At Bridging Silicon Valley and Taiwan: Semiconductor & AI Synergies on January 13, 2026 in Palo Alto, Andy Lombard, Founder and Managing Partner of Tesoro Venture Capital, shares hard-earned insights on what it really takes to scale AI and semiconductor startups from early traction to global impact.

Drawing from decades of experience as a six-time venture-backed founder, former Motorola executive, and deep-tech investor, Andy breaks down how capital, partnerships, and access to global supply chains—especially across Taiwan and Silicon Valley—shape the success or failure of hardware-driven startups.

This talk explores:

• Why scaling deep tech is fundamentally different from scaling software

• How founders should think about manufacturing, partnerships, and timing

• The role of accelerators, venture capital, and cross-border ecosystems

• Why Taiwan remains a critical hub for semiconductor and AI innovation

This session is part of the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC) ecosystem event, connecting founders, investors, and industry leaders working at the frontier of AI and semiconductor innovation.

Organized by Taiwan National Science & Technology Council

Implemented by Taipei Computer Association

Produced by Sparknify

⁠#AndyLombard⁠ ⁠#TesoroVC⁠ ⁠#SemiconductorStartups⁠ ⁠#AIStartups⁠ ⁠#DeepTech⁠ ⁠#HardwareStartups⁠ ⁠#VentureCapital⁠ ⁠#StartupScaling⁠ ⁠#GlobalSupplyChain⁠ ⁠#TaiwanSiliconValley⁠ ⁠#CrossBorderInnovation⁠ ⁠#ICTGC⁠ ⁠#StartupEcosystem⁠ ⁠#HardTech⁠ ⁠#FounderInsights⁠ ⁠#Sparknify⁠

A Strategic Conversation from Silicon Valley at 2025 Taiwan Demo Day

As AI dominates headlines and reshapes entire industries, the most forward-looking investors, researchers, and founders are already asking: what comes next? This panel—filmed live at Willow Workplace in Menlo Park on July 24, 2025 — brings together some of the sharpest minds in AI, venture capital, and exponential technologies to explore the next wave beyond artificial intelligence.🎙️ Moderated by:Sibyl Chen — General Manager, Berkeley SkyDeck🧠 Panelists:• Chris Manning — Head of the Stanford AI Lab, expert in next-gen AI architectures• Jerry Kaplan — Renowned futurist, author, and serial entrepreneur• Michelle Kiang — Founding Managing Partner of MTM Venture PartnersTopics include:🔹 Signals for the next investable frontier🔹 Post-AI computing paradigms🔹 Synthetic biology, edge intelligence, and beyond🔹 Geopolitical shifts and infrastructural realignments🔹 Where the next 10x innovations might emerge🎯 Following the panel, the session features 10 cutting-edge startups from Taiwan as part of Taiwan Demo Day—offering a rare look at ventures emerging from one of the world’s most quietly impactful tech ecosystems.🔗 Learn more: https://www.sparknify.com/taiwan-demo-day📍 Filmed at: Willow Workplace, Menlo Park, CA📅 Date: July 24, 2025#PostAI⁠ ⁠#DeepTech⁠ ⁠#TaiwanTech⁠ ⁠#VentureCapital⁠ ⁠#FutureOfTech⁠ ⁠#StartupEcosystems⁠ ⁠#AI⁠ ⁠#SyntheticBiology⁠ ⁠#EdgeComputing⁠ ⁠#TaiwanDemoDay⁠ ⁠#Sparknify⁠ ⁠#StanfordAI⁠ ⁠#SkyDeck⁠ ⁠#JerryKaplan⁠ ⁠#MTMventures⁠

