GBIP in Taiwan: Opening doors for UK Innovators in the world’s leading semiconductor market

How Taiwan is helping expand the semiconductor industry

Taiwan is the beating heart of the global semiconductor industry and plays a pivotal role in developing advanced chips used to power next-gen technologies such as AI, high-performance computing, electric vehicles and 5G.

The sector accounts for 18% of Taiwan’s GDP, employs over 300,000 people and is home to giants like TSMC, which serves clients such as Apple, Qualcomm, and Nvidia. Yet, behind these global names lies an ecosystem of over 1,000 SMEs, creating fertile ground for collaboration. While Taiwanese companies want proven technology delivered quickly, they also recognise that cutting-edge innovation often requires investment and co-development. This willingness to collaborate and share risk opens significant opportunities for UK firms with disruptive technologies.

Building UK–Taiwan semiconductor partnerships

Innovate UK has been building a relationship with Taiwan over a number of years recognising its dominant high-tech manufacturing capability, particularly in semiconductors. In 2023, Innovate UK, through it’s Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP), set off to help UK businesses in the semiconductor sector build innovation focused partnerships and collaborations and to more easily access the market.  This included showcasing some of the UK’s brightest semiconductor tech talent on the first UK Pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan, which is undoubtedly the leading annual semiconductor industry event.

The GBIP, delivered by Innovate UK, helps cohorts of up to 15 UK businesses scale internationally through a three-phase approach that provides cultural and market insights, immersive in-market visits, and ongoing support to secure funding and turn opportunities into tangible collaborations.

Where UK innovation meets Taiwan’s manufacturing strength

The GBIP confirmed initial research that whilst Taiwan leads in manufacturing, packaging and testing, it is actively seeking to work with companies that offer complementary technologies and have aligned ambitions. With strengths in compound semiconductors, photonics, design and architectures, UK innovative businesses, although less well known to the Taiwan ecosystem, presented a strategic opportunity.

Since 2023, the GBIP has returned to Taiwan on four separate occasions with a growing number of UK semiconductor companies, building trust and confidence and helping to accelerate the growth and scaling of the businesses.

Opening doors to Taiwan’s semiconductor leaders

Aside from SEMICON, the selected GBIP cohorts have benefited from visits to high-tech Hsinchu, and Hsinchu Science Park, which is home to over 550 companies and is the base for semiconductor industry giants, TSMC, UMC, ASE, Winbond, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), which spun out some of these world-leading companies.  With all segments of the value chain in such close proximity, the area is a global semiconductor hub, and offers unrivalled advantages of speed, flexibility and cost.

Repeat visits have attracted greater interest and increased access to leading semiconductor companies to discuss collaboration opportunities with C-Suite decision makers.

There is no way that I could have been in a meeting with TSMC, UMC, Hermes Epitek or TASC, or the investors and other connections that I met without the GBIP.

Samuel Dallimore, CEO, LUX Industries

Building trusted relationships

Many GBIP delegates have been amazed at the speed at which introductions and decisions can be made. One delegate described how, during a meeting, a contact picked up the phone and arranged an introduction on the spot.

This agility, combined with a culture of trust and relationship-building, makes face-to-face engagement essential. Getting out to Taiwan is the only way innovative businesses can properly assess the opportunity, witness the scale of the industry and demonstrate long-term commitment.

During our first visit, we had limited knowledge of Taiwan. By the second visit, we understood which relationships we wanted to build and how to approach them. Moreover, the people we met were already familiar with who we are and what we are working on, which enabled faster and more meaningful discussions.

Tania Mangoma, CEO, HyperCIM

In turn, C- Suite decision makers at organisations like UMC have been increasingly impressed with the UK’s cutting-edge technology, presented through the GBIP. Over repeat visits, the programme has instilled greater confidence that collaborations with British businesses can give them a competitive edge.

The ITRI partnership: a game-changer

As part of Innovate UK’s growing relationship with Taiwan, ITRI, the world-leading applied technology research institute which sits at the heart of the sector, is a critical ally.  Having ITRI’s backing is a major advantage. It signals trust and opens doors to Taiwan’s innovation ecosystem, from research collaborations to commercial partnerships.

