Taiwan Tech Dispatch

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, host White Hsu explores the comeback story of Gogoro, once the poster child for Taiwan’s green-tech innovation. After a dazzling NASDAQ SPAC debut and a tough reality check, Gogoro is now fighting to reignite its global ambition with a fresh capital injection and a refocused strategy. Can it turn attention back into trust? 🚦 We trace Gogoro’s rise, its mar...

Taiwan’s economy has quietly outperformed its peers — not just through world-leading semiconductor exports, but also through a booming capital market that’s now the 8th largest in the world. In this episode, White Hsu unpacks how exports and capital markets form Taiwan’s twin engines — fueling growth, investor confidence, and regional leadership amid global economic headwinds. 🎯 Highlights: How T...

I is blurring the line between computer science and biology — and for Taiwan, that intersection might just be the bridge to its next global breakthrough. In this episode, White Hsu dives into how Taiwan’s biotech startups are adopting AI tools to speed up drug discovery, improve medical imaging, and expand beyond local markets. From AetherAI and Taiwan AI Labs to Syncell and AIM, we explore how da...

From Ukraine’s battlefields to Taiwan’s rice paddies, drones are redefining the way we think about technology. In this episode, we explore Taiwan’s push to build its own drone ecosystem—spanning defense, agriculture, smart cities, and global supply chains. Can Taiwan move from follower to strategic player in this high-stakes industry? 🎧 Tune in to hear: Why the global drone market is exploding af...

HTC is back in the spotlight with the Vive Eagle, a bold new entry in the AI glasses race. In this episode, I compare Eagle with Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Ray-Ban AI Glasses, exploring what sets HTC apart and why this gamble matters for Taiwan’s tech future. Will HTC carve out a niche in this next wave of computing? Or will the giants dominate the space? 👉 Read my full analysis on the blog: w...

Taiwan is on the verge of crossing $40,000 USD GDP per capita, overtaking Japan and soon South Korea. But is this just another semiconductor success story, or the start of a broader transformation? In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, I break down: Taiwan’s dual growth engines: outbound investment + inbound FDI The significance of the $40,000 USD GDP milestone Winners and laggards in Taiwan’s...

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we explore Taiwan’s unique e-commerce battlefield. Unlike markets dominated by giants like Amazon or Alibaba, Taiwan remains diverse and competitive—opening the door for vertical players to thrive. We’ll break down: Why Taiwan’s e-commerce market is different from the rest of the world The rise of foreign and local vertical players Case examples like Carous...

Artificial intelligence is transforming not only tech companies but also traditional industries like travel and hospitality. In this episode, we look at Taiwan’s travel industry through the lens of two leading players: KKday and Lion Travel. KKday: once seen as a unicorn candidate, now undergoing an AI-driven restructuring with staff cuts and automation through its TITAN AI initiative. Lion Travel...

Taiwan’s high-tech giants are leading the global AI race — but many traditional industries and SMEs are falling behind, creating an M-shaped divide in AI adoption. In this episode, we unpack why the gap exists, the risks if left unaddressed, and the pathways to ensure AI transformation benefits all sectors of the economy. From talent concentration to capital disparities, and from government pilot...

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we revisit a story first explored in Episode 3 — Foxconn’s EV partnership with Mitsubishi — and connect it to a new, potentially game-changing development: a rumored Foxconn–Nissan collaboration. From the underutilized Oppama Plant in Kanagawa, to Foxconn’s MIH platform, to Japan’s EV infrastructure push, we examine how this partnership could reshape Japan’...

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we go beyond the concept of TAM (Total Addressable Market) and explore what happens when startups choose to stay local — and get trapped. From mobile payments to digital learning platforms, Taiwan’s vibrant startup ecosystem often falls into a cycle of involution: intense competition, little differentiation, and zero scalability. It's not a lack of innovati...

