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Entrepreneurship

Meet the immigrants behind Meinong’s multimillion farming sector

The lion’s share of water snowflake that lands on our dinner tables stems from Kaohsiung’s Meinong District. And there, most of the green vegetable is cultivated by Vietnamese immigrants. If it wasn’t for the hard-working members of this community, snowflake farming would most likely not be viable.

Reviving Taiwan’s once thriving salt culture

Sun-dried salt was once a flourishing bedrock of coastal Chiayi County culture that eventually disappeared. But some of the area’s salt fields are being reborn. CommonWealth magazine takes a closer look at this revival, and the person behind it.

Advantech bags 70% of India's metro orders with the help of local talent

As the Indian government starts investing heavily in infrastructure, Taiwan’s Advantech—which has worked in India for two decades, and saw its local branch increase its revenue by 60% in 2022—was able to lock down 70% of the orders for industrial equipment used in India’s expanding metro systems. The key? Advantech’s 100-strong all-Indian local team.

Venture capitalist Tim Draper: China’s not a free market anymore

In his exclusive interview with CommonWealth Magazine, Tim Draper, one of the earliest investors of Tesla and SpaceX, shared why his company stopped investing in China before anyone else did.

How GagaOOLala became the world's biggest LGBTQ streaming platform

An LGBTQ-themed miniseries that took three major categories at the Golden Bell Awards found popularity abroad and an audience back home. The figure behind it all is a former U.S. lawyer from Taiwan.

Meet the young Taiwanese revolutionizing plant-based meat

Thanks to the new type of plant-based fat, Huang Jen-Yu has raised over USD 4 million in funds, signed deals with major international food companies, and featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Now, he’s collaborating with Louisa Coffee, a Taiwanese coffeehouse chain. How did his ‘Future Meat’ burgers become bestsellers?

Meet JustKitchen, Taiwan’s first cloud kitchen startup to go public in Canada

Taiwanese startup JustKitchen utilizes technology to disrupt restaurant industry supply chain. At the CommonWealth Economic Forum, Liu Yang, Chief Strategy Officer at JustKitchen, shared the startup’s business strategy.

How are these future leaders making Taiwan better?

On the occasion of CommonWealth’s 40th anniversary, we selected 20 leaders of the future. Some describe themselves as angry youths, promoting reform, while others are taking on the international arena. How are they exerting their influence and civic spirit in their respective fields?

Taiwan Startups Develop Plastics-Free Products

Several local startups are developing products aimed at reducing the massive amount of single-use plastics consumed on the island.

Entrepreneurship
Forget Pork

Pigs Can Generate Multi Million Revenue from Cosmetics and Biomedicals

Pigs can provide much more than just schnitzel and bratwurst. In fact, nearly every part of a pig can be used: Pig skin is used for cosmetic injections, pig bile is found in shampoo, and pig cornea transplants can help humans regain their eyesight. Yet, in the current controversy over the imports of U.S. pork containing the feed additive ractopamine, this lucrative side of pig farming has been overlooked.

Entrepreneurship
Her Biggest Challenge: Fractures in the Family Business

Olivia Wu Takes Over Shin Kong’s Financial Holding Empire

Eugene Wu (吳東進), founder of Shin Kong Financial Holding Co. Ltd. (新光金控), has unexpectedly stepped down as chairman. His second daughter, Olivia Wu (吳欣儒), has been appointed president. She has a science degree under her belt and is comfortable with a low-profile demeanor. Now, it has fallen upon her to take on her father’s mantle. Her credentials will be closely scrutinized. Not only must she govern the company, she also needs to find a way to quell the family quarrels.

Pegatron Chief TH Tung: Corporations Shouldn’t Resort to Layoffs

Sitting down for an exclusive interview with CommonWealth against the background of the novel coronavirus pandemic potentially easing, Tung noted that, despite prominent cities such as Paris, London and Tokyo having lifted lockdowns, consumption would not recover over the short term. Tung also expressed dismay and concern over the widening wealth gap in Taiwan.

Online School Hahow Gathers 220K Students from around The World

Driven by a lack of access to educational resources, Arnold Chiang co-founded the online learning platform Hahow, which now caters to 220,000 students. What has led to the learning website’s growing popularity? 

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

Almost All Businesses Expect to Face a Crisis - How They Deal with Them Really Counts

PwC asked more than 2,000 companies about the worst crises they’d experienced for its Global Crisis Survey 2019. Here are five things we’ve learned from their answers.

Why Are Hong Kong Startups Setting Up Shop In Taiwan?

As protests against the proposed extradition bill continued to heat up in Hong Kong, Taiwan’s largest startup accelerator, AppWorks, noticed a steep rise in the number of applications from Hong Kong, accounting for nearly one out of every three teams.

Yifang Fruit Tea - He Lost NT$ 160M to Build Taiwan’s Top Tea Brand 

This young entrepreneur spent only eight years to go from operating a night market stall to acquiring a personal net worth of over a hundred million Taiwan dollars. Then he lost it all in less than a year. In the face of adversity, Ko Tze-kai (柯梓凱) discarded his impractical sense of self-assurance and started again from scratch. He returned to his humble beginnings as a tea vender—a skill he knew he could rely on—and dramatically leapt from the lowest point of his career to brand new heights.  

