Silicon to Steel: A Physical AI Stack Mixer

Join SparkLabs Taiwan and Startup Island TAIWAN – Silicon Valley Hub for an intimate gathering of semiconductor leaders, AI founders, investors, and operators exploring what it takes to build and deploy the next generation of Agentic and Physical AI. The program will feature an industry spotlight from Dr. Wei Lin, CTO of Phison Electronics, followed by two candid fireside conversations with leaders from Phison, Applied Materials, and five emerging AI and deep-tech companies from Taiwan. This is not a traditional pitch night. The conversations will focus on the infrastructure, deployment challenges, and cross-border partnerships needed to move emerging technologies into the real world. Industry Spotlight : Beyond the Model Infrastructure for the Agentic and Physical AI Era Dr. Wei Lin — Chief Technology Officer, Phison Electronics Dr. Wei Lin is CTO of Phison Electronics, where he is building the memory and data infrastructure needed to move AI from simulation into real-world deployment. He holds more than 200 NAND flash patents, with over three billion controller chips produced worldwide using his inventions. Dr. Lin will explore how memory, heterogeneous computing, data orchestration, and system-level architecture must evolve to support increasingly complex Agentic and Physical AI workloads. Fireside 01 Memory Rebuilt From the Atom Up As AI moves beyond the cloud and into physical systems, memory can no longer be treated as a passive component. This conversation will explore how next-generation storage, semiconductor security, and data infrastructure must evolve to support AI at the edge and in the real world. Speakers David Lin — AVP of Global AI Strategy, Phison Electronics John Chang — Founder & CEO, Jmem Tek Sharon Ku — Head of Business Development, NeuroShine Moderator: Uly Su — Director, Startup Island TAIWAN – Silicon Valley Hub Fireside 02 : The Simulation-to-Shop-Floor Gap Building an impressive AI demo is one thing. Deploying it inside a real factory—across legacy systems, complex workflows, and production constraints—is another. This conversation will examine how digital twins, AI agents, and semiconductor innovation can close the gap between simulation and the shop floor, moving Physical AI from pilot programs into scalable production. Speakers Colette Wu — Applied Materials Daniel Yu — Co-Founder & CEO, metAI Phill Kao — Co-Founder & CEO, Morale AI Ian Chen — U.S. General Manager, APMIC Moderator: Edgar Chiu — Managing Partner, SparkLabs Taiwan What We’ll Explore Why the model is only one layer of the Physical AI stack How memory and data infrastructure shape real-world AI performance What it takes to move from simulation and pilots into production How AI agents can operate within industrial environments Where Taiwan and Silicon Valley can build deeper technology and commercial partnerships Who This Is For Investors exploring AI, semiconductors, deep tech, and industrial technology Corporate leaders seeking emerging technologies and strategic partners Founders building AI infrastructure, digital twins, agents, robotics, and intelligent systems Operators and ecosystem leaders working across Taiwan and the United States This is a curated gathering designed for substantive conversations, relevant introductions, and meaningful follow-up. Program 3:45 PM — Guest arrival and welcome networking4:00 PM — Opening remarks4:15 PM — Industry Spotlight: Beyond the Model4:30 PM — Fireside 01: Memory Rebuilt From the Atom Up4:50 PM — Fireside 02: The Simulation-to-Shop-Floor Gap5:15 PM — Open networking, food, and drinks6:30 PM — Event close About SparkLabs Taiwan Co-Host: SparkLabs Taiwan is part of a global investment network connecting the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, and the Middle East. Guided by the philosophy of “entrepreneurs backing entrepreneurs,” SparkLabs Taiwan has supported more than 80 AI and deep-tech founders since 2018. Its current focus includes Physical AI and Agentic AI, with a portfolio spanning semiconductors, enterprise AI, robotics, digital twins, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing—including an edge AI chip unicorn and NVIDIA’s first direct startup investment in Taiwan. Explore SparkLabs Taiwan Demo Day 11:https://sparklabs-tw-batch11.lovable.app/ About Startup Island TAIWAN – Silicon Valley Hub Partner: Startup Island TAIWAN – Silicon Valley Hub serves as a strategic bridge between Taiwan’s technology ecosystem and Silicon Valley. Established in 2025 with the support of Taiwan’s National Development Council, the Palo Alto-based Hub helps Taiwanese startups enter and grow in the U.S. through market resources, investor and corporate connections, community programs, and cross-border business opportunities. Event Details Date: September 28, 2026Location: Palo Alto, CaliforniaLanguage: EnglishFormat: Industry spotlight, fireside conversations, food, drinks, and curated networking Space is limited, and registration is subject to approval.