Chip-adjacent startups are becoming the most fundable companies of 2026 as AI shifts from software to real-world deployment. With inference demand soaring and hardware offering deeper defensibility, investors are backing bold innovators like Groq, Etched.ai, Tenstorrent, and femtoAI. As this new AI gold rush accelerates, programs like ICTGC give founders a crucial edge in prototyping, manufacturing, and scaling globally.

In the fast-paced environment of Silicon Valley, having a “bias for action” is a defining cultural value that sets successful tech companies apart. This principle emphasizes quick decision-making, rapid execution, and a preference for testing ideas rather than waiting for perfect information. By prioritizing action over exhaustive analysis, companies can accelerate innovation, adapt to market changes, and outpace competitors. In industries characterized by rapid technological

Pallets move nearly every product we use, yet the system that carries them is slow and outdated. Traverse Aero is changing that with autonomous air transport designed to move pallets quickly, directly, and efficiently. In this Tech Talk, founder Scott Parker explains how airborne automation could transform global logistics. Watch the video to see the future of pallet transport take flight.

Across China’s industrial heartland, factory floors once crowded with workers are now lit by the cool glow of automation. Assembly lines hum in perfect sync, robotic arms dance in silence, and production runs 24 hours a day without human fatigue. It’s a glimpse of a near-future world where machines, not men, drive the rhythm of industry.

Silicon Valley’s long-held belief that software dominates innovation is shifting. As AI systems mature and demand physical embodiments to act in the real world, hardware is experiencing a major resurgence. Robotics, autonomous machines, and AI-native devices are rapidly rising, driven by changes in global supply chains, manufacturing economics, and evolving venture investment priorities.

As AI reshapes global industries, all roads lead to silicon — and TSMC stands at the center. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang credits the Taiwanese foundry for making modern AI possible, while Elon Musk eyes a bold move to build Tesla’s own fab. This deep-dive unpacks the chip bottleneck defining our technological era and why investing in hard tech has never mattered more. Join Investing in Hard Tech, Nov 18 at CreaTV San Jose.

In this episode of Silicon Valley Spotlight, composer-improviser David Leikam transforms the Moog Rogue synthesizer into a vessel of raw expression. Known as a sonic architect, David blends instinct and experimentation to craft soundscapes that challenge the limits of modern improvisation—where every tone is alive with emotion, movement, and boundless creative energy.

Where is smart money flowing in hardware? Join Silicon Valley Unplugged: Investing in Hard Tech on Nov 18, 2025 (6–8 PM) at CreaTV San Jose Studio, featuring Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures. Learn how top investors back breakthroughs in AI hardware, semiconductors, and robotics — and how founders can turn science into scale. This event also leads into Bridging Silicon Valley and Taiwan: Semiconductor & AI Synergies on Jan 13 2026.

Taiwan—the “Silicon Island”—is the world’s center for advanced chip fabrication powering the AI revolution. On January 13, 2026, Sparknify will host “Bridging Silicon Valley and Taiwan: Semiconductor & AI Synergies” on behalf of the Taipei Computer Association (TCA) at Startup Island Taiwan – Silicon Valley Hub in Palo Alto. The event connects global founders, researchers, and investors with Taiwan’s world-class semiconductor and hardware ecosystem.

Micromanagement may seem like diligence, but it’s really control driven by fear and insecurity. Once useful in rigid command-and-control settings, it crushes creativity and morale in modern organizations. Research shows that over-controlling leaders stifle motivation, innovation, and trust—exactly what businesses need most. In the AI era, where adaptability and autonomy drive success, micromanagers risk becoming their company’s greatest obstacle.

Located in the birthplace of Silicon Valley, Hyatt Centric Mountain View offers a uniquely themed stay with circuit-inspired design, a tech-history library, and proximity to the Alamo Drafthouse’s A Chip Odyssey screening. A favorite among Taiwanese executives and global innovators, the hotel blends business convenience with local culture. Don’t miss dining at Fairchilds Public House. Mention Sparknify for a possible discount.

From Meiji Japan to modern Taiwan, the spirit of global learning has transformed nations. This article traces how Fukuzawa Yukichi’s 19th-century vision of education and Western knowledge laid the foundation for Japan’s rise—and how Taiwan echoed that model to become a global semiconductor leader. Featuring insights from A Chip Odyssey and Taiwan Demo Day, it reveals how openness to the world continues to shape innovation across generations.

Silicon Valley, the birthplace of innovation and dreams powered by silicon, is about to witness a cinematic event that hits closer to home than any superhero film or sci-fi spectacle. “A Chip Odyssey” — the groundbreaking documentary that swept audiences in Taiwan — is coming to Alamo Drafthouse Mountain View on November 2, 2025, in a special screening event that includes a Q&A with the director and producers.

When OpenAI’s Sam Altman announced that ChatGPT will soon allow erotica for verified adults, it wasn’t just a policy update — it was a cultural tremor. The adult industry, long intertwined with technological innovation, now faces a revolution driven by generative AI. For creators like Zara Dar, who famously left her PhD in bioengineering for OnlyFans stardom, this shift raises a deeper question: what happens when machines learn to perform desire better than humans?

What if the everyday objects around you — a spring, a pipe, a piece of metal — could sing? In this episode of Silicon Valley Spotlight, we explore the mind of Bryan Day, an experimental sound artist, inventor, and performer who transforms found materials into mesmerizing sound sculptures. From tinkering with discarded electronics to performing with self-built instruments, Bryan challenges how we define music, noise, and art. 🔍 Inside this SV Spotlight episode: How Bryan Day

In the landscape of Mandarin music, Taiwan has always been a cradle of creativity and cultural fusion. From the folk song movement to pop icons, from indie rock to experimental electronic sounds, this island continually gives birth to music that reflects the pulse of its era. Among these genres, rap stands apart — bold, unfiltered, and unapologetically real.

For centuries, aging was seen as an inevitable process of decline—a slow drift from vitality to frailty. But in the 21st century, that definition is being rewritten. Today, aging is increasingly understood as something that can be measured, managed, and perhaps even reversed. We are on the cusp of a world where longevity doesn’t just mean adding years to life, but adding life to years.

AI is transforming every corner of society — and education is no exception. From reshaping how students learn to redefining the admissions process, the future of learning is here. But what happens when algorithms, not humans, begin to evaluate what makes a “good student”? In this episode of SV Up (Silicon Valley Unplugged), filmed live in Palo Alto, we bring together experts and innovators to tackle one of the biggest questions of our time: How will AI disrupt education an

The culture of Silicon Valley places a strong emphasis on embracing failure as a fundamental part of the innovation journey. Unlike traditional business environments that prioritize risk aversion, Silicon Valley champions the idea of “failing fast” and “failing forward.” Here, failure is not only expected but viewed as a valuable learning experience that can drive the next wave of breakthroughs. This mindset, is rooted in experimentation and rapid iteration.

A glamorous news anchor, Peiyu Hung. A brilliant software engineer, Kelly Tsai. Alongside Silicon Valley pros George Hsieh and IC (Yi-Chien Chan), the four cross the Pacific to swap stories, laughs, and insights. From workplace culture clashes to media industry struggles, from Jensen Huang’s private jet to the ultimate foodie maps — nothing is off the table. The conversation flows between Taipei and Silicon Valley, giving you a front-row seat to two exciting worlds at once.