In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged, Scott Parker, founder and CEO of Traverse Aero, takes the stage for a Tech Talk presentation on how autonomous air systems will reshape the future of logistics.Scott introduces Traverse Aero’s groundbreaking approach to autonomous pallet transport, showing how their platform can dramatically improve planning, routing, and operational efficiency across the global supply chain.With a vision that blends advanced engineering, automation, and next-generation air mobility, Traverse Aero is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in freight transport.🔍 Highlights from Scott’s Tech Talk: • How autonomous aircraft can streamline pallet transport • Why today’s logistics systems need a smarter aerial layer • Traverse Aero’s approach to precision planning and real-time routing • The engineering behind scalable autonomous air mobility • How automation will unlock faster and more cost-effective freight movementIf you’re interested in aviation, robotics, logistics tech, or deep-tech innovation, this on-stage presentation offers a powerful glimpse into the future.⸻🎥 About Sparknify SV UnpluggedSilicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up) is a monthly live studio show with audience produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. Each episode brings together visionary founders, technologists, and creators to discuss bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, humanity, and the future.🌐 Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest speakers, and how to attend future shows in person.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay plugged in to future episodes of SV Up—where Silicon Valley speaks, unplugged.#TraverseAero⁠ ⁠#ScottParker⁠ ⁠#FutureOfAirTransport⁠ ⁠#AutonomousFlight⁠ ⁠#AviationInnovation⁠ ⁠#AirMobility⁠ ⁠#LogisticsTech⁠ ⁠#AutonomousLogistics⁠ ⁠#FreightRevolution⁠ ⁠#SupplyChainInnovation⁠ ⁠#Sparknify⁠ ⁠#SVUp⁠

In this episode of Silicon Valley Spotlight, we feature David Leikam — a composer-improviser and sonic architect whose soundscapes push the boundaries of modern improvisation. Performing live on the Moog Rogue synthesizer, David brings analog textures to life through instinct, emotion, and deep sonic curiosity.Born with cerebral palsy, David’s experience of the world—through both body and speech—has profoundly shaped his relationship with sound. His physical and sensory awareness translates into a unique musical language that is deeply personal, exploratory, and transcendent.A largely self-taught multi-instrumentalist, David’s work spans composition, performance, and sound design, blending structure with spontaneity in every note.🎧 Experience the art of sound through a different lens — where limitation becomes innovation.🎥 About Sparknify SV Spotlight Silicon Valley Spotlight is a live studio performance produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. The show shines a light on creative and innovative performers who push the boundaries of sound and expression — from artists mastering exotic musical instruments to performers inventing entirely new ways to merge technology and art. Each episode celebrates originality, experimentation, and the human spirit of creativity that thrives in the heart of Silicon Valley. 🌐 Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest performers, and how to attend future shows in person.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay plugged in to future episodes of SV Spotlight.#SVSpotlight #Sparknify #DavidLeikam #MoogRogue #ExperimentalMusic #SoundArt #Improvisation #SonicArchitecture #DisabilityInArt #LivePerformance #BayAreaMusic

In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged, we sit down with Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation on what it really takes to build and back transformative deep-tech companies.Hosted by Jillian Sun, this episode explores how frontier technologies move from lab breakthroughs to global impact. Nicolas shares insights from the investor’s seat—how TDK Ventures evaluates founders, what differentiates durable hardware and deep-tech startups, and where energy, materials, AI, and climate technologies are heading next.Whether you’re a founder navigating early traction, an investor tracking the next platform shift, or simply curious about how real innovation gets funded, this conversation offers a grounded look at the decisions and philosophies shaping the future of technology.⸻About Sparknify SV UnpluggedSilicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up) is a monthly live studio show with audience produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. Each episode brings together visionary founders, technologists, and creators to discuss bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, humanity, and the future.Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest speakers, and how to attend future shows in person.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay plugged in to future episodes of SV Up — where Silicon Valley speaks, unplugged.#SiliconValleyUnplugged #TDKVentures #NicolasSauvage #JillianSun #DeepTech #HardwareStartups #VentureCapital #ClimateTech #EnergyTech #AdvancedMaterials #AIHardware #StartupFounders #TechInvesting #InnovationEcosystem #FromLabToMarket #HardTech #FutureOfTechnology #Sparknify

What if the everyday objects around you — a spring, a pipe, a piece of metal — could sing? In this episode of Silicon Valley Spotlight, we explore the mind of Bryan Day, an experimental sound artist, inventor, and performer who transforms found materials into mesmerizing sound sculptures. From tinkering with discarded electronics to performing with self-built instruments, Bryan challenges how we define music, noise, and art.

