Southeast Asia has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic hub for startups, capturing the attention of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from around the world. With its rapidly growing economies, young and tech-savvy population, and supportive ecosystem, the region has witnessed a remarkable surge in entrepreneurial activity. Startups in Southeast Asia are at the forefront of driving innovation and disruption in diverse sectors such as eCommerce, FinTech, food delivery, logistics, healthcare, and more. Fuelled by a combination of local talent, foreign investments, and a culture of resilience, these startups are reshaping industries, creating jobs, and contributing to the region’s economic growth.
e27, the leading tech and startup media platform in Asia, is bringing the highly anticipated Echelon Asia Summit 2023 back to the center stage. Set to take place at Singapore EXPO on 14 to 15 June 2023, this two-day event promises to gather a diverse audience of 5,000 attendees from across Asia. The summit will feature over 200 companies, with more than 100 esteemed international speakers sharing their expertise. Echelon Asia Summit aims to facilitate new business connections, unlock fresh opportunities, and foster investment growth within Southeast Asia’s thriving tech ecosystem.
With Southeast Asia’s tech and startup landscape undergoing rapid transformation amidst dynamic economic conditions, this year’s event will focus on the future of the region’s tech ecosystem. Discussions will encompass investment and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) trends, high-growth sectors, and the ever-evolving Southeast Asian market. Over the course of the summit, more than a hundred industry experts will present their insights on Web3, Soonicorns and Changemakers of Southeast Asia, Future Sectors and Investment Trends, M&As, Sustainability, and Growth and Scaling. Alongside informative presentations, attendees can participate in workshops, roundtable discussions, exhibitions, and networking sessions, providing abundant opportunities for startups and investors in Southeast Asia.
“The tech ecosystem over the past ten years has grown thanks to an abundance of investments and a drive towards larger rounds and higher valuations, with little focus on business fundamentals and sustainable growth. A lot of the business models that exist in this region are also adopted from global businesses. One that was particularly done well (in Southeast Asia) is the superapp model that has allowed consumers and also businesses to adopt multiple types of businesses and get locked into what the app is doing for a much deeper and longer time,” according to Mohan Belani, Co-founder and CEO of e27 during my recent interview.
Past editions of the Echelon Asia Summit have attracted founders and C-suite executives from notable startups and venture capital firms such as Grab, Carro, Ninja Van, WeWork, Lazada, Shopback, Lalamove, Altara Ventures, Vertex Ventures, JustCo, Monk’s Hill Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Jungle Ventures.
Among the highlights of the event is the return of the prestigious TOP100 Program, which showcases the region’s most promising startups. Selected from over 500 applicants spanning more than 10 countries, these top-tier startups will pitch their projects to an audience of 5,000 delegates, including the top 25 investors. The TOP100 Program, known for discovering, showcasing, and accelerating the next generation of startups, has been instrumental in launching successful companies such as Tookitaki, 99.co, Pickupp, Aspire, H3 Dynamics, and Glints.
This year, the TOP100 Program has partnered with The SAFE STEPS D-Tech (Disaster Tech) Awards, an initiative by Prudence Foundation. The collaboration aims to identify, fund, and support innovative technology solutions that can save lives during and after natural disasters. Among the 100+ applicants, five finalists will have the opportunity to pitch on the TOP100 Stage for the chance to receive The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards.
“With partnership today, you need to look at it as a business strategy, not as a side project anymore, it’s not a side hustle. Partners are important regardless of where you are, what are your challenges, and your needs in the region. We have seen many of these different partners working together on a more formal business relationship to access markets, access uh assets in different markets,” said Thaddeus Ko, co-founder of E27 and the company’s Head of Platform and Memberships.
e27 also organized a series of meetups across ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines leading to this year’s summit. These gatherings fostered discussions on the local startup landscapes, addressing the challenges faced by Southeast Asia’s high-potential startup and tech ecosystem. While the region is poised for a 4.8% growth in 2023 following economic reopening, factors such as inflation, interest rates, and evolving funding landscapes continue to present obstacles.
Founded in 2007, e27 remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs and providing them with the necessary tools and resources to succeed within Asia’s tech ecosystem. Serving as a go-to platform for connections, insights, funding opportunities, and more, e27 plays a pivotal role in supporting the growth and scalability of startups in the region. With the launch of Echelon Asia Summit 2023, e27 solidifies its position as a catalyst for building billion-dollar companies in Asia.
With an abundance of opportunities and a spirit of relentless innovation, Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurial leaders.