Working on semiconductor solutions or hardware that needs design, prototyping, or manufacturing? This event is your gateway to Taiwan’s world-class semiconductor and hardware ecosystem—built for startups. Whether you’re ideating or scaling, Taiwan can be your partner in turning innovation into reality.
Calling all startup founders and academic researchers, this landmark event will bridge Taiwan’s semiconductor excellence with Silicon Valley’s innovation frontier, sparking collaborations that will power the next wave of technological breakthroughs.
Attendees will also learn about the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC) — a Taiwanese government sponsored initiative offering prizes, mentorship, and industry guidance to help global startups leverage Taiwan’s powerful semiconductor and related industries, turning bold ideas into market-ready innovations and building the future of AI and chip technology together. More...
Bridging Silicon Valley and Taiwan:
Semiconductor & AI Synergies
January 13, 2026
Tuesday 5:30 PM PST
Startup Island TAIWAN - Silicon Valley Hub
Organizer
Implementing Organizer
Partners
Laura Swan
Laura is a General Partner at Silicon Catalyst Ventures and an investor with Sand Hill Angels. She began her career in networking before the internet boom, contributing to early startups that developed the first switches and routers. With over a decade in software and firmware development, Laura has deep expertise across the full engineering lifecycle—from system architecture and testing to deployment—and later led product development as an engineering program manager. Passionate about helping founders build scalable technologies, she bridges innovation across industries through her technical and venture experience.
Andy Lombard
Andy is the Founder and Managing Partner of Tesoro Venture Capital, an AI and semiconductor accelerator and venture fund helping deep-tech startups scale through capital, strategic partnerships, and global supply-chain access. A six-time venture-backed founder and former Motorola Asia and Motorola Ventures executive, Andy led investments and partnerships across 13 countries. He also launched the Arizona Innovation Challenge and Venture Ready Accelerator, investing $25 million into 165 startups now valued at over $7 billion, and founded the $87 million Arizona Venture Development Corporation. At Tesoro, his vision is to cultivate the next generation of AI and semiconductor leaders driving innovations that will reshape global industries and economies.
Janis Skriveris
Janis is a Principal at Plug and Play Ventures and Deeptech lead, researching and investing in cutting-edge technologies worldwide. His purview spans Deeptech, AI, Mobility, AEC, Cleantech, and AI infrastructure, where he supports startups transforming physical environments. He’s been with Plug and Play since 2017, helping run accelerator cohorts and connect founders with global corporate partners. Janis has led dozens of early stage investments, including notably backing the unicorn Einride. Previously, he worked at EY in Assurance and Consulting, developing expertise in strategic planning, risk management, and business transformation.
Sam Fok
Sam is co-founder and CEO of femtoAI and is on a mission to empower intelligence in every device. femtoAI develops vertically-integrated silicon and software for AI inference in embedded electronics. The sheer scale of AI exceeds the world's capacity for capital, area, and energy. femtoAI brings these resource requirements down by leveraging locality and sparse math technology to deliver 10x reductions in area and cost and 100x improvements in energy efficiency. femtoAI’s chip and software products are already powering intelligence in everyday products ranging from appliances to hearing aids.
Hardware Meetups happen across 50+ cities around the world, bringing together hardware professionals to network, share knowledge, and support each other and the larger hardware ecosystem.
Michael Raspuzzi
Michael is the founder of Worldwide Studios, an education non-profit helping builders work with the latest tools in AI, hardware, and applied sciences, including self-driving lab applications. As the Global Lead, he has expanded the Hardware Meetup community worldwide. Continuing a Silicon Valley tradition where builders shared ideas in rapid-fire sessions, Michael will lead an open-mic segment inviting attendees to give a 2-min talk about the projects they are building, many of which are perfectly suited for the ICTGC initiatives.
Time | Agenda | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
5:00-5:30 pm | Guest Registration & Networking | |
5:30-5:40 pm | Opening Remarks by VIP | |
5:40-5:55 pm | ICTGC Introduction & Call for Applications | Jacky Chen, InnoVEX Startup Marketing Manager, Taipei Computer Association |
5:55-6:05 pm | "Accelerating the Future: How Semiconductor Startups Scale from Idea to Impact" | Laura Swan,
General Partner,
Silicon Catalyst Ventures |
6:05-6:15 pm | "Bridging Capital and Innovation: How VC's Empower Global Tech Collaboration" | Andrew Lombard,
Founder & CEO,
TESORO VC |
6:15-6:25 pm | "Empowering the Global Semiconductor Ecosystem: From Innovation to Scale" | Janis Skriveris,
Venture Principal,
Plug and Play HQ |
6:25-6:35 pm | "Hardware Innovation in the AI Era: Lessons from a Silicon Valley Startup" | Sam Fok,
CEO
Femto AI
(ICTGC Batch 3 Winner) |
6:35-6:50 pm | "Hardware Meetups Open-Mic Session" | Michael Raspuzzi, Global Lead, Hardware Meetups |
6:50-7:30 pm | Networking Session |
Alongside Western hors d’oeuvres, guests will enjoy authentic Taiwanese bites and signature drinks celebrating the spirit of exchange between Silicon Valley and Taiwan. During the networking session, each attendee will receive an authentic Taiwanese straw shopping bag with ICTGC program information — a stylish keepsake and a meaningful reminder of the opportunities to connect, collaborate, and innovate through this global initiative with Taiwan.
IC Taiwan Grand Challenge ICTGC
The IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC) is a flagship innovation program sponsored by the Taiwanese government to attract and empower global startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Designed to showcase Taiwan’s cutting edge capabilities in semiconductors, AI, and advanced technologies, the initiative invites participants worldwide to co-create solutions with Taiwan’s industry and research ecosystem. Through mentorship, resources, and strategic partnerships, ICTGC provides a gateway for innovators to leverage Taiwan’s powerful semiconductor supply chain and compete for prestigious prizes that accelerate global impact and collaboration.
Top Prize $30,000
+ Mentorship | Resources | Partnership
Calling startup founders - Come learn directly from the organizers on how to apply for prizes, gain mentorship, access key resources, and form strategic partnerships to tap into Taiwan’s powerful semiconductor industry and manufacturing ecosystem.
Bridging Silicon Valley and Taiwan:
Semiconductor & AI Synergies
January 13, 2026
Tuesday 5:30 PM PST
Startup Island TAIWAN - Silicon Valley Hub
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