Global Business Innovation Programme in Taiwan - Semiconductors

Successful applicants will benefit from an intensive 9 to 12 months three phased programme with bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist throughout.

Get ready: Two-day preparation workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and opportunities, including cultural aspects, how to do business, protecting Intellectual Property, and training on articulating your value proposition.

Visit the market: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through pre-arranged matchmaking events, meetings with key contacts, research organisations and potential collaborators and partners.

Exploit the opportunity: An exploitation workshop and one-to-one bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist to help you follow-up and maximise the opportunities identified through the programme.

To apply for this initiative, you must be:

• a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
• a company with fewer than 250 employees
• hold a senior position, CEO, founder, or senior decision maker in the business
• able to attend all workshops and complete all activities

Businesses that have been on a previous GBIP (in the same market and/or technology area) will need to demonstrate they have exploited the previous opportunity to be considered and how this programme will add significant additional benefit.  Preference may be given to businesses that have not participated previously.

Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Taiwan dominates the semiconductor foundry industry and manufactures over 60% of the world’s semiconductors and 92% of those that are most advanced. The sector has a local workforce of 600,000 and makes up 15% of Taiwan’s GDP. Its ecosystem is supported by organisations like the Industrial Technology Research Institute, which plays a crucial role in the growth of Taiwan’s high-tech industry.

With an abundance of cutting-edge technology and clients like Apple, Qualcomm and Nvidia, The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company “TSMC” leads global manufacturing but despite its commanding position the industry is made up of over 1000 SME’s.

With increasing global demand for electronics comes the necessity to make chips smaller, faster and more power efficient. With a vibrant innovation ecosystem and an established UK- Taiwan bilateral CR&D funding programme between Innovate UK and Taiwan’s Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs, the opportunities for UK companies to collaborate with Taiwanese counterparts are significant.

Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to:

• compound semiconductors
• semiconductor design/intellectual property (IP)
• advanced packaging
• photonics
• emerging materials

Key application areas include:

• power electronics
• future telecommunications
• clean energy
• data centres

June 2025

• Introductory briefing British Office Taipei
• Visits to ITRI and leading research and technology institutes
• Company visits/meetings eg. UMC, Hermes Epitek
• Focused B2B events with leading semiconductor companies
• Tailored 1-2-1 meetings with target companies
• Networking opportunities with investors

Sept 2025

• Welcome briefing British Office Taipei
• Showcasing on the UK Pavilion
• Exclusive networking reception
• Pitching opportunities
• Company visits/meetings

• Build market knowledge and intelligence
• Introductions to senior figures and influential contacts
• Raise your profile and stimulate new business opportunities and ideas
• Seed new business partnerships, develop RD&I collaborations and identify partners for bi-lateral funding calls
• Improve your proposition, hone your skills and grow in confidence
• Expand your network and learn from like-minded ambitious businesses

“Visiting twice gave a deeper understanding of the business culture and I was able to develop relationships (and trust) with several Taiwanese collaborators. This has resulted in a successful bid into the I2P exchange program with one company and the signing of an NDA with several other companies.” – Bay Photonics

“The trips definitely added value to our understanding of the market. The opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and peers provided invaluable insights into current trends and challenges. The collaborative discussions should lead to potential partnerships and helped our go-to-market strategy. Overall, the experience has greatly enriched our perspective and will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing efforts in the market.” – Lumai

Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and conference fees for successful applicants.

Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded and the same person will be expected to participant in all parts of the programme.

On acceptance to the programme a commitment fee of £1000 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed action plan.

Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fee

Click here to register for the online briefing on Thursday 6 Feb 2025, 8am-9.15am UK time.

A sample application form can be downloaded here – this is provided only for information and so that you can prepare answers for the questions before filling in the online form. Please use the link below to make a full application.