Strait Forward Episode 8 - The Birth of Taiwan's Chip Industry
Check out Episode 8 of Strait Forward!
I'm Ylli Bajraktari, CEO of the Special Competitive Studies Project. In today’s episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange are joined by Michelle Yun, Corporate Communications Manager at UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation), Taiwan's first semiconductor company established in 1980.
Strait Forward is now available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. I hope you enjoy the conversation.
In this episode of Strait Forward, hosts Channing Lee and Libby Lange dive deep into the origin story of Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor industry. From the initial "breakfast meeting" that set the course, to the deliberate strategic decisions, government foresight, and the development of crucial "cluster effects" that paved the way, Channing and Libby explore the foundations of Taiwan's chip prowess.
This episode features Michelle Yun, Corporate Communications Manager at UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation), Taiwan's first semiconductor company established in 1980. Michelle discusses UMC's foundational role in Taiwan's chip ecosystem, its pure-play foundry business model, and how legacy chips power our everyday lives. She also provides an inside look into how Taiwan's tech companies navigate complex geopolitical landscapes as global innovation competition intensifies.
Also join us at the AI+ Expo for live recordings of Strait Forward, featuring guests such as Founder of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association Chiayo Kuo, Author & NPR Correspondent Emily Feng, and more!
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