How do Taiwanese startups break out of a limited domestic market and compete on the global stage? In this episode, we explore how founders are overcoming the TAM (Total Addressable Market) hurdle by expanding into Southeast Asia and Japan — and how companies like Appier, Gogoro, and Perfect Corp. have built real global momentum. We’ll unpack key strategies, case studies, and the mindset shift requ...

Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card has opened doors for global professionals, but is it enough to make them stay? In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, host White Hsu explores how recent policy shifts—like Taiwan’s updated permanent residency rules (APRC)—signal a deeper commitment to long-term talent retention. We unpack the strengths and limitations of the Gold Card, examine the new APRC changes,...

Trump is back—and so are the tariffs. In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we explore how Taiwan’s leading server manufacturers—like Wistron, Wiwynn, Inventec, and Pegatron—are responding to renewed U.S.–China trade tensions by setting up shop in America. From Texas land grabs to NVIDIA-powered factories, this isn’t just a supply chain adjustment. It’s a geopolitical realignment. 🎧 Subscribe...

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we explore the potential merger between UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation) and GlobalFoundries — a move that could reshape the global semiconductor landscape. Host White Hsu dives into the strategic rationale behind the deal, China’s mature-node ambitions, and the geopolitical implications for the U.S., Taiwan, and the global supply chain. We break d...

Taiwan’s tech sector is booming, with world-leading innovations in semiconductors, AI, and cloud infrastructure. But behind the headlines lies a serious and growing concern: a shortage of talent that threatens the long-term sustainability of this growth. In this episode, we explore the scale and root causes of Taiwan’s talent crunch—from high turnover and brain drain, to the unintended consequence...

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, host White Hsu explores Taiwan’s growing ecosystem of software and AI startups—beyond its legacy in semiconductors and hardware. We spotlight two standout companies: CyCraft, a cybersecurity firm leveraging AI to fight advanced digital threats. OEN Tech, a CRM startup transforming supporter engagement and expanding across Southeast Asia. From fundraising mo...

n this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, host White Hsu dives into the world of dividend investing through the lens of EASTECH (5225.TW), a Taiwanese hidden champion and global leader in audio modules. We explore insights from their 2025 shareholder meeting—how EASTECH balances innovation with steady capital returns, and what it can teach long-term investors about conviction, capital discipline, an...

🎧 What’s inside this episode: COMPUTEX 2025 wasn’t just another tech expo — it was Taiwan’s bold vision for the future of AI, innovation, and global leadership. In this episode, host White Hsu breaks it down into three strategic layers: 1️⃣ AI Ecosystem on Display From generative AI demos to Startup Island Taiwan, the exhibition showed how local startups and global giants are converging. 2️⃣ Infr...

🎙️ In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, host White Hsu takes you behind the scenes at IBM Think 2025 in Boston — one of the biggest enterprise tech conferences of the year. From watsonx.ai to APAC partner strategies and real AI deployments, this episode unpacks: How IBM is transforming AI into enterprise-ready tools Why partnerships across Asia-Pacific — from Taiwan to India — matter more than...

In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we explore the unexpected partnership between Foxconn and Mitsubishi Motors — from the heart of Taiwan’s manufacturing to Australia and New Zealand’s EV markets. Why did Mitsubishi choose a tech giant over traditional automakers? How is Foxconn’s CDMS model reshaping the industry? And what does this mean for Taiwan’s place in the global EV supply chain? 🎧...

In Episode 2 of the Taiwan Tech Dispatch podcast, we dive into AWS’s full region launch in Taiwan — a landmark moment for the island’s cloud infrastructure and digital future. What does this move mean for Asia-Pacific's cloud competitiveness? How does it impact Taiwan’s startups, developers, and international data strategies? Tune in to understand: The significance of Taiwan joining the AWS full-r...

Taiwan and South Korea have long been fierce competitors in the high-tech industry. But as AI accelerates global innovation, these rivals are forming an unlikely partnership to co-lead the next wave of semiconductor breakthroughs. In this episode of Taiwan Tech Dispatch, we dive into how Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s SK Hynix—once competitors in display panels and memory chips—are now collaborat...