Entrepreneurship
How She Leads 360,000 Employees through Two Major Transitions

The queen of the world’s largest contract footwear manufacturer

The Pou Chen Group, Taiwan’s leading footwear contract manufacturer, marks its 50th anniversary this year. Tsai Pei-chun, a daughter of group founder Tsai Chi-jui, has been leading the family enterprise as chief executive officer for the past seven years, spearheading its shift to a younger, more professional management.

Entrepreneurship
'The Troupe of Daredevils'

Formosa Circus Art Puts Taiwan on the Global Stage

Human pyramids, aerial handstands, diabolo performances. These are not the tricks of traditional street performers, but the world-famous Formosa Circus Art (FOCA). These young daredevils not only found their calling by joining the circus, they won top billing for Taiwan on the international stage.

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

Turning Coffee Grounds into Palm Oil Alternatives

Palm oil has been blamed for the destruction of rainforests, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia. This start-up is working on a sustainable alternative made from coffee waste.

Entrepreneurship
Cayman Islands Moves to Tax Letterbox Companies

Taiwanese Entrepreneurs on Edge

With a population of just 45,000, the Caymans Islands house more than 100,000 Taiwanese letterbox companies with tax-free status. However, earlier this year, the tax haven enacted “economic substance” legislation that requires offshore companies to prove that they actually derive their income from business in the island territory or pay tax.

Entrepreneurship
Life-changing Bout with Cancer

LCD Panel Boss Takes Aim at Air Pollution

A physical checkup three years ago changed the life of Innolux honorary chairman Tuan Hsing-chien, who had just retired at the time. He was told he had lung cancer, and the diagnosis spurred him to take up the charge against air pollution in Taiwan.

Entrepreneurship
Recycle and Recreate the Rhythmic Flow

What Makes This Glass Recycling Plant Special?

Says design guru Aaron Nieh (聶永真), “An important reason why Spring Pool is more than a traditional industry, but also a famous contemporary brand, is because it melds environmental protection with craftsmanship and positions itself as a sustainable industry that will survive far into the future.”

Entrepreneurship
The Leather Throne

How a Taiwanese Company in Vietnam Supplies 70% of Leather Used By Coach

The Fulin Plastic Industry Company(富林塑膠) has enjoyed double-digit growth and good profits for many consecutive years. In 2018, it returned to Taiwan to be listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. It is the biggest PVC manufacturer in Vietnam. They make everything from scooter seats to car interiors; they’ve even secured a spot in the supply chains of posh handbag brands such as Coach and Michael Kors. How do they do it?

Top Employers Voted by Workers

What does it take to be voted the best employer in the world? Maybe it is allowing staff to take a nap during the working day, as Google does at its London office.

Entrepreneurship
Globe Telecom President Ernest Cu

Traditional Telecom Firm Escapes SMS Price War by Building Trendy Brand

As other Philippine telecom service providers were still embroiled in a cut-throat price war for text messaging services, Globe Telecom had already transitioned to more innovative business models, increasing customer loyalty through free telephony services, enhancing the customer experience through guided tours and creating its own content. On the sidelines of the CommonWealth Economic Forum, Globe Telecom President Ernest Cu shared his views on leading his team and embracing a digital lifestyle.

Entrepreneurship
CommonWealth Magazine Digital Transformation Report

Building a Digitally Literate Staff

Digital innovation within CommonWealth Magazine meant requiring print-oriented workers to take on more tasks. How did CommonWealth get people lacking in digital skills up to speed to take on the rapidly changing media environment?

Entrepreneurship
IMD World Talent Ranking 2018

Countries Prepared for the Future Workplace

Western Europe is the leading hub for the world’s talent, outperforming other regions in attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled employees. This is according to the recently released IMD World Talent Ranking 2018 in which Western European nations fill nine of the top 10 places.

Entrepreneurship
CommonWealth Magazine

Inside a Digital Transformation

The digital economy has upended every industry, and the media is no exception. But while international media outlets have been overhauling their operations to adapt to the changing world, the business models of most Taiwanese media organizations have remained stagnant. Even specialized financial and business news companies that report daily on how companies are transforming their operations have made few advances in their own operations.

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

These are the Top Risks for Doing Business around the World

When it comes to doing business, you may be trapped and lose control if you're not careful enough.

Entrepreneurship
Good Things Take Time

Patience Turns Troubled Youth Around

At 24, Jeffery Lin returned to his hometown of Sanxia in New Taipei City to save his grandfather’s soap factory from going under. Together with a few friends, Lin established a new soap brand that generated sales worth NT$50 million in four years. Despite his commercial success and a bright future, Lin decided to call it quits and test uncharted waters. With borrowed money, he launched a community-based social enterprise.

