French abroad: How was French Tech Taiwan founded?
Cherry Phiv : French Tech Taiwan was certified in 2016. Its creation was initiated by the French Office but it was supported by a local community of tech actors such as entrepreneurs, professionals but also all actors who have a link with startups. This is one of the most important aspects of this label: it is supported by a set of communities. French Tech Taiwan has been very dynamic from the start. Thanks to the links created with Taiwanese institutions, we were sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology – now the National Science and Technology Council – which allowed us to open our first offices at the Taiwan Tech Arena, a hub created by the Taiwanese government to energize and encourage foreign startups to come and establish themselves in the territory.
What are your missions ?
French Tech aims to create bridges between the French and Taiwanese tech ecosystems. As members of “Team France” in Taiwan, we act alongside the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business France. We help French companies on site – when they need contacts for example – and we organize networking events where we connect startups and large groups. Some of our events also present major themes, because our mission is also to promote the values of French tech. This involves presentations of innovative French start-ups in environmental issues, or even on the occasion of Semicon which is a trade fair dedicated to semiconductors, we also organized a discussion panel around the importance of semiconductors. Taiwanese drivers in the French supply chain.
What are these values?
For several years the “Mission French Tech”, which oversees all French Tech in France and around the world, has published guidelines on different themes for calls for projects. We use these indications to organize conferences and debates around recurring themes such as diversity and parity in tech, “green tech” for everything relating to innovation for the environment and sustainable development, or even “deep tech”. This last point is particularly relevant in Taiwan because it brings together the field of applied sciences and high technology, such as solid-state batteries used in technology whose production is one of the spearheads of the economy from the country.
Do you have a project that you are particularly proud of?
We had very good feedback on the event we organized last year with the Taiwan Tech Arena, on the occasion of International Women’s Day. It was a panel of informative discussions on topics such as the positive and social impact of women entrepreneurs and leaders, or how to accelerate the growth of female talents in tech companies – in partnership with French tech Tokyo – as well as a networking event. To continue with this idea of parity, this year we will present a white paper at the beginning of May on good practices in terms of gender equality. It will be published in three languages: English, French and Mandarin, in order to encourage efforts in this area in France and Taiwan. Taiwanese society is already relatively progressive on these subjects and at French tech, we are delighted to have achieved total parity among the members of our team this year. Since its creation, the association has always operated with a system of male-female co-presidents, so this was one of the priorities of French Tech Taiwan.
Does Taiwan have a large community of French tech entrepreneurs?
Since the reopening of borders after the Covid-19 pandemic period, we have seen that trade has resumed well. There is also growing interest from French entrepreneurs in Taiwan. We also try to fuel this interest by participating in major events like Innovex, which is a technology fair dedicated to startups and is held at the beginning of June every year. This year, we have planned a “French Tech night” during which startups will be able to meet the local tech community and the major Taiwanese players in this ecosystem.
