EP4-3 | Is Taiwan’s Startup Scene Going South? Inside Kaohsiung’s Emerging Founder Ecosystem

In this episode, we sit down with Arturs Vancans, founder of Second Space, to explore why he chose Kaohsiung to build his life and business, and what he is seeing as Southern Taiwan’s startup ecosystem evolves. When Arturs first arrived in Kaohsiung, the city was rarely seen as a destination for startup founders, particularly international entrepreneurs. But over the years, he has watched the ecosystem change, with more founders, startups, and ecosystem players looking beyond Taipei. Through Second Space, Arturs has had a front-row seat to that shift, building a community where entrepreneurs can work, connect, and build relationships in Southern Taiwan. We talk about what's driving founders to Kaohsiung, what kinds of startups are emerging there, and whether Taiwan’s much-discussed “going south” movement is really happening. We also explore what Kaohsiung still needs to become a startup destination in its own right, rather than simply an extension of Taipei. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why Arturs chose Kaohsiung rather than Taipei - What inspired him to build Second Space - How Kaohsiung’s startup ecosystem has changed over the years - Whether Taiwan’s startup ecosystem is really “going south” - What kinds of founders and startups are choosing Kaohsiung - What entrepreneurs are looking for when they come to Southern Taiwan - Whether Kaohsiung is developing a startup culture of its own - What needs to happen for Kaohsiung to become a startup destination in its own right - What success for Kaohsiung’s startup ecosystem could look like three years from now? **台灣的新創重心正往南部轉移？深入解析高雄崛起中的創業者生態圈** 在本集節目中，我們專訪了 Second Space 的創辦人 Arturs Vancans，一起聊聊他為何選擇在高雄落地生根並開拓事業，以及他親眼見證的南台灣新創生態演變。 當 Arturs 最初抵達高雄時，這座城市極少被視為創業者落腳的選擇，對國際創辦人來說更是如此。然而這些年來，他看見了環境的蛻變——越來越多創辦人、新創團隊與生態圈夥伴，開始將目光投向台北以外的地區。 透過創立 Second Space，Arturs 站在第一線見證了這場轉變，打造出一個讓創業者能在南台灣工作、交流並建立緊密連結的在地社群。 我們深入探討了吸引創辦人前往高雄的動力來源、當地正在嶄露頭角的新創類型，以及外界熱烈討論的「新創南向」是否真的落實。我們也共同思考：高雄若要成為一個具備獨立特色的新創重鎮，而非僅是台北資源的延伸，目前還缺少哪些關鍵拼圖？ **在本集節目中，你將會了解：** - Arturs 當初選擇高雄而非台北的原因 - 創立 Second Space 的初衷與靈感 - 高雄新創生態圈歷年來的轉變歷程 - 台灣的新創生態是否真正落實「向南發展」 - 選擇落腳高雄的創辦人特質與新創類型 - 創業者來到南台灣時所尋求的資源與環境 - 高雄是否正在孕育屬於自己的新創文化 - 高雄若要成為名副其實的創業首選聚落，還需要促成哪些關鍵改變 - 三年後，高雄新創生態圈的成功典範可能呈現何種面貌？ * * * 📍 **About Host: Paolo Joseph Lising** Senior Global Community Builder, Business Next Media Corp. 巨思媒體集團 #GlobalFounders #TaiwanStartup #StartupEcosystem 🌏 Helping foreign founders navigate Taiwan’s startup ecosystem by bringing together founders, investors, and innovators to share practical insights and support more global startups in Taiwan. 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolojoseph/ 📚 **Learn more about Taiwan’s startup ecosystem** 👉🏼 https://meetstartup.pse.is/4jhd5u 🚀 Stay connected with Taiwan–Silicon Valley innovation via the **Startup Island TAIWAN Silicon Valley Hub** **Website:** https://sv.startupisland.tw/ **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-island-taiwan-sv/ **Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/people/Startup-Island-Taiwan-Silicon-Valley-Hub/61586221303202/ Powered by Firstory Hosting