TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Silicon Valley-based startup accelerator Plug and Play Tech Center announced Saturday its new branch will open in Taoyuan in May.
Speaking at Taiwan Demo Day in Sunnyvale, California, Plug and Play Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Johannes Rott said the location will focus on artificial intelligence of things, smart mobility, and robotics, per CNA. Despite geopolitical concerns, he said the company sees potential in Taiwan.
He said Taiwan has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. TSMC’s success highlights the scale of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and its highly skilled and hardworking workforce.
Rott said Taoyuan was selected because of the local government’s support. He also said the city was a strategic location, as it hosts an international airport, well-developed infrastructure, and it is less than an hour’s drive from Taipei.
Plug and Play aims to replicate its success in Silicon Valley in Taiwan, he said. “We hope to bring this model to Taiwan and further strengthen its startup ecosystem.”
Plug and Play is a globally recognized startup accelerator and one of the world’s largest venture capital firms, with a presence in over 60 cities worldwide. Its core businesses include corporate innovation and venture investment.