而,歷史是否真的支持「把工廠搬回國內」就能重建產業實力?本集《VC Talks》回到一篇 1997 年探討美國電子產業復甦的研究〈Left for Dead〉,試圖從產業史的角度,重新檢視當前對 reshoring 的普遍想像。 主持人 Uly 與哈佛大學經濟學博士研究員鄭紹鈺深入對談,指出美國在 1980 至 1990 年代的產業反彈,並非來自製造回流,而是成功主導橫跨多國的生產網絡。節目聚焦日本製造模式的結構性限制,以及臺灣與海外華人(OC)產業網絡如何在關鍵時刻提供彈性、效率與協調能力,成為美國科技體系得以延續競爭優勢的隱形支柱。本集不只回顧歷史,也直指一個當代問題:在高度全球化的供應鏈體系中,真正的產業力量,究竟掌握在國家邊界,還是網絡控制之中? 📍 About Host: Uly Su General Partner, Addins Venture #CrossBorderMentor #StartupExpansion #TaiwanToSiliconValley 🌏 A cross-border mentor who supports startups in entering global markets, with deep experience in fundraising, talent strategy, and international operations across the U.S. and Taiwan. 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulysu/ 📚 Learn more about Taiwan’s startup ecosystem 👉🏼 https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u 🚀 Stay connected with Taiwan–Silicon Valley innovation via the Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub: https://sv.startupisland.tw/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

Jan 5, 202629 min

S3 Ep 18EP3-18 | AI News : Robotics + AI: Taiwan’s Next Industry

Robotics and AI are becoming core foundational capabilities of the physical economy. As AI extends from cloud-based models into hospitals, logistics centers, and a wide range of service environments, robots increasingly carry functions of perception, reasoning, and decision-making, directly translating into measurable gains in productivity, system reliability, and operational safety. Together, they are emerging as critical infrastructure supporting the operation of modern society. Taiwan has established “Robotics + AI” as a key direction in its future industrial布局, responding to the long-term challenge of a highly concentrated industrial structure. While semiconductors remain a central pillar, their capital-intensive nature and limited spillover effects mean that the next phase of growth must come from a new industrial curve. The National Development Council has therefore been tasked with identifying scalable, repeatable, and extensible industry models—channeling Taiwan’s deep strengths in hardware, engineering, and systems integration into professional, service-oriented robotics, with priority deployment in healthcare, long-term care, logistics, and facility management where demand is clear. Along this trajectory, the government’s role is evolving into that of an industry accelerator. By integrating R&D outputs and supporting the formation of new robotics companies, it is laying the groundwork for private capital and startups to enter, scale, and participate sustainably. This episode approaches the topic through the lens of industrial structure and policy logic, explaining why Taiwan has positioned Robotics + AI at the core of its next industrial phase, and how this strategy may shape the country’s economic future. 機器人與 AI 正成為實體經濟運作的核心底層能力。隨著 AI 從雲端模型延伸至醫院、物流中心與各類服務場域,機器人逐步承載感知、判斷與決策功能,並直接轉化為可量化的生產力、系統穩定度與營運安全,成為支撐現代社會運作的重要基礎設施。 臺灣已將「機器人+AI」確立為未來產業布局的關鍵方向,回應產業結構高度集中的長期挑戰。半導體仍是核心支柱,但其資本密集與產業外溢有限,使得下一階段成長動能必須來自新的產業曲線。國發會因此被賦予尋找可延展、可複製、可擴散產業模式的任務,將臺灣深厚的硬體、工程與系統整合能力,導入專業用、服務型機器人領域,並優先落地於醫療、長照、物流與場域管理等需求明確的應用場景。 在這個方向上,政府的角色將成為產業成形的推進器。透過整合研發成果整合、成立新的機器人企業,將可為民間資本與新創團隊鋪設可進場、可放大的基礎。本集從產業結構與政策邏輯切入,解析臺灣以機器人與 AI 作為下一階段產業核心的理由,以及這項布局對臺灣經濟可能帶來的深層影響。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Dec 29, 202531 min
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