[New Taipei City News] On July 25, the New Taipei City Government Youth Department led six local startup teams in an in-depth exchange and one-on-one mentorship session with A Team Hub (ATH) and two major U.S. startup ecosystem players: the renowned Los Angeles-based accelerator Larta Institute, and the Tech Coast Angels (TCA) Venture investment network. This initiative not only connects New Taipei City’s emerging startups with the U.S. innovation ecosystem, but also underscores the Youth Department’s core commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs in expanding into global markets.
Youth Department Commissioner Marcia Qiu emphasized that New Taipei City boasts abundant technological and innovative capacity, but breaking into overseas markets remains a major challenge for startups amid intense global competition. Los Angeles, as the second-largest U.S. city and a hub for industry and innovation, offers unique opportunities for international growth. Last year, the Youth Department facilitated a knowledge exchange with Austrian startups, providing insights into the European innovation landscape. This year, by successfully connecting with U.S. accelerators and investors, the Department aims to acquaint local teams with international acceleration models and investment perspectives, thereby strengthening their cross-border strategies and fundraising capabilities.
The exchange event, made possible by ATH, brought together two key U.S. startup resource partners—Larta Institute and TCA Venture—for an in-depth discussion held at InnoSquare. Dr. Edison, Chairman of ATH, noted that Taiwanese startups aiming to enter the U.S. market must build strong cross-industry linkages. Los Angeles offers distinct advantages in fields such as healthcare, sustainability, food technology, and AI applications, setting it apart from Silicon Valley or Boston. ATH has worked closely with Larta Institute for years, providing Taiwanese startups and SMEs with comprehensive support in market entry, international expansion, and capital acquisition through global mentorship, corporate partnerships, and early-stage funding.
The event focused on ESG and biomedical applications, featuring six standout startup teams invited by the Youth Department: Great Minds, PetSci, HOYE Technology, Neurobit, Amelio, and Black Solution Nanotech. One month prior, the teams joined a dual-track coaching program with experts from both Taiwan and the U.S., involving in-depth diagnostics, pitch refinement, and strategic simulations to help them engage productively at the event.
Cindy Cheng, COO of PetSci, shared that the event provided valuable feedback from Los Angeles experts, especially regarding U.S. market entry strategies and potential business risks. The team also received hands-on guidance in revising their business plan. She noted that the experience broadened their global outlook and expressed hope for future collaborations and overseas expansion opportunities.
Internationalization is a key pillar of New Taipei City’s startup ecosystem. The New Taipei City Government remains committed to fostering cross-border collaboration and supporting global market development by providing international engagement opportunities that empower local startups to shine on the world stage. This Taiwan–U.S. startup dialogue not only strengthened the teams’ global readiness, but also injected diverse perspectives and resources into New Taipei City’s innovation landscape.
