Taiwanese startups see Japan market as next expansion destination

The "Taiwan Feature 2024" highlights the global ambitions of Taiwanese startups, driven by the constraints of their limited domestic market. Over 75% of these startups seek international expansion from the start, with sectors like AI, e-commerce, and Marketing Technology leading the charge. Companies such as Appier, Gogoro, and 17LIVE have successfully tapped into overseas markets, showcasing Taiwan's growing presence on the global stage.

Taiwanese government initiatives like the "NEXT BIG" program, launched by the National Development Commission (NDC), provide critical support to startups, helping them expand internationally. This program aims to position Taiwan's startups as global pioneers, similar to the pivotal role TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) plays in the semiconductor industry. Companies like iKala, which offers AI-driven solutions in multiple Asian markets, are already making significant strides in Japan.

TSMC has made a significant impact on Japan’s semiconductor industry with the opening of its first plant in Kumamoto in early 2024, which will support industries such as automobiles, cameras, and other consumer electronics. TSMC also has a plan to open a second facility by 2027. “I believe that the new plant will further strengthen the resilience of the semiconductor supply chain, both for Japan and for the world. I also believe and hope that this will be the beginning of a renaissance of semiconductor manufacturing in Japan.” said Morris Chang (張忠謀), the founder of TSMC.

” We are aggressively entering the Japanese market starting in 2021,” said Sega Cheng (程世嘉), co-founder and CEO of iKala (愛卡拉). iKala currently provides AI-driven solutions for business transformation, acceleration, and new business model creation to 50,000 advertisers and brand owners in 1,000 companies.

” The Japanese market is very well suited for Taiwanese startups. Many Taiwanese live in Japan and are familiar with Japanese culture. In addition, the Japanese tech industry needs new technology and open innovation, which Taiwanese startups can provide.” said Sega Cheng

 The article also spotlights Gogolook, a Taiwanese company specializing in digital fraud prevention, which has partnered with Rakuten Mobile in Japan, and KKday, a leading travel e-commerce platform, benefiting from Japan’s tourism growth. With strong government backing and a focus on innovation, Taiwanese startups are well-positioned to drive technological progress and establish a prominent global footprint, particularly in markets like Japan.

We are the preferred partner in assisting companies from all over Asia in their expansion into Japan market.

Source: Startup Island TAIWAN