Entrepreneurship
Global Internship Facilitation of Taiwan

Let GIFT Help the Youth in Taiwan Find a New Career Path

With 430 corporate partners in 28 industries, this platform offers internship opportunities in 45 countries; over 309 students have interned in countries such as Taiwan, Italy, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India. We have also attracted foreign students, from countries like Italy, Germany, and Spain, to intern in Taiwan.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan’s Blue Ocean Shift

Debunking the ‘Top-down’ Model

Some Taiwanese executives have embraced a “blue ocean” strategy of seeking out new markets rather than getting stuck in fiercely competitive “red ocean” markets. CommonWealth Magazine helped two of them ask the scholars behind the concept questions on how it can be better applied.

Opinion: How Western Entrepreneurs Can Make It in Asia

An initial question for a wannabe-Western entrepreneur would be: "Where in Asia do I want to build a business?" A careless answer could be whichever economy is growing the fastest. However, a more thoughtful approach would consider how fast an economy is expanding and in what way.

Entrepreneurship
WEF ASEAN 2018 Summit

These Are Some of Asia’s Most Creative Start-Ups

The World Economic Forum has selected 80 winning start-ups to take part in its ASEAN 2018 summit as part of a competition to find the region’s most innovative new companies.

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

7 Key Disruptions that Will Change the Way You Work

"It's been estimated that 57% of all jobs are at risk of being automated within the next 5 years." Here are 7 key disruptions that most likely will change the way people work in the future.

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

Generation Z Will Outnumber Millennials by 2019

According to the latest research from Bloomberg, Generation Z will outnumber Millenials for the very first time by next year. Gen. Z, born and raised in the digital age, has no experience in pre-digital life. The rise of Gen. Z might shift business paradigms for companies that want to engage with this new demographic.

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

The Second Home to 'Unicorns' Is in Asia

Although Silicon Valley is still in the top spot for breeding 'Unicorns', startup companies that are valued at more than $1 billion, some Asian cities are hot on their heels. Beijing and Shanghai have led the way in Asia, ramping up to compete.

Entrepreneurship
Everest Textile Co. Ltd.

Taiwanese and Local Textile Mills ‘Make Stone Soup’ Together in Forest City, North Carolina

Taiwan’s textile and apparel industry is taking advantage of new opportunities, since manufacturing in the United States cuts down on costly shipping time, smaller brands gain in popularity, and the global division of labor is reshuffled yet again.

Entrepreneurship
Naturally Plus Feedback Mechanism Forges a Healthier Society

Betterment for All Through Individual Opportunity

The prominent Japanese Enterprise Naturally Plus elected to establish its first overseas base in Taiwan in 2004. That decision was largely made out of appreciation for the proactive, hard-working nature of the Taiwanese people, starting with their energy and capacity for getting things done, and extending to advantages like their knack for planning and problem-solving, along with Taiwan’s frequent commercial interactions with other countries. And Taiwan did not disappoint, as Naturally Plus has gone on to record year after year of revenue growth in Taiwan. The Taiwan branch also established a new precedent, holding a leadership conference at the Sydney Opera House for over 1,700 partners, making numerous miracles happen and paving the way with its extraordinary energy for Naturally Plus to expand business around the world.

Entrepreneurship
From ICs to Biotechnology

MIT Professor-Entrepreneur Leading a Biological Revolution

Timothy Lu went to the United States to study electrical engineering, seemingly set to follow his father in the electronics industry. But he decided to follow a different path, and the MIT professor is now recognized as one of Boston’s top entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship
Now Comes the Hard Part for Terry Gou

Foxconn Breaks Ground in Wisconsin

U.S. President Donald Trump was in Wisconsin to celebrate the groundbreaking of Foxconn’s new science and technology park. But as the market evolves and supply chain realities emerge, can the project really deliver on its promise?

Entrepreneurship
Editor's Pick

TSMC during and after Morris Chang's Leadership

When Morris Chang returned as CEO in 2009, his first major decision was to double TSMC's capital cost to 5.9 billion US dollars, leading TSMC to create the 28-nanometer process miracle, to snatch away 80% of the market, and to win over Globalfoundries. With Chang at the helm, TSMC's stock price increased by 237% with a market value increase of NT 3.3 trillion. Yet, after seven years of legendary leadership, he vowed to make a clean break with TSMC in June. What will TSMC's future be without Morris Chang?

Entrepreneurship
Smartphone Market

Xiaomi Prevails over Samsung in India

Four years ago, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi entered the Indian market, where it went up against the seemingly impenetrable market leader Samsung. In just two years, it became the leading smartphone brand in India, commanding over 30 percent market share. What lessons does Xiaomi’s sweeping success have for Taiwanese firms?

Entrepreneurship
The Only Taiwanese Survivor in China’s Eat or Be Eaten Startup World

How to Build the Biggest Cross-strait Event Platform

In the startup scene, advice is typically given to avoid creating a platform because conditions are harsh and survival prospects slim. But John Sie, a former Hon Hai/Foxconn Technology Group employee, along with a fellow student founded software-as-a-service platform Accupass. Their startup not only managed to survive lethal competition in China where Internet startups go bust in droves, but Acupass even evolved into the biggest cross-strait event-hosting platform. How did Sie achieve this formidable feat?

