Taiwan chip show boosts startup presence

台灣晶片展擴大新創參展規模

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A startup showcase that has grown from six teams to 16 will be one of the expanded features at SEMICON Taiwan 2026, alongside programs connecting chip developers with investors.

The event is expected to reach a new record size, with 4,300 booths and participation by more than 1,300 companies. It opens Sept. 2 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, per CNA.

Investment will play a larger role in this year’s startup program, which is adding venture capital firms, corporate investors, and accelerators. More than 40 semiconductor startups will take part, with AI computing accounting for the largest technology category, per NextApple.

Nearly 40 talks are planned for the new Silicon Startups Stage over the three-day exhibition. Topics will range from AI chip design and advanced packaging to silicon photonics, quantum technology, smart manufacturing, and sustainability, according to NextApple.

The startup lineup reflects a push beyond conventional chip development into optical and quantum computing. Projects include silicon-based quantum systems built with standard CMOS processes, optical hardware for AI inference, and technologies designed to increase data-transfer capacity in large AI systems, per the reports.

An invitation-only Venture Day on Sept. 4 will feature pitches from 10 to 12 startups seeking investment and strategic partnerships. The broader exhibition will also feature Lumentum, Foxconn, MediaTek, AMD, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google.