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Taiwan makes 65% of the world’s semiconductors and over 90% of AI servers — a dominance that looks a lot like Silicon Valley’s hardware roots. Yet it hasn’t produced many breakout software or AI startups compared to China, India, or Singapore.

So here’s the question:
👉 Is Taiwan the “Silicon Valley of Asia” — or is its bet on semiconductors and hardware holding back its software ecosystem?

Taiwan makes 65% of the world’s semiconductors and over 90% of AI servers — a dominance that looks a lot like Silicon Valley’s hardware roots. Yet it hasn’t produced many breakout software or AI startups compared to China, India, or Singapore.  So here’s the question: 👉 Is Taiwan the “Silicon Valley of Asia” — or is its bet on semiconductors and hardware holding back its software ecosystem?

Laura Gao

Silicon Valley is able to leverage:

Graduates and researches from some of the worlds top universities that draw the top people globally

Has access to U.S. capital markets - which are the worlds deepest

Access to the world’s most lucrative consumer market.

Taiwan cannot replicate any of this - however it punches well above its weight.

If the political overhang wasn’t there, and if there was a way to leverage the China market then maybe. But taiwans base market is too small - which leads to shallower financial markets. Though Taiwan does have great talent, it isn’t as international as the U.S. though the U.S. seems to be screwing itself on this one.

Silicon Valley is able to leverage:  Graduates and researches from some of the worlds top universities that draw the top people globally  Has access to U.S. capital markets - which are the worlds deepest  Access to the world’s most lucrative consumer market.  Taiwan cannot replicate any of this - however it punches well above its weight.  If the political overhang wasn’t there, and if there was a way to leverage the China market then maybe. But taiwans base market is too small - which leads to shallower financial markets. Though Taiwan does have great talent, it isn’t as international as the U.S. though the U.S. seems to be screwing itself on this one.

I’m Sam, I’m the curriculum director at Gregorio Perfecto High School in Manila, Philippines. I’ve been an educator and administrator for just over 25 years. Our school is spending a good amount on edtech, but I don’t feel like we’re getting the most out of it. I’d love to learn from everyone what is working for them. Thanks!