Entrepreneurship
Historically High Profitability

Synnex Technology Leverages ‘Deep Cultivation’ for Explosive Growth

Leveraging a “deep cultivation” strategic approach, Synnex Technology International has weathered difficult times to achieve impressive growth in profitability.

Entrepreneurship
Mithril Founder Jeffrey Huang

From Hip Hop Icon to Tech Entrepreneur

At the age of 20, Jeffrey Huang was the oldest member of L.A. Boyz, a hugely popular trio that took Taiwan by storm with their American-style hip hop, rap, and dancing. Now in his mid-40s, Huang has become a serial crossover business entrepreneur. From performing on stage to founding businesses behind the scenes, how has Huang adjusted?

Entrepreneurship
A Rising Coffee Empire

Louisa Coffee Takes Aim at Starbucks

Launched as a small coffee-to-go store, Louisa Coffee has since evolved into one of the nation’s major coffee chains, looking to take on market leaders Starbucks and 85C. How did founder and General Manager Chris Huang turn his passion for coffee into a successful business?

Entrepreneurship
Tokyo Motorcycle Show

Kymco Announces New Battery System for E-scooters

At the just-concluded Tokyo Motorcycle Show, Taiwan’s largest conventional scooter maker Kwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd (Kymco) premiered its new battery technology eco-system, called Ionex. With what it calls its “game-changing” new system, Kymco hopes to sell e-scooters made in Taiwan around the globe.

17 Media Wants to Dominate Your Screen

The Taiwanese live streaming platform "17 Media,” co-founded by Taiwanese rapper Jeffrey Huang of the hip-hop group Machi, successfully entered Japan last year and is now looking to South Korea and the United States. What is the secret to standing out in the hotly contested live streaming market?

LQ: The Key to Success and Respect

In Davos, Alibaba founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma spoke openly and at length about some of the key challenges facing the world, delivering a stream of perspectives and guidance.

The Gap between AI-Haves and AI-Have-Nots Will Be Larger

He is in charge of the Microsoft search engine Bing, personal assistant Cotana and cloud platform Azure. He comes from Taiwan and is now CVP of Microsoft AI Core and CTO of the AI and Research Division. He is David Ku, the person in charge of integrating AI function into Microsoft’s essential products.

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

3 Things Every Company Can Do to Benefit from Digital Disruption

Digital disruption brought by critical innovation reshapes the whole landscape of various industries, eliminating companies that fail to adapt. How do companies survive and succeed in these events?

Entrepreneurship
Mining Gold in Cyberspace

The Explosion of the Data Economy

In the 20th century, having oil meant having power and influence. In the 21st century, data has supplanted oil as the resource of choice. But having it isn’t enough. What is it that is separating the winners from the also-rans in this data-driven age?

Entrepreneurship
World Economic Forum

Is the Age of Management Over?

Facing the challenges of modern economy, trying to control people in a corporate environment can be counterproductive.

The One Mistake That Can Destroy Startups

Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, is ranked second on Fortune’s list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. Here he shares his insight on management and also points out a crucial mistake that startups should be avoiding.

Why Being Too Intelligent Might Make You a Worse Leader?

People often regard leaders as the smartest or most intelligent, however, researchers recently found that highly intelligent leaders have struggled to adopt the best leadership practices.

Entrepreneurship
Unicorn CEO Johnny Shih

Lesson Learned: Talent Trumps All

Like many young Taiwanese entrepreneurs, this CEO of a men’s skin care company had to break out of his shell to find his way and now hopes to create an environment in Taiwan that values talent more highly and dares to reach out into the world.

Entrepreneurship
Meet Horace Luke – Founder of Gogoro

'Young People Can, They Just Don’t Have The Stage'

Born in Hong Kong, raised in USA, the founder of the most potential Taiwan-based unicorn startup tells you how he led his team to the global stage.

Entrepreneurship
2017 Gurus Forum In Taiwan

The Secrets Of The Hidden Champions

What can we learn from the Hidden Champions? What potential danger is threatening Taiwan in the global competition? See how professor Hermann Simon, elected as the most influential management thinker after Peter Drucker, reveals the secrets of the Hidden Champions in 2017 Gurus Forum in Taiwan.

The World's Best Employers in 2017

Google’s parent company Alphabet is the best employer in the world, according to Statista and Forbes data

Entrepreneurship
Home-care Robots and Traffic-beating Apps

The Brave New World of AI

AI has the power to benefit all of humanity - but only if we use it well.

Entrepreneurship
Middle East and North Africa

These Startups Are Changing the Arab World

Startups and young entrepreneurs are one of the key factors to improve the state of the Arab world and the future ahead of them can be full of potential. How do they find the way to success amid the region's current geopolitical conflicts?

Entrepreneurship
Taiwanese Board Games

The Gamer Generation Changing the World through Entertainment

Do we have to be dead serious to change the world? A group of young people in Taiwan are convinced there are fun, entertaining ways to make the world a better place.

