This paper presents a novel thermoelectric energy harvesting boost converter with PV-cell-assisted startup. A miniature PV cell is employed to provide initial high voltage and the startup process includes two consecutive phases. The proposed system is designed and simulated in a 0.18 um BCD process. Simulation results show that the lowest startup voltage is 10 mV and the corresponding startup time is about 250 ms. Additionally, maximum power point tracking and zero current switching techniques are adopted in the system to achieve 91% peak efficiency.