Taiwan's former president used a San Francisco visit to push for deeper two-way tech ties with Silicon Valley, a positive signal for Taiwanese startups and investors on both sides.

• Tsai Ing-wen met young Taiwanese founders and venture investors at Taiwan's San Francisco office, her first US trip since leaving office.
• She said Taiwan is now tightly linked to the world through chips, AI, telecom gear and biotech, and the next question is what else Taiwan can offer beyond products.
• She asked Taiwanese in Silicon Valley to act as a bridge, bringing back technology, talent, money and new ways of working.
• Founders described the hard parts of building abroad with little money and few people, and want Taiwan to stay a trusted international partner.
• Called a "political entrepreneur," Tsai traced her path from trade negotiator to president and told the group not to fear failure.

Outlook: Expect more informal Taiwan–Silicon Valley startup and investment links, with Tsai staying active as an unofficial envoy for Taiwan's tech sector.