UK Tech Startups Seek Funding and Partners, Taiwan Becomes a Hot Target

(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Yunyu, London, 11th special dispatch) The UK has a developed tech startup ecosystem. Statistics show that so far this year, nearly half of all new capital attracted by the European tech industry has flowed into startups within the UK. However, many UK startups and venture capital funds are looking to Taiwan for answers on how to achieve economies of scale and effectively commercialize ideas.

During London Tech Week 2026, held from the 8th to the 12th, Systemiq Capital, a London-based venture capital firm, hosted a Taiwan-focused networking seminar in the City of London financial district. The seminar explored how Europe could emulate the experience of US-Taiwan cooperation, as well as the characteristics of Taiwan's tech industry and investment environment.

Deputy Representative of Taiwan to the UK, Chiang Ya-chi, stated in her opening remarks that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang once said Taiwan is at the core of the global AI revolution. She noted that Taiwan possesses strong manufacturing capabilities and a complete industrial ecosystem. If combined with the UK's outstanding research, innovation, and intellectual property strengths, the complementary advantages of Taiwan and the UK could create a synergistic effect, potentially allowing the UK to achieve feats similar to those of US tech giants.

The success of large US technology companies often relies on Taiwan. Chiang Ya-chi pointed out that NVIDIA itself transformed from a small startup into a global tech powerhouse thanks to its partnership with TSMC.

Panelist Liu Chiu-ming, convenor of the Semiconductor Working Group for the international non-profit organization Global Tech Advocates, pointed out that Taiwan's hardware expertise not only increases the probability of successful startup investments but also that Taiwanese companies, whose revenues have benefited from high-tech topics like AI, have ample capital available for investment. These factors make Taiwan a potential good partner for UK startups and venture capital funds.

Liu, who has over a decade of industry and investment experience and has lived in the UK for about 20 years, mentioned that in terms of innovation capability, the strength of the UK and many Western countries lies in the ideation, pioneering, and breakthrough stage of 'from 0 to 1'. In contrast, Taiwan's strength lies in developing '1' to infinity, with the key being its manufacturing advantage.

Taiwan is an excellent manufacturer, but the pragmatic nature of manufacturers often leads Taiwanese companies or investors to emphasize 'scale'.

Liu candidly stated that unless a UK startup can present a 'very special' idea, Taiwanese companies or investors generally tend towards more conservative risk assessments, hoping to achieve economies of scale at some point in the future.

However, it is precisely because of Taiwan's pursuit of 'scale' that foreign startups and venture capital funds may find it easier to locate partners in Taiwan willing to help them 'scale up'.

Liu also mentioned another advantage of Taiwanese partners: the 'neutral' character derived from its manufacturing culture.

He said that whether it's globally renowned large enterprises like TSMC or Hon Hai (Foxconn), or more low-key small and medium-sized enterprises, Taiwan is willing to cooperate with different clients and produce goods for them. Even if clients compete with each other, it does not prevent them from placing orders with Taiwanese manufacturers simultaneously.

However, one of the key principles Taiwan has adhered to for years to survive in a complex international competitive environment through its 'neutral path' is fulfilling its responsibility to safeguard client trade secrets.

Liu believes that as European countries, including the UK, increasingly seek to reduce their dependence on US technology while harboring concerns about the security risks of Chinese technology and products, Taiwan is clearly the best partner for European nations to ensure their technological sovereignty.

Jasper Wigley, Investment Specialist at Systemiq Capital and moderator of the seminar, told Central News Agency after the event that Systemiq Capital's investments span Europe and the US, primarily focusing on early-stage investments in startups within the real economy (economic activities that produce tangible goods or services). 'Computing' and 'semiconductors' are two very important investment targets, both of which are essential for AI development.

Wigley pointed out that in this regard, Taiwan controls one of the world's most important ecosystems. To promote the success of the companies Systemiq Capital invests in, it is imperative to engage with Taiwan and establish the best possible cooperative relationships. He revealed that some startups funded by Systemiq Capital have already set up offices in Taiwan. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150611