MOEA Minister Kung Leads Delegation to San Francisco to Strengthen Taiwan–U.S. Collaboration in Scientific Innovation and Industrial Technology

Minister Kung Ming-hsin of the Ministry of Economic Affairs witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Stanford Robotics Center (SRC).

On January 23 (UTC-8), Ming-hsin Kung, Minister of Economic Affairs, led a delegation to visit San Francisco, USA. During the visit, he witnessed the signing of a new collaboration agreement between the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Stanford Robotics Center (SRC), as well as the Stanford University of Engineering to launch the latest phase of the Taiwan Research Institute Entrepreneur Ecosystem Program (TREE).

Additionally, Minister Kung met with leadership from Cadence, a global leader in Electronic Design Automation (EDA) based in Silicon Valley, and engaged with Apex, a U.S. space startup unicorn, further strengthening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in scientific research, innovation, talent cultivation, and startup ecosystem development.

Under the witness of Minister Kung, ITRI and the Stanford Office of Technology Licensing signed a cooperation agreement, officially announcing Taiwan's membership in the SRC Industry Alliance. The collaboration will focus on three major directions: "Talent Exchange," "Technology Co-Creation," and "International Ecosystem Linkage."

This partnership aims to integrate Taiwan's leading capabilities in hardware manufacturing and field deployment with Stanford's cross-disciplinary research and development strengths. The signing of this agreement marks a shift from academic exchange to tangible technological implementation, helping Taiwan establish a key strategic position in the global AI and robotics supply chain.

Minister Kung emphasized that the government's "AI New Ten Major Infrastructure Projects" initiative positions smart robots as a core enabler for the implementation of AI technologies. By leveraging government resources to connect industry, academia, and research, Taiwan aims to enhance the research and development visibility of its startups and enterprises. The international collaboration with Stanford builds on Taiwan's solid industrial foundation, accelerating the internationalization of Taiwan's smart robotics industry through demonstration fields and bilateral empowerment with international alliances, thereby driving industrial transformation and enhancing competitiveness.

Minister Ming-hsin Kung witnessed the signing of a new-phase cooperation agreement for the "TREE Program" between the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Stanford School of Engineering's Center for Global Online Entrepreneurship Education (CGOE)

On the same day, Minister Kung also witnessed the signing of a new phase cooperation agreement for the "TREE Program" between the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Stanford Engineering Center for Global and Online Entrepreneurship (CGOE). In his remarks, Minister Kung stated that by directly linking Taiwanese startups with the capital and mentor resources of top global universities, the initiative helps startups connect with international markets, successfully secure funding, and expand global business opportunities. He expressed his expectation that more Taiwanese startups will benefit from such opportunities in the future.

The MOEA has promoted the TREE Program since 2021, selecting five high-potential startups each year to participate in an intensive program in Silicon Valley. Under the guidance of Stanford mentors, participating startups receive tailored courses to refine fundraising strategies and validate business models. Since the program's inception, 20 startups have been successfully supported, collectively attracting more than NT$500 million in overseas investment and securing orders exceeding NT$100 million.

Minister Ming-hsin Kung paid a visit to the headquarters of Cadence Design Systems, a global leader in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), in Silicon Valley.

During his visit to San Francisco, Minister Kung also paid a visit to Cadence, engaging in in-depth discussions on the company's advanced technology R&D deployment in Taiwan, the integration of AI with chip design and EDA software development, and the further strengthening of Taiwan–U.S. semiconductor industry cooperation. Minister Kung noted that Cadence has long been deeply engaged in Taiwan's semiconductor industry and has made tangible contributions to industrial upgrading. John Wall, Chief Financial Officer of Cadence, stated that the company will continue to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan by investing in advanced technologies and expanding its workforce and operational scale in Taiwan.

Cadence has received support under the MOEA's Global Innovation Partnership Initiatives Program. The MOEA affirmed Cadence's continued expansion of its R&D capabilities in Taiwan, its introduction of overseas professional talent, the deepening of collaboration with industry, academia, and research institutions, as well as its efforts to cultivate multidisciplinary talent for the semiconductor industry. These initiatives will further expand Cadence's R&D center in Taiwan and enhance its international visibility.

Minister Kung will also hold discussions with Taiwanese business leaders in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley to gain insights into their investment strategies and operational conditions in the United States, as well as to understand areas where government assistance may be needed. The feedback will serve as a reference for the government in advancing its strategy of "rooted in Taiwan, deploying globally, and marketing to the world."