Entrepreneurship
Ta Chyuan Treasure Pig Industry Co., Ltd.

Raising Pigs with a Good Conscience

Ta Chyuan Treasure Pig Industry is showing that pork from humanely raised pigs can be a commercial hit while offering a “safe” choice in a market that has been plagued by food safety scandals.

Entrepreneurship
Lettuce Empire

Crafting a Winning ‘Food Safety’ Formula

The Taiwan Lettuce Village’s modern practices are redefining how to grow, harvest and store fresh produce. After conquering Taiwan, the company’s iceberg lettuce is now making waves on the global stage.

Keeping Taiwanese Pop Culture Alive

At a time when China is gaining dominance in Chinese-language pop culture, KKBox has chosen a new approach, launching cultural and entertainment platform “KKFarm” to give fledgling Taiwanese cultural and creative firms the chance to flourish.

Entrepreneurship
The PRD Megacity

Taiwanese Startups Flock to Pearl River Delta

The Pearl River Delta, which outshines other areas in terms of startup support, is luring young Taiwanese entrepreneurs with attractive incentives.

Entrepreneurship
Taking on Hollywood

China Dreaming Big on Movies

From buying Hollywood talent and acquiring movie theater chains around the world to protecting its home market, China is intent on becoming a powerhouse in the global film and video industry and setting the agenda on video content.

Entrepreneurship
New Media “Luogic”

Raking in NT$1.3B with Online Talkshow

Even with open curricula and Internet-based direct broadcasts available in China, a paid subscription knowledge platform has attracted 1.5 million users and garnered NT$1.3 billion in annual revenue. How has it done it?

Entrepreneurship
Monetizing Knowledge

The Next Internet Craze

Live streaming has not provided the payout many anticipated, but a new model has emerged in China that could fill in the gap – paid subscription knowledge sharing platforms. How have they been able to rise to prominence?

Entrepreneurship
Simon Sinek

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Leader?

Each day our world is constantly changing and becomes more competitive. Good leaders brings their teams toward progress and success. However, what does it really mean to be a good leader? World-class author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek might have an answer.

Entrepreneurship
Golden Service Awards : Pinkoi

Selling Creativity, Custom Recommendations

Why is business booming for Pinkoi in countries around the world? Using a recommendations function and analyzing consumer preferences to target their needs, the company acts as a bridge between supply and demand to successfully navigate the intense competition of the e-commerce space.

Entrepreneurship
Clayton Christensen

Breaking the Trap of Ultimate Failures

Clayton Christensen, who is a professor of Harvard Business School and known for his famous theory of "disruptive innovation", came to give a speech in Taipei under the joint invitation from CommonWealth Magazine and NTHU.

Entrepreneurship
Alex Osterwalder

The Essence and Strategy of Innovation

Starting a business is easy, but continuing to make profits is really difficult. Many enterprise operators are afraid of innovations, because once the existing business model is altered, it will be hard to expect profits. Then, what is the key and strategy for companies to innovate successfully?

Entrepreneurship
Ford Lio Ho Motor Company

Can NT$4B Buy a Comeback?

Its days as Taiwan’s automobile sales leader long past, Ford Lio Ho is now investing NT$4 billion in manufacturing upgrades. Can these efforts bring back the glory days?

Entrepreneurship
Jane Chi, chair of Chaheng Precision

The Heroine of Taiwan’s Aviation Industry

Growing up, she dreamt of becoming a knight in shining armor defending the weak and downtrodden. As an adult, she worked to save mold maker Chaheng Precision Co. Ltd. from bankruptcy, transforming the conventional company into a Tier-1 supplier for the world’s leading aircraft makers.

Entrepreneurship
Turning ‘Fans’ into ‘Customers’

Marketing in an Age of Virtual Echo Chambers

Internet technology has facilitated the rise of social media “tribes” that promote their own ideas or interests through highly insulated “echo chambers.” How can marketers penetrate these social media groups to turn “fans” into customers?

Entrepreneurship
Ecological Aquaculture

Giving Our Seas a Break

A milkfish farm in Kaohsiung has found success with ecological aquaculture, using mostly all-natural feed. Its experience has raised hopes that eco-friendly fish farming can maintain supplies while allowing our exhausted seas to catch their breath.

Entrepreneurship
Surround Sound from a Mobile Phone

Tricking the Brain into Hearing in Stereo

Four young people from Taiwan have created in the U.S. a breakthrough sound technology for producing stereo sound using a mobile phone, all without external speakers. Here's how they've done it.

Entrepreneurship
Eslite Group Vice Chairman Mercy Wu

A Chinese Brand Formed by Shared Values

Mercy Wu, vice chairman of the Eslite Group, shares Eslite’s approach to adapting to change in some cases and holding on in others.

Entrepreneurship
Rolling Out

Figure Out Your Own World View

Four young women have designed a mission card that tasks people to summon the courage to get to know the world on a deeper level through travel.

