Visit Echelon X to learn more about the program. Get your tickets here!

Building partnerships and collaborations are crucial in the tech startup ecosystem, especially in Southeast Asia, due to the region’s diverse and rapidly evolving market dynamics. Partnerships offer startups access to resources, expertise, and networks that are essential for navigating complex challenges and accelerating growth.

In a region characterised by diverse cultures, languages, and regulatory landscapes, partnerships provide startups with local insights and market knowledge, enabling them to tailor their products and strategies effectively. Moreover, collaborations with established corporations, industry players, and government agencies can open doors to funding opportunities, distribution channels, and mentorship programs, fostering a supportive ecosystem conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.

By collaborating with complementary stakeholders, startups can leverage each other’s strengths, whether it’s technological expertise, customer base, or market reach, to create value-added solutions and gain a competitive edge. Strategic alliances enable startups to pool resources, share risks, and explore new market opportunities that may be challenging to pursue independently. Furthermore, partnerships facilitate knowledge exchange and skill transfer, allowing startups to tap into diverse talent pools and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Also read: Exploring emerging tech at the Future Stage in Echelon X

Ultimately, building strong partnerships and collaborations is not only essential for individual startup success but also contributes to the overall growth and resilience of the tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia.

As such, by its very definition, Forge does not only stand for the coming together of multiple elements. Forge means to create something out of those elements. With this ethos in mind, Echelon X, happening on 15-16 May at the Singapore EXPO, proudly presents the Forge Stage, a platform dedicated to partnership-driven topics and discussions.

Echelon X to catalyse partnerships and collaborations

Echelon X is the 10th edition of the Echelon Asia Summit. At the heart of the summit is our mission as an ecosystem enabler to push for growth and innovation among the Asian startup ecosystem by providing a dynamic platform for collaboration, networking, and knowledge-sharing.

We believe in empowering entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and industry stakeholders to connect, learn, and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Through our events, including the flagship Echelon Asia Summit, we aim to foster a vibrant community where ideas are nurtured, partnerships are forged, and breakthrough innovations are born. By bringing together diverse talents, perspectives, and resources, we strive to fuel the next generation of disruptive startups that will drive economic growth, create jobs, and shape the future of technology in Asia and beyond.

Also read: The first 27 key innovation leaders who will speak at Echelon X

At Echelon Asia Summit, we are committed to supporting the aspirations and endeavours of startups as they embark on their journey to transform industries, solve complex challenges, and make a meaningful impact on society, and we believe that a surefire way to achieve all these things is by opening discussions where ecosystem stakeholders can learn about how to forge meaningful partnerships.

At the Forge Stage, participants can look forward to in-depth discussions and actionable insights on developing relationships with key players such as government, corporates, and VC firms, among others.

Our key industry leaders who will be sharing their insights will spotlight topics ranging from VC 2.0, enabling participants to decode the future of VCs in Southeast Asia, to engineering as an effective go-to-market strategy for the Southeast Asia markets today, to strategies on how founders can smoothly transition out of current startups and make their next move.

These topics are vital to helping ecosystem stakeholders explore opportunities not only for cross-organisational collaborations but also for co-creating innovative solutions that respond to today’s most pressing challenges.

Join us at Echelon X!

Echelon X embodies e27’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem that empowers startups to thrive, investors to find promising opportunities, and stakeholders to contribute to the region’s overall growth.

Get ready for the ultimate tech and innovation conference as Echelon X kicks off on May 15th and 16th, 2024, at the Singapore EXPO. This dynamic event will bring together industry leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and groundbreaking startups from all corners of the region for two packed days.

Also read: The first 26 trailblazing startups of the TOP100 Growth Program 2024

Whether you’re eager to expand your knowledge, network with key players from the tech startup scene, or showcase your innovative ideas, Echelon X offers an unparalleled experience. Join us as a participant or an official partner by securing your spot now on our official page. Together, let’s embark on a journey to shape the future and create a lasting impact.

Join us at Echelon 2024, where innovation knows no limits, and the possibilities are boundless!

The post Echelon X: A platform where partnerships are forged appeared first on e27.

I just finished reading Burn the business plan, Everything we believe that works for startups, does not work. Business planning, enterprise support, ecosystems, mentoring, etc.

Wikipedia

Mentoring has been on my mind. Decided to look up what mentoring means. According to Wikipedia, mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. Apparently, it stemmed from ancient Greek and was inspired by the character of Mentor in Homer’s Odyssey.

Issues

I have some issues with mentoring. It might have to do with my own experiences with mentors, mentor schemes and business using mentors. Most mentors I know of are unemployed consultants or retired managers of big organisations. Most wouldn’t know much about entrepreneurship or small business and as a result, cannot add much value.

