The Taiwan Stock Exchange ( TWSE ) has unveiled its upgraded Taiwan Innovation Board ( TIB ), removing restrictions on qualified investors and opening the market to retail investors, with the aim of boosting market liquidity, increasing accessibility, positioning Taiwan as a regional leader in innovation and investment and, the TWSE says, “establishing the TIB as Asia’s premier platform for start-ups and emerging industries”.

The TIB, launched in July 2021, was limited to qualified investors, such as institutional investors and entities with substantial trading experience and financial assets. The new framework removes these barriers, the exchange says, expanding access to Taiwan’s 13 million account holders, up from the original 300,000 qualified investors.

Taiwan’s capital market reached a historic milestone in 2024, soaring by over 28%, making it the best-performing stock market in Asia and the second-best globally, trailing only the Nasdaq in the United States. The TWSE will focus on technology and innovation as the dual pillars driving its future growth, says Sherman Lin, the exchange’s chairman and CEO, with the goal of transforming Taiwan into a smart technology island.

The upgrade of the TIB is a pivotal move, Lin states, positioning Taiwan as a premier destination for innovative enterprises across Asia. “This initiative is expected to attract cutting-edge companies and foster an environment conducive to technological advancements and economic growth.”

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 start-ups and growth-stage companies to list in Taiwan.”

“The removal of the qualified investor restriction will not only boost liquidity but also enhance company valuations,” Lin adds. “The TIB 2.0 not only helps retain Taiwanese start-ups 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.”

Since its inception, the TIB has supported over 20 innovative companies with core technologies or unique business models in accessing capital markets for fundraising, the TWSE notes, underscoring its critical role in fostering innovation and growth.