Why the head of Taiwan’s stock exchange wants you to look past TSMC—and embrace the ‘technology island’

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's leading chipmaker, recently reported impressive quarterly results, but its stock price fell after investors deemed the gains insufficient. This situation presents an opportunity for Sherman Lin, Chairman of the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation, to emphasize the broader opportunities within Taiwan's technology sector beyond TSMC.

Taiwan could be considered a "technology island," with a highly interconnected supply chain and numerous manufacturers within a short distance of each other. The country's stock market, now the fifth-largest globally, has significant room for growth, with a forecasted 11% growth for 2026. Lin is encouraging investors to look at "hidden champions" in various sectors, including biotechnology, construction, food, sports, and leisure.

The Taiwan Innovation Board, launched in 2021, aims to spotlight companies in AI, semiconductors, green energy, and other priority sectors. Despite the challenges, Taiwan's stock market saw 70 IPOs in 2025, raising a record $3.3 billion, with a majority of these deals focused on AI supply chain companies. To improve corporate governance and transparency, Taiwan is implementing the "Power Up" program, which has already gained traction among listed companies.