Linas Jegelevicius
The name of Taiwania Capital, a leading VC firm in Taiwan investing in innovative startups in high-tech and biotech sectors with $465mn USD under management, has a strikingly identical ending as the names of the countries – Lithuania, Czechia and Slovakia – it will be targeting. The Baltic Times Magazine spoke to Mr. David Weng, the CEO of Taiwania Capital.
Is such a name just a coincidence?
It is a happy coincidence. Taiwania Capital is named after Taiwania cryptomerioides, a unique tree species that took its name from Taiwan in 1906. With heights reaching up to 90 meters, the Taiwania tree is one of the tallest tree species in Asia, and diverse and vibrant ecosystems can be found surrounding it. By linking technology and capital, Taiwania Capital aspires to also create a robust ecosystem in Taiwan that is rooted in entrepreneurial innovation.
What is so unique about Taiwania’s CEE Fund?
Entrusted by Taiwan’s National Development Council, Taiwania Capital has been managing the Central and Eastern Europe Investment Fund (the CEE Fund) since March 2022. The Fund is dedicated to making equity investments in Taiwan and CEE companies with the objective of buttressing Taiwan’s economic and investment ties with democratic allies in Europe.
Taiwania was founded in 2017 as Taiwan’s national investment arm backed by resources and support from the Taiwanese Government and private enterprises.
Can you please talk about the milestones Taiwania has already succeeded in achieving?
Taiwania Capital is investing in innovative startups in the high-tech and biotech sectors with $465mn USD under management. The firm currently manages a total of four funds, and the fifth is to be launched in May 2022. Over the past four-plus years, Taiwania Capital has invested in 48 companies globally. In that timeframe, five portfolio companies have gone public in the U.S. and Taiwan. More importantly, the firm has connected international innovative startups with Taiwan’s renowned ICT and biotech industries through co-investments, supply chain, and technological collaborations. Most of our U.S. portfolio companies have developed technology and business ties with Taiwanese industries.
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Read More: The bulk of Taiwania’s $200mn USD investment package will go to Lithuania, Czechia and Slovakia
