Event Report: Meet Taipei 2024

Meet Taipei Booth (Photo: Shibuya City)

Meet Taipei 2024

The theme of Meet Taipei 2024 was “TAIWAN +1,” exploring Taiwan’s international presence in the three areas of AI application (AI+1), deep tech (Tech+1), and internationalization (Global+1). More than 460 startups from 18 countries participated in the event, with a focus on building global partnerships.

Three S-Startups alumni were in attendance:

・Yokaizen: Developing an app that integrates manga content with therapeutic techniques to support personal growth and improve mental health and well-being.

・Hello World: Offering educational opportunities that provide exposure to diversity, aiming to be the equivalent to short-term overseas study programs without leaving Japan. Services include Machinaka Ryugaku and WorldClassroom.

・Adora: makers of Kodomamo, an AI-powered app that detects dangerous chats or inappropriate selfies taken on childrens’ smartphones and notifies parents. It also includes features such as screen time management, real-time location tracking, and prevention of distracted smartphone use.

Yoshiro from Shibuya City on the stage (Photo: Shibuya City)

Sustainable Impact Forum

On the second day of Meet Taipei, the Sustainable Impact Forum hosted a panel where SSS’s Yoshiro Tasaka took the stage to share insights on the current state of impact-driven startups in Shibuya and the support systems available together with Steve Lin, co-founder of Sustainable Impact Capital and a leading figure in impact investment, and John Sechrest, founder of the Seattle Angel Conference.

Panel Discussion: Fostering Collaboration through Corporate Innovation (Photo: Shibuya City)

Panel Discussion: Fostering Collaboration through Corporate Innovation

SSS’s Yoshiro Tasaka also joined a panel discussion (it was a busy event for him!) alongside Ryan Kuo, Advisor at CDIB Capital Innovation; Allan Chou, CEO of 21st Financial Technology; LingLing Liu, Director at DCI Partners; and Masa Naito from Mizuho Capital. The discussion centered on the collaboration between Japanese and Taiwanese startup ecosystems.

SSS introduced the challenges faced by foreign companies when entering the Japanese market, such as regulatory barriers and cultural differences, as well as Shibuya’s initiatives to overcome these obstacles. One key initiative highlighted was the planned introduction of an Angel Investor Visa, aimed at enabling more global talent to do business in Shibuya.

Pitching at CEO Roundtable (Shibuya City)

CEO Roundtable

On the third day of Meet Taipei, SSS collaborated with Taiwanese incubator Garage+ to host the CEO Roundtable. Representing SSS, Sayaka Nakajima and Mari Matsuzaki delivered pitches on upcoming initiatives, including DIG Shibuya—a multimedia event that fuses technology and art—and the Angel Investor Visa project. They also presented Takeoff Tokyo, a global startup conference scheduled for March 2025 in Tokyo.

Networking sessions followed, facilitating discussions on new business collaborations between startups and investors from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and beyond. This event marked a significant step toward strengthening startup ecosystems between Shibuya and various Asian countries.

Speaking at AiSalon Taiwan (Photo: AiSalon Taiwan)

Participation in AiSalon Taiwan and Taiwanese Government Events

Prior to Meet Taipei, SSS also participated in AiSalon Taiwan, where they introduced Shibuya’s startup visa initiatives. The event featured discussions on the challenges and success stories of Taiwanese tech startups expanding into global markets, including Japan. Special attention was given to Appier’s IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2021, highlighting Japan’s market potential.

Additionally, at the 2024 International Networking Year-End Party hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, SSS showcased its initiatives alongside representatives from Tohoku University, CIC Tokyo, and the Fukuoka city government.

SSS will continue to strengthen its collaboration with Taiwan while supporting overseas startups entering the Japanese market. If you are a creative startup interested in expanding to Japan or collaborating with SSS, feel free to reach out—you don’t have to be from Taiwan!

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