Smallbusinesscan

Which was one of the reasons we created www.smallbusinesscan.com, (now www.business-achievers.com) so businesses can interact with other companies and get help from people who have been there and bought the T-shirt?

Also read: 5 lessons “Shark Tank” viewers can apply to business

KPMG

It is what KPMG is now doing with the CEO and SME roundtables. Good old eyeball-to-eyeball conversations amongst owner-managers, CEOs and entrepreneurs, sharing lessons, insight and learning. No social media allowed.

Mismatch

There appears to be a massive mismatch between the business that really need resolved and the capabilities of an assigned mentor. As a result, a huge amount of time is wasted. What can an ex-banker tell you about social media? How can a retired CFO help you with your sales?

Lucky

The truth is also that many entrepreneurs got lucky and would not be able to repeat their success. Luck is not transferable. Always look for the serial entrepreneur who got lucky a few times.

Hands-on

Would you prefer a sales mentor that talks about it or somebody that actually sells for you? Do you want somebody to talk about finance or do you want somebody that can pitch to banks and investors with you? Do you prefer a mentor or a team member?

Non-commital

Which brings me to my biggest issue with mentoring is the non-committal nature. It is too soft, too fluffy and with no accountability for the results. My preference is for an advisory board to which a CEO, founder or entrepreneurs reports on a regular basis. A board filled people that create the creative tension and grit (blood on the boardroom wall) necessary to move a business forward. Swimming with the sharks.

Create a mentor job spec

If you decide to go for a mentor make sure you know who and what you are looking for. Have a problem definition and be clear on the expectations. Write a job spec. Be prepared to say “no” to the mentors that are on offer. Be also prepared to fire the mentor once they have outlasted their usefulness.

Also Read: SEA tech founders playbook: A to Z of becoming a fundraising legend (Part 1)

Get a shark

What I am saying is that mentors could be useful if they are the right ones, can add real value. The wrong mentor will waste your time. Get a shark, not a bunny. Even better, get a shark tank full of piranhas or what the author of Burn the business plan calls a cold circle.

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Image Credit: Moon on Unsplash

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Recently, Indonesia-based BINAR secured an undisclosed funding round from international strategic investors, including Blue7, JN Capital & Growth Advisory, Scala Group, DGS, MD Capital, and NBA star Jeremy Lin.

The participation of these international investors from Singapore, Japan, and the US will push the company’s network, expertise, technology, and business prowess to a higher level as it expands further in the highly promising Indonesian market.

“We plan to use the funding to reorganise the company to reach profitability by innovating new services and products,” says BINAR Co-Founder and CEO Alamanda Shantika in an email interview with e27, stressing that this year, the company plans to focus on innovating in new services and products.

Founded in 2017, BINAR is an edutech company that provides digital skills training through experiential, flipped, project/problem-based and collaborative learning methods. It also teaches students relevant soft skills such as social awareness, critical thinking, creative thinking, leveraging diversity, and collaboration which are increasingly sought after in the tech industry today.

It also included other programmes and services such as bootcamp, digital talent accelerators, digital transformation accelerators for businesses, and talent placement.

Also Read: Singapore Budget 2024: For startups, talents and funding remain key challenges this year

By 2022, BINAR says it has trained more than 130,000 students and involved more than 850 facilitators. Through its BINAR Job Connect service, by 2023, the company says that it has worked with more than 120 employer partners.

In considering the impact that BINAR has made in the lives of tech talents in Indonesia, Shantika points out that despite the high demand, Indonesian tech talents tend to have lower salaries than their Southeast Asian counterparts.

“This is why BINAR aims to improve the standard of Indonesian tech talents by continuously developing world-class curriculum and learning methods. We also perform link-and-match services to companies in Indonesia, Singapore, and the US looking for tech talents. This allows talents to work remotely with sufficient capabilities. This aligns with our goals to turn Indonesia into a global tech talent hub,” she says.

From Jeremy Lin to Indonesian tech talents

One of the highlights of this funding round is the involvement of NBA star Jeremy Lin, known for his performance at leading basketball teams such as the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, LA Lakers, and Toronto Raptors.

He invested in BINAR through JLIN Capital Studio, an investment entity focusing on impact investing in Asia and the US. The firm invests in Southeast Asia’s education, financial services, housing, and agricultural sectors.

Also Read: Future-proofing businesses and talent through technology

Commenting on his involvement in the funding round, Lin shares his vision about equal opportunities. “I believe that empowerment can be achieved through collaborative efforts,” he says. “Everybody deserves the same opportunity to succeed, and I wish to provide more opportunities for Indonesians to build a career in the digital sector.”

