SINGAPORE, June 24 – e27, Asia’s leading tech and startup media platform, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of the Echelon Asia Summit 2023. The event which taking place on 14-15 June 2023 at Singapore EXPO, this two-day event will gather more than 5,000 attendees from across Asia, representing over 200 companies, and featuring renowned speakers from around the world. Echelon Asia Summit serves as a catalyst for startups, fostering new connections, uncovering business opportunities, and facilitating investments in Southeast Asia’s vibrant tech ecosystem.
Under the theme of sustainable growth and impactful businesses solving real-world problems, this year’s summit will explore the future of Southeast Asia’s tech and startup landscape amidst dynamic economic conditions and shifting investment trends. Over the course of two days, the event’s lineup of 100+ expert speakers will delve into topics such as Web3.0, Soonicorns and Changemakers of Southeast Asia, Future Sectors and Investment Trends, M&As, Sustainability, and Growth and Scaling. Alongside workshops, roundtable discussions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, Echelon Asia Summit 2023 promises an abundance of possibilities for startups and investors in Southeast Asia.
In previous editions, Echelon Asia Summit has welcomed influential founders and executives from leading startups and venture capital firms, including Grab, Carro, Ninja Van, WeWork, Lazada, Shopback, Lalamove, Altara Ventures, Vertex Ventures, JustCo, Monk’s Hill Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Jungle Ventures. A highlight of this year’s event is the return of the TOP100 Program, a curated initiative showcasing the region’s most promising startups and providing them with an opportunity to compete for the program championship.
From over 500 applicants representing more than 10 countries, the selected finalists will pitch their projects to an audience of 5,000 delegates, including the top 25 investors. The TOP100 alumni list boasts renowned names such as Tookitaki, 99.co, Pickupp, Aspire, H3 Dynamics, and Glints. Collaborating with The SAFE STEPS D-Tech (Disaster Tech) Awards, created by Prudence Foundation, the TOP100 Program partners will shortlist five startups out of the global pool of applicants to pitch on the prestigious TOP100 Stage.
The SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards aim to discover, fund, and support innovative technology solutions that save lives during natural disasters. Leading up to the summit, e27 organized meetups across ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, facilitating discussions on the local startup landscapes. Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Southeast Asia’s high-potential startup and tech ecosystem is forecasted to grow at 4.8% in 2023 as economies reopen.
However, challenges such as inflation, interest rates, and evolving funding landscapes continue to shape the ecosystem. Mohan Belani, CEO and Co-Founder of e27, emphasized the need for a reset and refocus in the tech ecosystem, stating, “The past year has been a good reset and refocus for Founders and Investors, and this is a good opportunity for the ecosystem to build afresh and plan for the evolution of the ecosystem.
Echelon aims to discuss how the ecosystem can focus on impactful problems and grow in a sustainable manner.” Echelon Asia Summit 2023 promises to be an unparalleled platform for startups, investors, and industry leaders to converge, share insights, and pave the way for a thriving and sustainable tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