Terry Gou Invests in Bio-med Devices

Hon Hai founder and chairman Terry Gou has donated huge sums for the establishment of a cancer treatment center as the company moves into the biomedical engineering industry.

Entrepreneurship
Kai-fu Lee :

Old KPI Models Stifle Innovation

Venture capitalist Kai-fu Lee believes the new wave of startups by young entrepreneurs will disrupt established business models, and he argues in this interview that the power of youth should be feared and respected.

Entrepreneurship
Alibaba CEO Jack Ma:

Retail Can't Even Fight Back

In this interview with TV anchor Sally Wu, China's biggest e-commerce mogul shares his vision of the future where the world belongs to the little guy.

Entrepreneurship
CID Group's Steven Chang

Integration: Taiwan's Next Big Opportunity

Steven Chang's CID Group has been Taiwan's most successful venture capital firm for nearly a decade. As he looks to the future, what are his latest strategies, and what investment opportunities does he see in Taiwan?

Entrepreneurship
KKBox Founder Chris Lin

Entrepreneurship Decoded

What are the secrets of Taiwan's new-generation entrepreneurs? Management professor Ji-Ren Lee launches a dialogue with online music provider Chris Lin, to unravel the enigma of startup success.

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship Survey

Kick-starting the Dream

Nearly three out of four Taiwanese want to start their own business. But how does ambition differ from reality? CommonWealth Magazine compares the expectations of the public with the experiences of ten top entrepreneurs.

Kneading Out Killer Business

Is baking only for dropouts? Taking part in international competitions, pursuing apprenticeships abroad and prizing innovation, Taiwan's new generation of bread makers is putting creativity to work.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Future Leaders

Building Their Own Stages to Shine On

The future belongs to those who create their own opportunities. CommonWealth Magazine looks at some of the future leaders who will reshape Taiwan in the years to come.

Entrepreneurship
Triumph Taiwan

Beating the Heat with Cool Textiles

Using a groundbreaking new cooling fabric, an international undergarment brand has unveiled a new collection that's completely Made in Taiwan – from materials to R&D to production to international marketing.

Entrepreneurship
Indonesian Magnate Mochtar Riady:

'When Everyone Gets Out, I Go In'

This prominent ethnic Chinese Indonesian tycoon has written the book on the art of mixing business and politics. How exactly has he created his legend?

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Recycling Industry

Profits Mount for Green Giants

Newly ascendant recycling businesses are no longer simply selling scrap, but extracting prized materials like gold, in the process becoming one of the stronger concept stocks bucking the downturn.

On Top of the e-Commerce World

Jack Ma's Alibaba.com helps 45 millions SMEs sell their goods in the global marketplace. Now he wants to help SMEs take their businesses even further.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Most Admired Entrepreneurs

Barry Lam's Star on the Rise

CommonWealth Magazine's list of Taiwan's 10 "Most Admired Entrepreneurs" has seen its biggest upheaval in 15 years after the country's legendary “god of management” passed away.

Entrepreneurship
Tung Ho Steel

A Dozen Years Forging a Successor

In this exclusive interview, Tung Ho president Earle Ho and his son Henry discuss the challenges of leadership succession, and the pluses and minuses of an owner serving as CEO.

Entrepreneurship
TSMC's Morris Chang:

I'm Willing to Start from Scratch

Morris Chang has returned to the helm of TSMC. In this exclusive interview, he ponders the questions on everyone's mind: How will this veteran executive stabilize the company and help it surmount barriers to continued growth?

From Lighting to Delighting

Embracing the irreversible transition from incandescent light bulbs to LEDs, Philips secured itself an excellent position by buying up a number of leading players in the lighting industry.

Lighting Applications – The Final Battleground

The venerable century-old institution that got its start in incandescent light bulbs is plunging into the new era of LED lighting. Using a clever joint venture model, OSRAM is deploying around the globe.

Entrepreneurship
Sophia Tong

Pollinating B&Q with IBM Concepts

Former IBM general manager Sophia Tong is one of a new wave of executives taking on new challenges. How will she transfer her IBM experience to a new industry and what impact can she have?

A 'Jack-of-all-Trades' Wins Over Any Customer

With an organizational style where everyone is a jack-of-all-trades, Taipei Inn Group vice general manager David Wei has conjured an occupancy-rate miracle.

Entrepreneurship
The Power of Intelligence

Senao: Master of Half the Handset Market

Meticulous intelligence on retail sales, inventory, and product maintenance have allowed cell phone vendor Senao to cut costs, get a clear picture of consumer preferences, and become Taiwan's largest handset distributor.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Young Niche Entrepreneurs

Red on Tree: Jam with a Taiwanese Accent

In their quest to make jam, three 20-somethings were determined to use locally grown fruit not really suitable for the task, and ultimately created amazing new flavors.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Young Niche Entrepreneurs

Shokay: Yak Hair Goes to Paris

Two young women with a dream of helping impoverished communities have turned yak hair from western China into a luxury fabric and provided herdsmen in the area with a sustainable income.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Young Niche Entrepreneurs

Eztable: Making a Dime on Dining Reservations

Five food-loving young people are making money by matching hungry diners online with restaurants looking for guests. Even five-star hotels are paying for their services.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Young Niche Entrepreneurs

Pinzaan: Designer Chair Makes Web Buzz

Entrepreneurship
Fubon Group

The Art of Expanding during a Downturn

Often dismissed as overly conservative, Fubon now stands out for daring to expand when others contract, becoming the first Taiwanese financial institution to set up shop in China.

