The Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) has unveiled its upgraded Innovation Board (Taiwan Innovation Board, TIB), removing restrictions on qualified investors and opening the market to retail investors.
This reform aims to boost market liquidity, increase accessibility, and position Taiwan as a regional leader in innovation and investment, establishing the TIB as Asia’s premier platform for startups and emerging industries, according to a statement by the TWSE.
First launched in July 2021, the Innovation Board was limited to qualified investors, such as institutional investors and entities with substantial trading experience and financial assets. The new framework removes these barriers, expanding access to Taiwan’s 13 million account holders, up from the original 300,000 qualified investors.
“The removal of the qualified investor restriction will not only boost liquidity but also enhance company valuations,” said Sherman Lin, chairman and CEO of the TWSE.
Lin emphasised that the TWSE will focus on “technology” and “innovation” as the dual pillars driving its future growth, with the goal of transforming Taiwan into a smart technology island.
“This initiative is expected to attract cutting-edge companies and foster an environment conducive to technological advancements and economic growth, ” said Lin.
Looking ahead, the TWSE plans to strengthen collaboration within domestic innovation ecosystems while targeting international markets such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam to attract startups and growth-stage companies to list in Taiwan.
“The Innovation Board 2.0 not only helps retain Taiwanese startups considering overseas listings but also aims to attract Asia’s new economy companies, solidifying Taiwan’s position as a regional leader in innovation and investment,” Lin added.
Since its inception, the TIB has supported over 20 innovative companies with core technologies or unique business models in accessing capital markets for fundraising, according to the statement.
