If you’re new to Taiwan, or if you’re a student about to graduate and looking for job opportunities, networking is something you’ll want to start doing early. Building connections with people from your target industry can make a huge difference; whether you’re job hunting, freelancing, or simply trying to understand how your sector works locally.
The networking scene in Taipei is smaller than in major corporate hubs like Brussels, London, Paris, or New York. And once you leave Taipei, it becomes even more limited. That said, if you dig a bit deeper, you’ll quickly realize that networking opportunities are actually everywhere and happening almost all the time, you just need to know where to look.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of places and formats where you can network in Taiwan. I’ll update this article as I come across new ones.
Trade fairs and exhibitions
Taipei is huge when it comes to trade fairs and exhibitions. During peak seasons—March to June and September to December—you can sometimes find up to three large-scale trade fairs per week, covering a wide range of industries and niches.
One of the best things about these events is that most of them are free to attend. Even when there’s an entry fee, business owners, freelancers, or students can often get in for free or at a discounted rate.
Taipei has two main exhibition centers:
- Nangang Exhibition Center
- Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) in Xinyi
You can find upcoming events on their official websites:
- Nangang Exhibition Center: https://www.tainex.com.tw/en/
- TWTC: https://www.twtc.com.tw/en/
Additionally, it’s worth checking TAITRA-organized events. TAITRA not only hosts events in Taipei, but also in Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, which can be useful if you’re based outside the capital or targeting regional markets.
- TAITRA: https://www.taitra.org.tw/en/
One important thing to know about trade fairs in Taiwan:
Many companies organize private networking events, conferences, or cocktail receptions on the side, often in nearby hotels. These events are usually invitation-only, and there’s no central platform listing them—you’ll only hear about them through LinkedIn, word of mouth, or direct invitations.
My personal tip:
If you’re attending a trade fair, let’s say for example at the World Trade Center, take a walk through the Grand Hyatt Taipei reception halls nearby. Many side events take place there, and you usually find them listed somewhere at the reception. Look up the event online on the spot—if it’s free, there’s a good chance they’ll let you in even if you didn’t register in advance.
Designated networking events
Unlike larger cities, Taipei doesn’t have a long list of weekly or monthly business networking meetups. However, there are a few designated events that are clearly designed for professional networking and worth keeping an eye on—especially if you’re looking for something more structured than casual social gatherings.
11th Fleet
As far as I know, 11th Fleet is the only organization that runs regular, recurring business networking events in Taipei. They typically organize:
- One smaller gathering per month
- One larger event every three months
Their events are free of charge, with only a minimum consumption required at the venue. The crowd tends to be more expat-heavy than local, but it’s still a good place to meet entrepreneurs, freelancers, and professionals across industries.
To stay updated, follow their LinkedIn page or ask to be added to their mailing list.
Business communities
Beyond one-off events, some of the most consistent networking opportunities in Taiwan come from established business communities. These groups tend to attract people who are already active professionally and looking to build longer-term relationships rather than just exchanging business cards.
Chambers of commerce
Taiwan may lack formal diplomatic relations with many countries, but it definitely doesn’t lack economic ties. Taipei hosts a large number of foreign chambers of commerce, many of which organize regular talks, panels, breakfasts, and networking evenings.
Most events are reserved for members, but some are open to non-members, and several chambers offer very affordable individual memberships, especially for young professionals, freelancers, or job seekers.
Some of the main chambers and trade organizations in Taipei include:
- France-Taiwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFT) — https://www.ccift.org.tw/
- British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei (BCCT) — http://www.bcctaipei.com/
- German Trade Office Taipei (Deutsches Wirtschaftsbüro Taipei / AHK Taiwan) — http://www.taiwan.ahk.de/
- Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei (SwedCham) — https://swedchamtw.org/
- Italian Chamber of Commerce Taipei (ICCT): https://icct.tw/
- European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) — https://www.ecct.com.tw/
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (CanCham) — https://www.canchamtw.com/
- American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) — https://amcham.com.tw/
- Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (ANZCham) — https://www.anzcham.org.tw/
- Taiwan-Israel Chamber of Commerce (TICC) — https://www.ticc.org.tw/
If you’re serious about networking within a specific national or industry ecosystem, joining a chamber can be well worth the cost.
Personal preference: The French Chamber is by far the most active and the most welcoming (even if you’re not french).
Other communities
- Círculo Empresarial Organizes monthly meetups in different formats and across various industries. Aimed at Spanish speakers (native or non-native). (Linkedin)
- Gold Card Family A community of Taiwan Gold Card holders. They organize regular meetups, some of which are also open to non-Gold Card holders. (Facebook group)
- Taiwan Digital Nomad Association Focused on remote workers, freelancers, and founders. (Instagram)
- Formosa Network Focuses on Taiwan-related events outside of Taiwan, but sometimes organizes meetups in Taiwan too (disclaimer, I’m the founder). (website)
Universities and alumni networks
Universities in Taiwan are not just for students.
Many top universities—especially NTU, NCCU, and NTUST—host:
- Public lectures
- Career talks
- Industry panels
If you studied in Taiwan, your alumni network can also be an underrated networking tool. Alumni events are often smaller, more personal, and easier to build deeper connections at.
Any social event or gathering
Not every networking opportunity needs to be labeled as “business networking.”
In Taiwan, many meaningful professional connections happen in social settings: hiking groups, yoga classes, language exchanges, book clubs, sports communities, or volunteering activities. These environments are often more relaxed and make it easier to build genuine relationships that can later turn into professional opportunities.
Don’t underestimate the power of casual conversations.
Social media
Nothing new here—but it’s still underused.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with reaching out to someone on LinkedIn and suggesting a coffee chat. I’ve done this several times in Taipei over the past month, and I’ve never received a flat “no.” People are generally open, curious, and willing to connect, especially if your message is polite, specific, and shows genuine interest.
Threads
Threads is surprisingly popular among local Taiwanese users. To make the most of it, you’ll want to write in Chinese, but it can be a great way to reach a local audience, even for business-related topics.
It works particularly well for sharing personal insights, observations, and informal takes rather than polished corporate content.
Create your own
People rarely think about this, but if the networking event you wish existed doesn’t exist in Taipei—just create it yourself.
Taipei offers a wide range of affordable venues suitable for all formats: workshops, panel discussions, roundtables, or cocktail receptions. Cafés, coworking spaces, and even bars are often open to hosting small events.
- Happ: Offers a wide range of venues at very affordable price all around Taipei (website is only available in Chinese).
I’ve organized events in the past, and while it does add an extra layer of stress, it’s also incredibly rewarding, and one of the fastest ways to position yourself at the center of a community.
Sometimes, the best way to network is simply to become the connector.
A few Taiwan-specific networking tips
- Be patient: relationships in Taiwan often take time to develop, but once trust is built, they tend to be long-lasting.
- Don’t be overly transactional: jumping straight into “what can you do for me?” rarely works.
- Follow up matters: a short message on Line after meeting someone goes a long way.
- Language helps: even basic Mandarin shows effort and can immediately change the dynamic.
Networking in Taiwan may not look as obvious or structured as in major Western business hubs, but it’s very much alive—just more subtle and community-driven. Opportunities exist across trade fairs, business communities, social events, online platforms, and even casual meetups.
The key is consistency and curiosity. Show up regularly, be genuinely interested in people, and don’t limit yourself to “official” networking formats. In Taiwan, many of the best professional opportunities start with a simple conversation—and sometimes, with a coffee that wasn’t meant to be business-related at all.
Bubble Tea Island 