Taipei Bets on a ‘First Landing’ Model With InnoPad as It Courts Global Startups

Set to open in 2026, InnoPad Taipei reflects the city’s push to move beyond incubation and compete as a regional startup gateway

The Taipei City Government is preparing to launch InnoPad Taipei in mid-2026, a project officials describe as central to the city’s next phase of startup policy. Located in Nangang and spanning about 5,300 square metres, the hub is intended to serve as the first landing point for international startups looking to establish operations in Taiwan.

Rather than positioning InnoPad as a standalone co-working facility, Taipei is framing it as infrastructure for market entry. The project sits within the city’s “Three Arrows for Startups” policy, which prioritises funding access, talent development and market matchmaking—areas where foreign startups often struggle when entering a new jurisdiction.

Why Nangang matters

Nangang’s selection is not incidental. Over the past decade, the district has become one of Taipei’s most concentrated innovation corridors, supported by three intersecting rail lines and close proximity to Neihu Technology Park, Nangang Software Park and Taipei Bioinnovation Park.

City officials see this geography as critical to InnoPad’s role. By embedding the hub within an existing cluster of technology firms, research centres and exhibition venues, Taipei is aiming to shorten the distance between startups, corporate partners and potential customers.

A connector, not just a space

InnoPad Taipei is designed to act as a connector across the city’s startup ecosystem. The government plans to link the hub with:

• Local incubators and accelerators
• Corporate innovation and R&D teams
• International accelerator programmes and startup networks

The goal is to offer foreign founders a single entry point into Taipei’s entrepreneurial resource chain, rather than forcing them to navigate multiple agencies and programmes independently.

Designed for different stages of growth

Inside the facility, space will be divided into three functional zones to accommodate startups at different phases:

• Co-working areas for early-stage teams testing the market
• Independent offices for growing startups that need stability
• Meeting and co-creation spaces for investor discussions, Demo Days and cross-industry collaboration

To further lower barriers, startups signing a one-year lease will receive complimentary company registration services. International teams with a defined Taiwan entry plan will also be able to apply for residency support and hands-on consulting, a move aimed at reducing friction around regulation and incorporation.

Building a city-level accelerator network

Beyond physical infrastructure, InnoPad Taipei will host a network of accelerators, including both general-purpose and corporate-backed programmes. These are expected to provide mentoring, fundraising advice, technology integration support and pathways into overseas markets.

City officials describe this as a “startup growth acceleration chain,” aligning early-stage innovation with corporate demand and global expansion opportunities. The approach reflects a shift away from short-term incubation toward longer-term scaling support.

Positioning Taipei in a competitive region

The launch comes as cities across Asia compete to attract global founders amid tighter funding conditions. While Taipei already offers strengths in hardware, semiconductors and manufacturing, officials acknowledge that it must do more to position itself as a soft-landing base for international startups.

By combining infrastructure, policy coordination and global matchmaking under one roof, InnoPad Taipei is intended to address that gap—particularly for startups looking to use Taiwan as a base for Asia-Pacific expansion.

Conclusion

InnoPad Taipei signals a more mature phase of Taipei’s startup strategy, one focused less on creating new incubators and more on removing entry friction for global founders. Whether the hub succeeds will depend on execution—how effectively it connects startups to capital, partners and markets once the doors open in 2026.

For now, the project underscores Taipei’s ambition to move from being a strong local ecosystem to a recognised regional gateway in the global startup landscape.

Quick Takeaways

• New flagship hub: InnoPad Taipei is set to open in mid-2026 as Taipei’s main entry point for international startups.
• Policy-backed initiative: The hub is a core pillar of the “Three Arrows for Startups” policy, focusing on funding access, talent development and market matchmaking.
• Strategic location: Located in Nangang, InnoPad sits near major tech clusters and key transport links, strengthening connections between startups, corporates and investors.
• More than office space: InnoPad is designed as a connector across Taipei’s startup ecosystem, linking incubators, accelerators, corporate partners and global networks.
• Lower entry barriers: Startups signing one-year leases will receive free company registration support, while international teams can apply for residency and market-entry consulting.
• Regional ambition: The project reflects Taipei’s push to position itself as a startup-friendly gateway for Asia-Pacific expansion, not just a local innovation hub.