April 2007 Newsletter
Local News
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LED Association formed in Taipei
The government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute, along with LED manufacturers, formed the Taiwan Optoelectronics and Semiconductor Industries Association (TOSIA) with the aim of making Taiwan the leader in this high-technology sector.
More (China Post) >>
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IT industry growth to create 107,000 new positions
According to a recent government joint-agency report, high growth in the IT industry, particularly in the IC sector, will lead to a demand for 107,000 positions to be filled within the next three years.
More (China Post) >>
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Taiwan may invest in Israeli satellite
The government of Taiwan plans to invest USD $300 million in the purchase or lease of a surveillance satellite, and may select the Israeli company ImageSat, which makes the Earth Remote Observation Satellite (EROS). Currently, Taiwan uses a French-made satellite, EDAS, which has been in use since 2004.
More (YNet News) >>
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Hon Hai to invest in laptop battery pack manufacturer
Hon Hai Precision Industry, the world's largest electronics parts maker, intends to purchase a 8.89 percent stake in Simplo Technology Co., the world's second largest maker of battery packs, for USD $43.2 million.
More (Taipei Times) >>
Foreign Investors
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Intel Capital invests in Powertech
Intel Capital, the venture capital arm of Intel Corp., agreed to invest in Hsinchu-based Powertech, the world's largest memory chip packager.
More (Reuters) >>
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Industrial Bank of Taiwan (IBT) considers sale of stake to foreign investors
IBT, one of Taiwan's top three industrial banks, is considering selling up to a 30 percent stake to foreign investors in exchange for added value and know-how. At the same time, IBT is also looking to raise an additional USD $100 million for its venture capital arm.
More (Taipei Times) >>
Industry News
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High-tech to clean-tech: Silicon Valley looks towards alternative energy
In the first three quarters of 2006, venture capital firms invested USD $474 million in a wide-variety of energy startups, similar to the amount put into biotechnology and telecommunications, and by far the fastest growing area of interest. Many successful internet-startup entrepreneurs are also moving into this sector, and besides profit motive, are often inspired by environmental concerns and energy independence.
More (New York Times) >>
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NVCA Study: Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute significantly to job creation and innovation
According to a study commissioned by the U.S.-based National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), immigrant entrepreneurs contribute significantly to job creation, innovation and market value in the U.S.. Over the past 15 years immigrants have started over 25 percent of publicly-traded, venture-backed companies (especially the area of high technology) in the U.S., representing USD $500 billion in market value. The study’s findings suggest that current restrictions on skilled immigrants are likely to result in less job creation and innovation.
More (NVCA) >>
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NVCA Study: Venture-backed company growth outperforms counterparts in all industry sectors
According to a study conducted by Global Insight and issued by the NVCA, U.S. companies that received venture capital from 1970-2005 accounted for 10 million jobs and $2.1 trillion in revenues in 2005. These figures represent 9 percent of the total private sector work force and 16.6 percent of total U.S. GDP. Across industries, venture-backed companies outperformed non-ventured companies between 2003 and 2005 with a 4.1. percent compound annual growth rate in jobs (versus 1.2 percent) and 11.3 percent compound growth rate in sales (versus 8.5 percent). Some best known venture-backed companies include FedEx, Intel, Cisco, Starbucks, Genentech, Google, eBay, Apple and Home Depot. The study's findings reveal that venture capital is a critical part of U.S. economic growth, and emphasize the importance of supporting the venture capital industry.
More (NVCA) >>
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