Entrepreneurship
D-Link Systems Inc.

Turning Third World Soil into Solid Gold

While most Taiwanese companies are focused solely on the U.S., Europe and China, D-Link has been intensively cultivating Third World markets. What is their singular strategy for working alchemy in the wilderness?

Entrepreneurship
Wang Yung-ching

A Life Ends, the Legend Lives On

"Nothing is easy in this world, but nothing is impossible."– Wang Yung-ching. Formosa Plastics Group founder and prominent Taiwanese businessman Wang Yung-ching has passed away. The familiar figure in the perfectly ironed dark blue suits with the straight back, gaunt face, slightly protruding ears and alert eyes has left this world.

Entrepreneurship
Innovation and Resolve

Taiwan's Most Admired Entrepreneurs

The ranks of Taiwan's top ten most respected business leaders are filled with familiar faces this year – legends of industry sharing certain qualities that have led to great success.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Eco-friendly Industry

Green Is Gold

For Taiwan's top conglomerates, green industry is rapidly becoming the new cash cow. No longer on the fringe, environmental protection is now a critical consideration impacting sales and brand image.

Gearing Up for a Global Battle

A dying brand six years ago, Acer is on the rebound with a vengeance. What strategies have made it the world's No. 2 in notebook PCs and No. 3 in desktops?

Entrepreneurship
Fubon Land Development

A Dual Strategy's Quiet Success

At a time when expectations for Taiwan's housing market are sky high, Fubon Land is sitting on the sidelines, remaining faithful to a strategy that has delivered results.

Entrepreneurship
Government R&D Aids Private Enterprise

The Aroma Returns to Yuchih Tea

Researchers at a government-run tea farm in central Taiwan are using a long-forgotten variety of black tea to revive a farming town's former glory.

Entrepreneurship
Citizen Economy on the Rise

Modern Management Milks an Agro Cash Cow

Armed with just a middle school education, Lee Chuan-tian applies business management models and automated cultivation to provide livelihoods for more than 200.

Entrepreneurship
Citizen Economy on the Rise

Fallow Fields Yield Organic Gold

With the latest inventory efficiency system and an illiterate management approach, Tenha Organic Farm is giving new hope to out-of-work elderly farmers.

Entrepreneurship
Citizen Economy on the Rise

Flowers in the Badlands

In rural Neimen Township, one cooperative is soaring on exports of flaming red flamingo lilies, and offering alternative employment to an erstwhile hog heaven

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Breakfast Business

A Mouth-watering Market

In Taiwan, fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and even furniture giant IKEA are inventing new ways to seize on the appeal of breakfast. What’s on the plate for this ever-popular meal?

Cashing In on the Security Craze

This once faltering multimedia technology firm took a bold turn into little-charted terrain, and emerged as the world?s second largest webcam maker.

Entrepreneurship
Evergreen Marine Chairman Y.F. Chang

Visionary at the Helm

With 176 vessels plying the world’s oceans, Evergreen is a truly global Taiwanese conglomerate. The green-friendly vision of Chairman Y.F. Chang has helped it claim a popular niche in a cutthroat field.

Entrepreneurship
HTC CEO Peter Chou

Taking On the Toughest Job

From smartphones to PDA phones with Windows CE, to cell phones with the new Android platform, HTC has always been first. The secret is taking the path of greatest resistance.

Entrepreneurship
Keen High Technologies Co.

Loyalty and Honesty Build an MP3 Empire

Hardly anyone has heard of this obscure Taiwanese-invested company in China. Yet Keen High, whose turnover has increased eightfold in just three years, makes portable MP3 players for most of the world?s global brands...

Entrepreneurship
I-Stone Jewelry Co.

A Tale of Transformation

How did I-Stone grow from a small family workshop in Keelung County, Taiwan to a 1,100-store franchise in China, beating out Swarovski as the favorite of brand of Chinese youth?

Entrepreneurship
Major Challenges in a New Year

Taiwanese Businesses in China Face New Barriers

China will no longer be a gold-digger?s paradise after it implements seven new policies in 2008 that may alter how foreign-invested firms do business there.

Entrepreneurship
Innovative Asustek Stuns the World

The Lion Shows it Can Dance

Having made an impressive debut in the sub-notebook market with the introduction of Eee PC, will Asustek get an additional boost from splitting its contract manufacturing and branded businesses?

From Handset Hero to Internet Media Master?

From rain boots to TV sets to today’s omnipresent cell phones, Nokia has always been ready to transform itself. Now it’s taking aim at the massive Internet services market.

