Startup Island TAIWAN Podcast

Moltbot(Openclaw) is an open-source, local AI agent that shifts the paradigm from reactive chatbots to proactive digital butlers running on your own hardware. With features like persistent memory stored in local files and full terminal access, it can automate complex tasks—from fixing servers to grocery shopping—and initiate conversations on apps like WhatsApp. However, granting an AI such high-level control over your computer offers the "Ultimate Software Experience" only if users strictly manage the inherent security risks through sandboxing. Moltbot (Openclaw) 是一款運行於本地端的開源 AI 代理人，將 AI 從被動問答轉變為能主動服務的數位管家。它具備存在本地檔案的永久記憶與電腦終端機的完全控制權，不僅能自動執行修復伺服器或購物等複雜任務，還能主動透過通訊軟體聯繫用戶。 然而，賦予 AI 如此高的系統權限雖能帶來極致的效率，使用者也必須透過沙盒機制嚴格控管，以防範潛在的資安風險。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this episode, we dive into the real forces reshaping the semiconductor world: export controls, licensing regimes, and the race for AI chip supremacy. The industry is undergoing a permanent structural shift where security now commands the budget, and regional fragmentation is the new reality. Join us as we break down why "tariffs move the margins, but geopolitics moves the market". Whether you are an investor or a tech enthusiast, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters—from overseas fab expansions to advanced-node leadership. 歡迎收聽本集節目。近期美台關稅調降的消息引發市場關注，本集我們將探討真正驅動 2026 年晶片市場的底層邏輯：出口管制、技術領先地位以及美中地緣政治競爭。隨著全球供應鏈從追求「效率」轉向「安全與韌性」，台灣雖穩居全球晶片棋盤的核心，卻也面臨地緣政治的脆弱性。我們將分析為什麼對台積電（TSMC）等巨頭而言，取得 EUV 設備與遵守出口法規，遠比關稅調整更具決定性。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this episode, we invited Tesoro Venture Capital Founder and Managing Partner Andy Lombard to share how he identifies future industry leaders amid the trillion-dollar global race in semiconductors and AI.Developing a new chip often takes close to a decade and requires tens of millions of U.S. dollars in investment. Tesoro approaches this challenge through a model it calls “Codependent Innovation,” working in close collaboration with ecosystem partners such as TSMC, Cadence, and Amkor. By embedding startups directly into this network, Tesoro helps establish real-time feedback loops that significantly shorten development cycles. Andy explains in detail how Tesoro’s accelerator programs are designed to compress both R&D timelines and costs, with an ambitious goal: to cultivate the next generation of TSMC’s most important global customers within the next five years.Beyond investment strategy, Andy also discusses how Tesoro is working to replicate the success of Taiwan’s Hsinchu Science Park in the “Silicon Desert” of Phoenix. Tesoro is actively connecting leading universities—such as the University of Arizona and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University—with advanced research centers, focusing on frontier domains including Physical AI, robotics, photonics, and AI chips engineered for extreme environments such as space.In this episode, we take a closer look at how Tesoro supports Taiwanese and global startups as they establish a presence in the U.S. market. Through cross-border collaboration and what Andy describes as a “corridor effect,” Tesoro aims to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation hard technologies and help shape a truly global ecosystem for physical, real-world AI.在本集節目中，我們邀請到 Tesoro Venture Capital 的創辦人兼管理合夥人 Andy Lombard，與我們分享他如何在價值兆元的半導體與 AI 競賽中挖掘未來的產業巨頭。開發一顆晶片通常需要耗時十年並投入數千萬美金，但 Tesoro 透過「共同依賴式創新（Codependent Innovation）」模式，與台積電 (TSMC)、Cadence 及 Amkor 等生態系夥伴緊密合作，為新創公司建立即時的反饋機制。Andy 詳細介紹了他們如何透過加速器計畫壓縮研發時間與成本，目標是在未來五年內，為台積電培養出下一批最重要的全球大客戶。 從新竹到鳳凰城：打造實體 AI 的全球生態系 除了投資策略，Andy 也探討了如何將台灣新竹科學園區的成功模式，複製到亞利桑那州鳳凰城的「矽沙漠」。