Taiwan moved up five spots to its best-ever 20th placement in the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index released May 19 by research platform StartupBlink.
According to the National Development Council, among 120 countries and territories surveyed in the report, Taiwan recorded 41.1 percent growth in its annual ecosystem growth, the highest in the top 20 and nearly three times the group average of 14.9 percent.
This reflects the strength of the local ecosystem and its pivotal role in the global network, the NDC added, attributing the strong showings to the collective efforts of the government and the local industry sector and startup ecosystem.
The report cited many government initiatives over recent years that promote startup and innovation. These include Startup Island Taiwan, the national brand managed by NDC; Startup Terrance, the country’s largest international campus; Taiwan Tech Arena, a government-backed international hub in Taipei; and the Gold Card visa program to attract international entrepreneurs.
The survey praised Taiwan’s progress in hardware and IoT development that reflects a solid foundation in semiconductor and related sectors. The 10 new artificial intelligence infrastructure development projects are also helping to cultivate personnel and promote supply chain and industry cluster development, the report said, adding that these all contribute to a greater connection to international networks and rising competitiveness.
The survey also noted progress in major cities, the NDC said, adding that among the 1,500 plus cities and regions covered by the survey, the Taipei Tech Corridor, stretching from the capital to Miaoli County, ranked 39th among those surveyed, up 15 places from the previous report to its best yet listing.
The Tainan-Kaohsiung Area jumped 257 places up to 194th, while Taichung City went up 172 places to 364th, indicating a more evenly distributed structure as opposed to single-hub reliance.
Overall, the survey describes Taiwan as a highly attractive place to establish, connect with and scale top-tier technical talent and ventures, particularly in hardware-driven innovation. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
According to the National Development Council, among 120 countries and territories surveyed in the report, Taiwan recorded 41.1 percent growth in its annual ecosystem growth, the highest in the top 20 and nearly three times the group average of 14.9 percent.
This reflects the strength of the local ecosystem and its pivotal role in the global network, the NDC added, attributing the strong showings to the collective efforts of the government and the local industry sector and startup ecosystem.
The report cited many government initiatives over recent years that promote startup and innovation. These include Startup Island Taiwan, the national brand managed by NDC; Startup Terrance, the country’s largest international campus; Taiwan Tech Arena, a government-backed international hub in Taipei; and the Gold Card visa program to attract international entrepreneurs.
The survey praised Taiwan’s progress in hardware and IoT development that reflects a solid foundation in semiconductor and related sectors. The 10 new artificial intelligence infrastructure development projects are also helping to cultivate personnel and promote supply chain and industry cluster development, the report said, adding that these all contribute to a greater connection to international networks and rising competitiveness.
The survey also noted progress in major cities, the NDC said, adding that among the 1,500 plus cities and regions covered by the survey, the Taipei Tech Corridor, stretching from the capital to Miaoli County, ranked 39th among those surveyed, up 15 places from the previous report to its best yet listing.
The Tainan-Kaohsiung Area jumped 257 places up to 194th, while Taichung City went up 172 places to 364th, indicating a more evenly distributed structure as opposed to single-hub reliance.
Overall, the survey describes Taiwan as a highly attractive place to establish, connect with and scale top-tier technical talent and ventures, particularly in hardware-driven innovation. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News