Taiwanese Change Makers

In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with Richard deVries, founder and CEO of Geber Consulting, a leading brand strategy agency helping Taiwanese companies expand internationally. Richard shares his unique journey - from winning a one-way ticket to Taiwan in an online auction to building a successful branding and marketing consultancy over two decades.

He discusses the evolution of Taiwan’s business landscape, the challenges of B2B branding for OEM companies, and how AI is reshaping marketing. Plus, Richard opens up about his passion for endurance sports, including competing in Ironman races, and how discipline in athletics translates to entrepreneurship.

Whether you're interested in Taiwan’s business ecosystem, global branding strategies, or the mindset of a triathlete-entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights.

In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with Kara Atchison, a seasoned engineer-turned-entrepreneur with a remarkable career spanning NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, global defense giants, and her own Taiwan-based supply chain venture, SCM Solution. Kara shares insights on high-stakes teamwork at NASA, the challenges of launching a business in Taiwan, and how geopolitical shifts like U.S.-China tariffs are reshaping supply chains. Tune in for practical advice on entrepreneurship, cross-cultural leadership, and why Taiwan is a hub for hardware innovation — plus, hear Kara’s favorite Taiwanese street food spots!

How does a Scottish musician become one of Taiwan’s most influential headhunters? In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with Alan McIvor - Practice Lead at Paul Wright Group, angel investor, and former rockstar - for a candid conversation about reinvention, risk-taking, and reshaping Taiwan’s talent landscape.

From fronting a band at Spring Scream to placing C-suite executives, Alan’s journey is anything but ordinary. Alan shares:

- Why Taiwan’s corporate culture needs more “foreign crazy” (and less rigidity)

- Angel investing in startups like CreatorDB & Ness Wellness - and what he looks for in founders

- The art of executive search - key traits of top leaders (hint: charisma beats credentials)

- Taiwan’s Gold Card scheme - brilliant in theory, but are companies leveraging it?

- Alan's accidental coffee habit (including the time he “ordered” at an interior design firm)

Packed with humour, hard truths, and career insights - this episode is a masterclass in saying “yes” to the unexpected.

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.

In this captivating episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey meets Kaitlyn Tsai, a visionary who has made her mark in two very different industries — film and whisky.

Kaitlyn began her career as a film producer, working alongside the legendary late director Chi Po-lin (Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above), helping shape Taiwan’s documentary landscape. But her journey took an unexpected turn when she transitioned into branding and communications, becoming the Global Brand Ambassador for Kavalan Whisky—Taiwan’s award-winning single malt that has taken the world by storm.

Discover how Kaitlyn:
- Pivoted from filmmaking to whisky branding
- Helped establish Kavalan as a global powerhouse (winning World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year in 2021!)
- Overcame skepticism to put Taiwanese whisky on the world stage
- Balances a high-powered career with motherhood

Whether you're a film buff, whisky enthusiast, or just love an inspiring career reinvention, this episode is a must-listen! 

In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with Deral Chen, founder of Blutech, an award-winning green tech company pioneering industrial IoT solutions for smart energy management.

Deral shares his remarkable journey from studying quantum computing in the 1990s to building a mission-driven company at the forefront of Taiwan’s net-zero ambitions. He discusses:

• Overcoming the challenges of bootstrapping a start-up with just his wife and personal savings
• How Blutech not only survived COVID-19 but emerged stronger
• Taiwan's growing role in the global green tech revolution
• Exciting plans for international expansion

Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and sustainable industry transformation!

In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, Adrian de Courcey sits down with Revital Spangenthal - entrepreneur, ESG advisor and endurance athlete to explore why Taiwan is a thriving hub for innovation, sustainability and business growth in Asia. With over 25 years of experience guiding global tech companies into Asian markets, Revital shares key insights on Taiwan’s competitive edge in semiconductors, AI, healthcare, and even agriculture. She also discusses the importance of long-term thinking in business, Taiwan’s path to net-zero by 2050, and how lessons from Ironman races apply to entrepreneurship. A lifelong vegan and sustainability advocate, Revital offers practical advice on reducing carbon footprints and why Taiwan is the perfect place to live, work, and make an impact. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, innovation, and the future of Taiwan.

In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with Kimmy Chen, Managing Director of Kokozi, to explore Kimmy’s remarkable career spanning tech leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation across Asia.

From growing up in Taipei to studying in Canada, working in Brazil and launching ventures in Taiwan and beyond, Kimmy shares:

• How early curiosity led to tech entrepreneurship and global markets.
• Key lessons from building e-commerce platforms including iKala and ShopBack and empowering merchants across Asia. 
• Insights into Taiwan’s startup ecosystem, including its strengths in hardware, semiconductors, and opportunities for growth.
• Kimmy’s latest mission at Kokozi, an audio platform for kids and why Taiwan is the perfect launchpad for global expansion.

Kimmy also reflects on the power of optimism, resilience, and thinking globally—advice every aspiring change maker needs to hear.

🎧 Listen now to discover how curiosity and bold choices can shape a career—and an industry!

In this episode of Taiwanese Change Makers, host Adrian de Courcey sits down with En-chia Tsai, an award-winning entrepreneur, co-founder of Bened Biomedical (a pioneering neurobiotics company), and chairwoman of the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation.

En-chia shares her journey from studying abroad in Ireland and the UK to leading groundbreaking research in psychobiotics—probiotics that improve neurological health for conditions such as, autism, Parkinson’s, and depression. She discusses how Bened Biomedical is revolutionising the gut-brain axis, and her vision for making Bened and Taiwan global brands in biotech.

Beyond business, En-chia opens up about her impactful role at the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation, combating human trafficking, domestic violence, and digital sexual abuse. She sheds light on the dark reality of scam operations in Southeast Asia and how the foundation rescues victims while advocating for policy change.

Finally, En-chia reflects on work-life balance as a working mom, her favourite spots in Taiwan (including Tainan’s street food!), and why Din Tai Fung remains her top restaurant pick.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on innovation, social impact, and resilience with one of Taiwan’s leading Change Makers!

Join Adrian de Courcey in this insightful episode of Taiwanese Change Makers as he sits down with Annie Huang, the pioneering Managing Partner of Floreo Capital. Annie, a Harvard Business School graduate, is bringing the innovative concept of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) to Taiwan, revolutionising the way SMEs approach succession and growth. Discover Annie's remarkable journey, from her upbringing in Taiwan to her transformative experiences at Harvard, where she was exposed to diverse global perspectives and the power of the case method.

Annie demystifies the search fund model, explaining its four key stages: fundraising, searching, operating, and exiting. She delves into the unique criteria for identifying ideal acquisition targets, emphasising the importance of quality revenue, earnings, and cultural fit. Learn how Annie's approach differs from traditional buyout funds, focusing on long-term value creation and a deep commitment to the businesses she acquires.

Explore the untapped potential of Taiwan's vast SME landscape, where succession challenges and a lack of competition create a fertile ground for ETA. Annie shares her strategies for navigating this under-educated market, building trust with sellers, and overcoming the unique challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated environment.

From discussing the intricacies of fundraising to revealing her preferred sectors and the emotional intelligence required for successful acquisitions, Annie provides invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike. Discover how she's leveraging her global expertise to unlock the hidden gems of Taiwan's business world.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and the dynamic business landscape of Taiwan. Tune in to hear Annie Wan's inspiring story and gain a fresh perspective on the power of ETA in driving positive change."