Tesoro 致力於串聯全球頂尖大學（如亞利桑那大學與陽明交大）與研究中心，鎖定「實體 AI (Physical AI)」、機器人、光子學以及專為太空極端環境設計的 AI 晶片等前瞻領域。我們將深入了解 Tesoro 如何協助台灣及全球的新創團隊落腳美國市場，並透過跨國合作的「廊道」效應，推動次世代硬科技的商業化進程。📍 About Host: Uly SuGeneral Partner, Addins Venture#CrossBorderMentor #StartupExpansion #TaiwanToSiliconValley🌏 A cross-border mentor who supports startups in entering global markets, with deep experience in fundraising, talent strategy, and international operations across the U.S. and Taiwan.🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulysu/📚 Learn more about Taiwan’s startup ecosystem 👉🏼 https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u🚀 Stay connected with Taiwan–Silicon Valley innovation via the Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub:https://sv.startupisland.tw/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

This episode of Deep Dive provides a comprehensive recap of CES 2026, highlighting a pivotal shift in the technology landscape from Generative AI (chatbots) to "Agentic AI" and "Physical AI." The discussion focuses on how AI is moving beyond the screen and cloud into the physical world to become the foundational infrastructure of consumer technology. The hosts explain that this new era is defined by "agency"—software that proactively anticipates user needs and executes tasks across devices without waiting for prompts—marking a departure from the passive tools of the past few years. The episode details specific innovations driving this shift, particularly the rise of local AI processing on PCs and smartphones to ensure privacy and speed (the "AI PC" era). It covers major developments in robotics, such as Hyundai's industrial integration of Boston Dynamics and new home assistants from Samsung and LG that aim to be helpful rather than just novelties. Furthermore, the discussion touches on the explosion of health tech following new FDA guidance, featuring non-invasive monitoring and smart wellness devices, ultimately painting a picture of a future where technology becomes an invisible, proactive, and helpful layer in daily life. 這集 podcast 針對剛落幕的 CES 2026 進行了深入的趨勢分析，重點在於人工智慧（AI）的重大轉型：從單純的「生成式 AI」（如對話機器人）進化為具備主動執行能力的「代理 AI」（Agentic AI）與「實體 AI」（Physical AI）。節目指出，AI 已不再只是雲端上的軟體，而是成為各種硬體設備的基礎架構（Infrastructure）。透過 Lenovo 的情境感知筆電、Samsung 與 LG 的智慧家電生態系等案例，主持人解釋了 AI 如何從「等待指令」轉變為「預測需求並主動執行」，真正實現跨裝置的無縫協作。 除了軟體代理，節目也探討了 AI 進入實體世界的硬體突破。重點涵蓋了 NVIDIA 與現代汽車（Boston Dynamics）在工業與居家機器人上的進展，以及為了支援這些「邊緣運算」所需的強大晶片（如 NVIDIA RTX 50 系列與各家 NPU）。此外，討論觸及了 FDA 新規範放寬後帶來的健康科技爆發，例如非侵入式血糖監測與智慧馬桶等。整體而言，CES 2026 標誌著科技正從數位的對話框，大步邁向能感知、移動並協助人類處理實體任務的時代。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

VC Talks: Shao-Yu Jheng (Harvard) | Why Reindustrialization Won't Work Without Global Supply Networks As reshoring and industrial policy return to the center of U.S. economic strategy, supply chains are increasingly framed as matters of national security and sovereignty. But history tells a more complicated story. In this episode of VC Talks, Uly revisits Left for Dead, a 1997 study on the revival of U.S. electronics, to question whether bringing manufacturing back home was ever the true driver of America’s industrial recovery. Joined by Shao-Yu Jheng, a postdoctoral researcher in Economics at Harvard University, the conversation reframes the 1980s–90s comeback as a story of network leadership rather than national production. The episode examines why the Japanese manufacturing model ran into structural limits, how Taiwan and overseas Chinese (OC) production networks enabled coordination at scale, and why control over global supply networks—rather than factory location alone—proved decisive. Looking ahead, the discussion challenges today’s reshoring debate by asking what industrial policy can realistically change, and where its influence fundamentally ends. 