🔍 Inside this SV Spotlight episode:

• How Bryan Day turns ordinary junk into expressive sound machines • The philosophy behind experimental sound and improvisation

• What it means to listen differently in a world full of noise

• Live demonstrations of his one-of-a-kind instruments

🎧 Whether you’re an artist, engineer, or simply curious about the boundaries of creativity, this episode invites you to hear the world anew.

Full video recording of this episode is available at https://youtu.be/ppdQ20rJ2dY

🎥 About Sparknify SV Spotlight

Silicon Valley Spotlight is a live studio performance produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. The show shines a light on creative and innovative performers who push the boundaries of sound and expression — from artists mastering exotic musical instruments to performers inventing entirely new ways to merge technology and art. Each episode celebrates originality, experimentation, and the human spirit of creativity that thrives in the heart of Silicon Valley.

🌐 Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest performers, and how to attend future shows in person.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay plugged in to future episodes of SV Spotlights.

#BryanDay #SoundArt #ExperimentalMusic #SoundSculpture #Innovation #CreativeTechnology #SiliconValleyUnplugged #Sparknify #SVSpotlight

AI is transforming every corner of society — and education is no exception. From reshaping how students learn to redefining the admissions process, the future of learning is here. But what happens when algorithms, not humans, begin to evaluate what makes a “good student”?

In this episode of SV Up (Silicon Valley Unplugged), filmed live in Palo Alto, we bring together experts and innovators to tackle one of the biggest questions of our time: How will AI disrupt education and college admissions?

Featured Guests

• Greer Stone – Palo Alto City Council Member, educator, and youth advocate focused on student wellbeing and innovation.

• Michael Treviño – Former Director of Undergraduate Admissions for the University of California system, with decades of leadership experience shaping how admissions decisions are made.

Expect candid conversations about:

• How AI will reshape K-12 and higher education.

• The future of college admissions in an algorithm-driven world.

• What lifelong skills truly matter in an AI economy.

• Creativity, innovation, and the human edge that machines can’t replace.

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About Sparknify SV Unplugged

Silicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up) is a monthly live studio show with audience produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. Each episode brings together visionary founders, technologists, and creators to discuss bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, humanity, and the future.

🌐 Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest speakers, and how to attend future shows in person.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay plugged in to future episodes of SV Up—where Silicon Valley speaks, unplugged.

#EducationDisrupted #FutureOfLearning #AIinEducation #CollegeAdmissions #ArtificialIntelligence #EdTech #SiliconValley #Sparknify #SVUp

In this episode of Silicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up), we dive into the thrilling world of drone racing — a tech-infused sport where human reflexes and machine speed converge in a high-stakes spectacle. Moderated by Leah Stamm of Sparknify, this live panel features top drone racing champions including Timofey “Din” Germanov, Colby Curtola, Jon Gaiser, and Bryson Hagerman. Together, they explore how FPV (First-Person View) drone racing is evolving from grassroots hobbyist competitions to a mainstream spectator sport, fueled by rapid advancements in drone technology, AI, and immersive media.

Discover what it’s like to fly at 100+ mph through tight turns using nothing but a headset and a joystick. Learn how racing drones differ from commercial ones, how drone pilots train, and how sponsors, media, and leagues are shaping the future of the sport. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a sports fan, or just drone-curious, this panel will give you an inside look at one of the fastest-growing and most visually stunning sports today.

⸻

About Sparknify SV Unplugged

Silicon Valley Unplugged (SV Up) is a monthly live studio show with audience produced by Sparknify, broadcast across the Comcast network in Silicon Valley, and distributed across social and digital platforms. Each episode brings together visionary founders, technologists, and creators to discuss bold ideas at the intersection of innovation, humanity, and the future.

🌐 Visit https://sparknify.com/live-show for information on upcoming episodes, guest speakers, and how to attend future shows in person.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon to stay plugged in to future episodes of SV Up — where Silicon Valley speaks, unplugged.