Taiwanese Change Makers
Discover Taiwan's most innovative minds in "Taiwanese Change Makers," a podcast featuring conversations with the island's groundbreaking entrepreneurs, technologists, artists, and scientists. Each episode uncovers the stories and insights of visionaries who are shaping Taiwan's future through cutting-edge startups, technological breakthroughs, artistic innovation, and scientific discovery. Join me, Adrian de Courcey, as we explore the ideas and passion driving Taiwan's emergence as a global hub of creativity and innovation.
Taiwanese Change Makers
Pivots & Persistence: Elias Ek’s Entrepreneurial Journey in Taiwan
In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with Elias Ek, serial entrepreneur, ESG advocate and angel investor, to explore his remarkable journey from Sweden to Taiwan. With over two decades in Taiwan, Elias co-founded multiple businesses, including Enspyre, Taiwan's premier B2B lead generation company, and authored the book, How to Start a Business in Taiwan.
Elias shares candid insights on:
- The highs and lows of building a business in Taiwan as an immigrant.
- Why he founded Dragon’s Chamber to support foreign entrepreneurs in a system where less than 1% of startups are immigrant-led.
- The critical gaps in Taiwan’s startup ecosystem, from banking hurdles for foreigners to tax policies that deter international investment.
- His vision for Taiwan’s future - and why he’d love to launch a fintech bank for immigrants.
Tune in for a conversation packed with hard-won wisdom, laugh-out-loud anecdotes (like his love for Hooters Taiwan), and actionable advice for aspiring change makers.