在美國近年大力推動再工業化與製造回流的政策背景下，供應鏈被重新視為國家競爭力的核心資產。然而，歷史是否真的支持「把工廠搬回國內」就能重建產業實力？本集《VC Talks》回到一篇 1997 年探討美國電子產業復甦的研究〈Left for Dead〉，試圖從產業史的角度，重新檢視當前對 reshoring 的普遍想像。 主持人 Uly 與哈佛大學經濟學博士研究員鄭紹鈺深入對談，指出美國在 1980 至 1990 年代的產業反彈，並非來自製造回流，而是成功主導橫跨多國的生產網絡。節目聚焦日本製造模式的結構性限制，以及臺灣與海外華人（OC）產業網絡如何在關鍵時刻提供彈性、效率與協調能力，成為美國科技體系得以延續競爭優勢的隱形支柱。本集不只回顧歷史，也直指一個當代問題：在高度全球化的供應鏈體系中，真正的產業力量，究竟掌握在國家邊界，還是網絡控制之中？ 📍 About Host: Uly Su General Partner, Addins Venture #CrossBorderMentor #StartupExpansion #TaiwanToSiliconValley 🌏 A cross-border mentor who supports startups in entering global markets, with deep experience in fundraising, talent strategy, and international operations across the U.S. and Taiwan. 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulysu/ 📚 Learn more about Taiwan’s startup ecosystem 👉🏼 https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u 🚀 Stay connected with Taiwan–Silicon Valley innovation via the Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub: https://sv.startupisland.tw/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

Robotics and AI are becoming core foundational capabilities of the physical economy. As AI extends from cloud-based models into hospitals, logistics centers, and a wide range of service environments, robots increasingly carry functions of perception, reasoning, and decision-making, directly translating into measurable gains in productivity, system reliability, and operational safety. Together, they are emerging as critical infrastructure supporting the operation of modern society. Taiwan has established “Robotics + AI” as a key direction in its future industrial布局, responding to the long-term challenge of a highly concentrated industrial structure. While semiconductors remain a central pillar, their capital-intensive nature and limited spillover effects mean that the next phase of growth must come from a new industrial curve. The National Development Council has therefore been tasked with identifying scalable, repeatable, and extensible industry models—channeling Taiwan’s deep strengths in hardware, engineering, and systems integration into professional, service-oriented robotics, with priority deployment in healthcare, long-term care, logistics, and facility management where demand is clear. Along this trajectory, the government’s role is evolving into that of an industry accelerator. By integrating R&D outputs and supporting the formation of new robotics companies, it is laying the groundwork for private capital and startups to enter, scale, and participate sustainably. This episode approaches the topic through the lens of industrial structure and policy logic, explaining why Taiwan has positioned Robotics + AI at the core of its next industrial phase, and how this strategy may shape the country’s economic future. 機器人與 AI 正成為實體經濟運作的核心底層能力。隨著 AI 從雲端模型延伸至醫院、物流中心與各類服務場域，機器人逐步承載感知、判斷與決策功能，並直接轉化為可量化的生產力、系統穩定度與營運安全，成為支撐現代社會運作的重要基礎設施。 臺灣已將「機器人＋AI」確立為未來產業布局的關鍵方向，回應產業結構高度集中的長期挑戰。半導體仍是核心支柱，但其資本密集與產業外溢有限，使得下一階段成長動能必須來自新的產業曲線。國發會因此被賦予尋找可延展、可複製、可擴散產業模式的任務，將臺灣深厚的硬體、工程與系統整合能力，導入專業用、服務型機器人領域，並優先落地於醫療、長照、物流與場域管理等需求明確的應用場景。 在這個方向上，政府的角色將成為產業成形的推進器。透過整合研發成果整合、成立新的機器人企業，將可為民間資本與新創團隊鋪設可進場、可放大的基礎。本集從產業結構與政策邏輯切入，解析臺灣以機器人與 AI 作為下一階段產業核心的理由，以及這項布局對臺灣經濟可能帶來的深層影響。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