With responsibility for managing the UK-Taiwan bilateral Collaborative R&D funding programme, agreed in an MOU between Innovate UK and the Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs, ITRI is a key link and partner for UK companies looking to access the Taiwanese market.  ITRI’s decision to open an office in London in May 2025, further cements the relationship with Innovate UK and its interest in the UK’s science and technology capabilities. The UK base is creating direct access for UK innovators to one of Taiwan’s most influential organisations and further opportunities to build credibility and visibility in a competitive market.

Working alongside teams at the British Office Taipei, the GBIP also connects UK companies to wider opportunities such as the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge, accelerator programmes at Garage+, Taiwan Tech Arena and investor networks, which help businesses scale faster and integrate into Taiwan’s vibrant startup scene.

Building bridges through collaboration

The GBIP’s success in Taiwan is built on strong partnerships. Working closely with the British Office Taipei, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Science and Technology Network, the programme aligns common goals to amplify impact. This collaborative approach ensures UK companies are introduced to senior figures who understand that partnering with British innovators can deliver a competitive edge.

Showcasing UK Innovation at SEMICON Taiwan

A highlight of the GBIP’s activity in Taiwan has been the UK Pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan. Supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s National Technology Adviser and working in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade and the British Office Taipei, Innovate UK’s GBIP has given ambitious innovative UK businesses a platform to raise awareness and drive interest.  Alongside the chance to showcase at SEMICON, delegates have benefited from a wider programme of activities providing unrivalled access to key stakeholders and decision makers in the Taiwanese ecosystem.

Showcasing at SEMICON 2025 has significantly raised our company’s profile and created tangible business opportunities. As a direct outcome, we signed an NDA with Power Tech (PTI) to explore specific applications for our technology, received at least three serious expressions of interest for integration from major equipment manufacturers in Taiwan and Singapore, and initiated discussions with ITRI to develop a custom prototype system.

Amir Rabani, CEO, Advancete Limited

The results of the GBIP to Taiwan speak for themselves:

• Bay Photonics, Advancete, EMU Technologies, LUX Industries and Wave Photonics all secured funding for an I2P exchange programme partnership to support collaborative R&D projects with key semiconductor partners unlocking the potential for commercial traction in Taiwan.
• For Advancete this has led to a deal with ITRI and has paved the way for partnerships with leading Taiwanese companies.
• Following strong market traction from leading semiconductor players, in June 2025, LUX successfully completed a feasibility study with ITRI, which has paved the way for a demonstration project with Global Wafers to commence in 2026, representing a major commercial milestone. With a further technical demonstration agreed by an MOU with ITRI for 2027, and a pledge from a Taiwanese VC for an initial USD 1–2 million investment towards LUX’s 2026 seed raise, the GBIP has proved a game changer to rapidly scale the technology in the semiconductor industry.
• Wave Photonics entered a partnership with Latitude Design Systems and ran a trial with Foxconn focusing on quantum computing.
• Oxford Lasers was asked to undertake laser micromachining application samples for ITRI. Following a second visit, the company is now working with ITRI on how they can meet the needs of five key clients.
• Bay Photonics has returned to Taiwan each year building relationships with three key partners. Best practice acquired through the I2P has been embedded into their processes, improving product performance and reducing cycle times.
• KuasaSemi, has confirmed trials of its Wide Bandgap semiconductor design software with two prominent Taiwan Universities.
• Quinas Technology won the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge, gaining international recognition.
• Gencoa visited in 2024 and appointed an agent who has secured £80,000 in revenue to date.

Delegates consistently highlight the value of the GBIP’s double-visit model. One participant shared:

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.

Andrew Robertson, Director, Bay Photonics

Looking ahead

Innovate UK’s GBIP will continue to strengthen UK–Taiwan ties, helping British innovators access one of the most dynamic technology markets in the world. As global demand for electronics grows and chips become smaller, faster, and more power-efficient, this partnership offers significant opportunities for collaboration and growth, ensuring the UK remains a trusted partner in Taiwan’s thriving semiconductor ecosystem.

Learn more about the Global Business Innovation Programme on Youtube or visit the programme to discover current opportunities.