BINAR’s connection with Lin began when JLIN Capital Studio Managing Director Robert Kim contacted co-founder Dita Aisyah. The firm recognises the shared vision that the two organisations have.

“Apart from investing in the company, Lin also plays the role of an inspiration for tech talents in Indonesia due to his success in international sports. His story is evidence that one’s background should not prevent one from achieving success; this aligns with BINAR students’ journey in establishing success by working in global tech companies and improving their livelihood. We are making this effort to work with Indonesia’s demographic bonus, improving our employability level, strengthening our identity and positions in the global community,” Shantika says.

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Image Credit: Binar

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Silence Laboratories, a Singapore-based cybersecurity startup focusing on Web3 technologies, has secured an additional US$4.1 million in funding.

The round was led by Pi Ventures and Kira Studio, along with contributions from several prominent angel investors.

The fresh funds will be used to scale the company’s tech and business teams and enrich the company’s R&D pipeline.

Founded in 2021 by Dr Jay Prakash, Dr Andrei Bytes, and Dr Tony Quek, Silence Laboratories focuses on privacy-enhancing technologies through a fusion of cryptography and security engineering for enterprises. It aims to create a global infrastructure that enables privacy-compliant collaboration and exchange, eliminating single points of failure.

Also Read: Protégé Ventures backs food order, delivery automation startup ZOLO

The company’s product offerings, leveraging multi-party computation (MPC) as their core cryptographic primitives, consist of:

• Silent Shard: Empowers enterprises and users to safeguard sensitive private keys and establish advanced authorisation rules.
• Silent Compute: Facilitates collaborative information processing among organisations without exposing their secrets to third parties, enhancing insights while maintaining compliance and trust.

The growing global demand for privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), with a compound annual growth rate of 26.6 per cent, highlights the increasing need for Silence Laboratories’ offerings. These solutions provide mathematical assurances for techno-legal expectations, enabling secure data collaboration across sectors with minimised risk.

“With this new injection of funds, Silence Laboratories is poised to redefine privacy by enabling businesses to fully embrace the power of AI while rigorously protecting their most vital asset — customer trust,” said Prakash, CEO and Founder.

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Fundraising or preparing your startup for fundraising? Build your investor network, search from 400+ SEA investors on e27, and get connected or get insights regarding fundraising. Try e27 Pro for free today.

Image credit: Silence Laboratories

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S&S Lab, a shared research lab and the operator of IRIS Lab in South Korea, has announced a strategic partnership with Singapore’s Farquhar VC (FVC) to foster and deepen relations among Korean and global novel food and biotech startups.

Under this partnership, S&S Lab and Farquhar will collaborate on exchanging innovation ecosystem insights and mutually supporting each other’s biopharma/foodtech portfolio companies.

Also Read: Infobank, Farquhar to help Korean startups seeking global expansion

In particular, Farquhar will recommend S&S Lab as the preferred destination for global biotech startups to establish their R&D operations in North Asia. At the same time, S&S Lab will refer South Korean biotech and complementary-protein startups to the Singaporean VC firm for their growth and expansion needs.

S&S Lab and FVC will work together on future joint initiatives to enable Korean biotech startups to scale globally.

FVC Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer Jason Su commented: “In recent years, we have witnessed many high-quality global biopharma and foodtech ventures head to South Korea in search of new commercial opportunities, while South Korean biotech and novel food scaleups are seeking to expand globally via Singapore. We hope that this collaboration will enable these deeptech companies to accelerate their go-to-market timelines and bring forth their impact to society.”

S&S Lab is a subsidiary of S&S Tech Corp, a semiconductor company listed on the Korea Exchange. As a biotech-focused accelerator, S&S Lab offers physical infrastructure (shared laboratory equipment and facilities) and other services (such as POC verification, R&D tech support, and investment attraction) to grow bio-based ventures.

Also Read: Farquhar VC to help Korean university-affiliated startups to go global

To date, IRIS Lab has onboarded 11 startups, and the company is on track to establish more domestic facilities later this year.

Established in 2020, Farquhar has invested in nearly 40 startups. It has recently undertaken accelerator programmes with government departments such as KISED and the Seoul Business Agency to enable cross-border traction for Korean startups.

In 2024, FVC will invest in high-growth Korean startups via its Green Future Fund.

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X marks Echelon. Join us at Singapore EXPO on May 15-16 for the 10th edition of Asia’s leading tech and startup conference. Enjoy 2 days of building connections with potential investors, partners, and customers, exploring innovation, and sharing insights with 8,000+ key decision-makers of Asia’s tech ecosystem. Get your tickets here.

Want more from your Echelon experience? Be an Echelon X sponsor or exhibitor. Send enquiry here.

The post Farquhar, Korea’s S&S Lab collaborate to support biotech, foodtech startups appeared first on e27.