In this episode, Uly examines five defining technology signals emerging from Taiwan in 2025—and explains why they matter far beyond local headlines. Rather than viewing Taiwan solely as a semiconductor manufacturing center, this conversation reframes it as a critical capability hub shaping how artificial intelligence systems scale, deploy, and sustain over the next decade. The discussion covers TSMC’s USD 100 billion expansion in the United States, NVIDIA’s decision to establish its major R&D headquarters in Taipei, and AMD’s continued expansion of its R&D footprint in Taiwan. Uly also breaks down the strategic implications of Taiwan’s AI Basic Law, as well as the accelerating commercialization of silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO) by leading Taiwanese technology companies. Together, these developments point to a deeper shift: AI’s future growth is increasingly constrained not by models alone, but by infrastructure, hardware integration, regulation, and long-term system design. This episode offers investors, founders, and technology leaders a clearer framework for understanding why Taiwan plays a central role in the global AI roadmap—and why the AI era cannot scale without it. 本集深入解析 2025 年來自臺灣的五項關鍵科技訊號，說明這些發展為何不只是區域新聞，而是正在影響全球 AI 擴展路徑的重要因素。本集重新定位臺灣的角色，從單一的半導體製造重鎮，轉向支撐 AI 長期發展的核心能力基地。 內容涵蓋台積電在美國規模達 1,000 億美元的投資布局、NVIDIA 將重要研發總部設於台北、AMD 持續擴大在臺灣的研發投入，同時也討論《AI 基本法》對產業與技術治理的影響，以及臺灣大型科技公司加速推動矽光子與 CPO 商業化的進展。 這些訊號共同指向一個更深層的轉變：AI 的成長瓶頸，已不再只是模型能力，而是來自硬體整合、基礎設施、制度設計與長期系統規劃。本集提供投資人、創辦人與產業決策者一個清楚視角，理解為何臺灣在全球 AI 發展中占據關鍵位置，以及 AI 時代為何無法在沒有臺灣的情況下持續擴展。 📍 About Host: Uly Su General Partner, Addins Venture #CrossBorderMentor #StartupExpansion #TaiwanToSiliconValley 🌏 A cross-border mentor who supports startups in entering global markets, with deep experience in fundraising, talent strategy, and international operations across the U.S. and Taiwan. 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulysu/ 📚 Learn more about Taiwan’s startup ecosystem 👉🏼 https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u 🚀 Stay connected with Taiwan–Silicon Valley innovation via the Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub: https://sv.startupisland.tw/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

In 2026, generative AI is crossing a critical threshold—from reactive tools to action-oriented systems capable of setting goals and executing tasks. This shift is already reshaping how organizations make decisions, how teams operate, and how individual roles are valued. This episode explores the most defining generative AI trends of 2026, including the real-world deployment of AI agents, the growing tension between scale and authenticity in generated content, and the expansion of AI into research, simulation, and professional decision-making. Rather than a technical overview, this conversation focuses on what has already changed and which capabilities are being repriced. If you’re a founder, investor, business leader, or a professional assessing how AI will impact your role and industry, this episode provides a clear framework for understanding what truly matters in the year ahead. 2026 年，生成式 AI 正在跨過一條關鍵界線——從被動回應指令的工具，轉變為能設定目標、主動執行任務的行動型系統。這個轉變，正實際影響企業如何做決策、團隊如何協作，以及個人工作的價值定位。 本集將聚焦生成式 AI 在 2026 年最具代表性的趨勢，包括 AI Agent 的實際落地、生成內容與真實性的張力、以及 AI 如何進入研究、資料模擬與專業決策場景。這不只是對技術發展的整理，而是協助你理解哪些變化已經發生、哪些能力正在被重新定價。 如果你是創辦人、投資人、企業決策者，或正在評估 AI 對自身工作與產業影響的專業工作者，這一集將幫助你用更清楚的脈絡，看懂接下來一年值得關注的方向。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

Timothy Chen, Founder of Essence VC and a seasoned early-stage investor, delves into the evolving landscape of AI investments. He emphasizes that, despite advances in technology, the quality of founders remains paramount. Chen discusses how AI has democratized opportunities and the importance of being integrated into the Silicon Valley ecosystem. He highlights the risk of common red flags in early-stage teams and predicts that while AI can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace human judgment in building trust and making investment decisions.

