The Economic Ministry led Taiwanese startups to the SelectUSA Tech startup competition in the United States this year, where they won one gold, three silver, and one bronze medal, outperforming competitors worldwide. 

Per the ministry’s Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SME), Taiwan had the largest number of applicants in the health technology category and many entries in other categories were also related to biomedical technologies, highlighting Taiwan’s widely recognized achievements in health and biomedical R&D. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, SME Director General GJ Lee (李冠志) said Taiwan has sent a total of 113 startups to compete in the U.S. during the past four years, with 16 companies placing in the global top three, 20 securing investment, and total fundraising reaching NT$2.53 billion (US$78 million). Eight companies have already established operations in the U.S.

Lee said this year marked Taiwan’s strongest performance ever. Their achievements spanned core technology fields including health, defense, energy, and open technology, representing the broadest category coverage in Taiwan’s history. Both the number of awards and scale of achievement reached record highs, placing Taiwan at the top globally.

JelloX Biotech, which won first place in the health technology category this year, said it plans to raise US$10 million in its first funding round and will officially establish a company in the U.S. this year. Meanwhile, HOHO Biotech, whose patented hydrogen gel capsules for military rations advanced into the top eight in the defense technology category, said it has already received inquiries from investors in the U.S. defense sector.