Entrepreneurship
Augmentum CEO Leonard Liu

Birthing a Trans-Pacific Start-up

Instead of retiring, former IBM exec Leonard Liu has started a software firm, and is already outsourcing for Microsoft, Intel and Motorola. But according to his vision, this is just the beginning…

Entrepreneurship
TaiMed Biologics

Taiwan's Biotech Dream Team

A group of luminaries from science and business have launched a company they believe will propel Taiwan's biotechnology sector into the global arena.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwan's Expatriate Scientists Return

Biotechnology's Golden Age Unfolds

Top scholars returning from abroad are contributing skills honed over their lifetimes to make the biotechnology sector Taiwan's next miracle.

Entrepreneurship
Exclusive Interview with Dr. David Ho

Success that Money Can Measure

Renowned researcher David Ho talks of the significance of his new biotech venture, the importance of making a contribution, and the definition of success.

Entrepreneurship
Enabler of Happiness: Kaohsiung County's Chiu-hsing Yang

The Flamingo Lily Miracle

Southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung County is harnessing sophisticated farming techniques and tourism marketing to optimize its agricultural and fishing resources.

Entrepreneurship
TSMC Chairman Morris Chang

Why Are Taiwanese Companies Undervalued?

The Price-Earnings Ratios of Taiwan's listed companies remain discounted internationally. A number of substantive steps can be taken to make the island?s corporations truly world-class, and raise the appraisal of Taiwan.

Entrepreneurship
ScinoPharm Taiwan

Sweet Success... at Long Last

After eight years of fruitless endeavor, ScinoPharm Taiwan is turning a profit. But for CEO Jo Shen, these rewards are no fluke, but the result of meticulous planning.

Entrepreneurship
Acquisition of Gateway

Acer Shows Its Teeth

With its acquisition of Gateway, Acer has made its presence felt in the U.S. market, snatched the world number-three position from rival Lenovo, and declared itself a truly global enterprise.

Entrepreneurship
Taiwanese Enterprises in Southeast Asia

Second Wave Southward

Entrepreneurship
Li & Fung Group

An Empire on Which the Sun Doesn't Set

After a century, the Li & Fung Group shows no sign of age. The group's unique global supply-chain management model brings together 8,300 suppliers globally in a world-class business empire.

Entrepreneurship
Walsin Lihwa Corporation

Soaring on the Wave of China's Domestic Demand

One Taiwanese enterprise is beating out Chinese, Japanese and Western firms in bids for major public projects, in the process becoming the biggest supplier of steel and copper wire in China.

Entrepreneurship
Exclusive Interview

Innovation Authority Dan Steinbock

Globalization is the lifeline of small countries, and compared to Nordic countries, Taiwan is not all that small... Author and professor Dan Steinbock shares some surprising viewpoints.

Entrepreneurship
To Go or Not to Go

Taiwanese Professionals Eye China

Global competition is compelling young Taiwanese to grapple with the sticky issue of job prospects across the Taiwan Strait. But while the opportunities may be abundant, what are the tradeoffs?

Beyond OEM, Straight to the World

Taiwan's SMEs are beginning to evolve away from their traditionally passive roles as contract manufacturers, aggressively redefining their position in the global supply chain.

Entrepreneurship
Chinese Petroleum and China Steel

Making Money by Cutting Carbon

The two industrial giants Chinese Petroleum and China Steel have born the blame for Kaohsiung City's world-topping carbon emissions. Now, their aggressive carbon-cutting efforts are helping the environment, and making them money too.

Entrepreneurship
Cheng Loong Corp.

Papermaker Turns Bad Rep into Pulp Fiction

The paper industry is notorious for consuming energy. But Taiwanese paper manufacturer Cheng Loong has voluntarily cut greenhouse gas emissions, joining the vanguard of Taiwan's green revolution.

Entrepreneurship
Motech Solar

Riding a 30-year Wave of Growth

Between 2003 and 2006 Motech Solar maintained annual growth of 70 to 80 percent. This year it is poised to join the ranks of the world's top five solar cell suppliers. How bright is solar's future?

Making LED Patents Shine on the World Stage

How has a tiny company with just ten employees captured the fancy of global lighting heavyweights? What breakthrough innovations does ISTI bring to the LED field?

Entrepreneurship
Epistar Corporation

Manufacturing Prowess + Patents = Global Primacy

Can a “two-legged” strategy help Epistar Corporation become the UMC of the trillion-NT-dollar LED industry?

Entrepreneurship
Anti-warming Industry

Taiwan Carves Out a Piece of the Green Pie

As petroleum prices keep rising, solar energy and LED lighting offer tremendous alternative potential. Riding high on the tide, Taiwanese enterprises are jockeying for position to profit off global warming.

Making Money the Proper Way

The chairman of Uni-President, renowned for its contributions to disaster relief and aid to impoverished communities, shares his insights on balancing responsibilities to shareholders and the public interest.

Entrepreneurship
Yin-chun Wei:

Creating Work for the Next Generation

Yin-chun Wei, head of the Ting Hsin business empire, shares his passion for personnel training and grassroots education, in China and Taiwan.