In late November 2025, Taiwan marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of the first satellite in the Formosat-8 constellation. Carried into a 561-km sun-synchronous orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, the “Chi Po-lin” satellite symbolizes both technical progress and cultural meaning, extending the late filmmaker’s aerial perspective of Taiwan into space. This mission inaugurates Taiwan’s first domestically built high-resolution Earth-observation constellation. FORMOSAT-8 will eventually consist of eight satellites deployed between 2025 and 2031. With native 1-meter resolution—improving to roughly 70 centimeters for two advanced units—the constellation will provide multiple daily revisits over Taiwan. Importantly, about 84% of each satellite’s core components are manufactured in Taiwan, covering optics, structures, propulsion, and electronics. This demonstrates the country’s ambition to develop a self-reliant industrial base for space technologies. The episode also explores the broader global landscape. The value of the global space economy reached USD 570 billion in 2023 and is projected to exceed USD 1 trillion within the decade. Reusable rockets from SpaceX and Blue Origin, mega-constellations such as Starlink and OneWeb, and commercial imaging companies like Planet Labs and ICEYE are reshaping how nations communicate, observe Earth, and respond to climate and security challenges. In this episode, we examine what Formosat-8 means for Taiwan’s space capabilities, how global players are redefining the space economy, and why satellite technology is becoming essential infrastructure for connectivity, environmental monitoring, disaster response, and national security. Taiwan’s emerging participation in this ecosystem reflects both technological ambition and a strategic need for resilience in an increasingly complex world. 2025 年 11 月底，臺灣太空發展迎來重要進展。福衛八號首顆衛星搭載 SpaceX Falcon 9 成功進入 561 公里太陽同步軌道，正式啟動臺灣第一組自製高解析度遙測衛星星座。以導演齊柏林命名的首枚衛星象徵「從空中看臺灣」的精神延伸至太空，也展現臺灣提升自主太空能力的決心。 福衛八號採「6＋2」配置，從 2025 至 2031 年將部署八顆衛星，其原生解析度達 1 公尺，部分可提升至約 70 公分，並具備每日多次回訪臺灣的能力。約 84% 的技術與零組件由臺灣研發製造，涵蓋光學、結構、推進與電子系統，意味著本土太空產業正逐步形成完整供應鏈。 本集節目也將延伸至全球脈動。2023 年全球太空經濟規模已達 5,700 億美元，預估本世代內有望突破 1 兆美元。從 SpaceX、Blue Origin 的可重複使用火箭，到 Starlink、OneWeb 的全球通訊網，再到 Planet Labs 與 ICEYE 的商業遙測服務，太空已成為通訊、氣候、國安與產業韌性的核心基礎設施。 在這集節目中，我們帶你理解福衛八號的技術進展、全球太空產業的競逐，以及臺灣如何藉由自主研發與國際合作，在新興太空經濟中建立關鍵角色。 Powered by Firstory Hosting