Taiwan tech startups feature at global startup event in France

Paris, June 11 (CNA) Taiwan is showcasing its tech and startup strengths at Viva Technology 2025, as the Taiwan Pavilion opened its exhibition Wednesday in Paris.

The Taiwan Pavilion is featuring 29 tech startup companies that can "solve problems in 34 industrial fields," said Lin Der-sheng (林德生), head of the Taiwanese delegation at the event and a department director at Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council.

Participants at the Taiwan Pavilion's opening ceremony Wednesday afternoon included French Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology Clara Chappaz, former Minister of Higher Education Sylvie Retailleau, VivaTech Head of Global Partnerships and Public Affairs Julie Lamandé, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Chairman Young Liu (劉揚偉), and representatives from the United States, Germany, Japan, Switzerland and Brazil.

Lamandé said Taiwan provides significant "inspiration" to France and Europe in the tech ecosystem, expressing hope for collaboration between France and Taiwan's semiconductor industry.

"Taiwan is clearly leading in the artificial intelligence field, especially in deep tech and chipmaking," she said, adding that AI is the focus of this year's event.

Retailleau told CNA that Taiwan and France have a lot of potential for shared momentum and complementarity, as "Taiwan is strong with experience in business collaboration and technology, while France has advantages in research and higher education talent."

Meanwhile, Chappaz expressed willingness to deepen collaborations with Hon Hai, after the company announced memorandums of understanding with France's Thales Group and Radiall in May.

Also on Wednesday, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳), described by French media as "the new global tech leader from Taiwan in a leather jacket," delivered a keynote speech at the event. It drew such a large crowd that many were unable to enter the venue.

Viva Technology, founded in 2016, is Europe's largest startup and tech event and "where business meets innovation," according to its official website.

This year, more than 13,500 startups, 3,500 exhibitors, 3,200 investors and 165,000 participants will attend the event, which is being held in Paris from June 11-14, according to the website.