Echelon Singapore is Southeast Asia’s premier tech and startup conference, hosted annually by e27. It serves as a dynamic hub for startups, investors, and other businesses to connect, collaborate on opportunities in innovation and growth. Building on Echelon’s ten-year success, Echelon Philippines (ECPH) brought the same spirit of innovation to the local ecosystem. It emphasised the unique challenges and opportunities of the Philippine market. ECPH underscores the growing importance of the Philippines as a hub for tech innovation in Southeast Asia.

As we prepare for Echelon 2025, we are looking back at some of our partners who have made this event a resounding success. One of our most significant partners is Gateway of Asia, a unique corporate services provider whose ecosystem is known for fostering connections and collaboration across the region. This enduring partnership showcases how fostering a dynamic community becomes easier when like-minded organisations work together. Their involvement also underscores the value of cross-border partnerships in driving regional growth and innovation.

Reaching stakeholders at Echelon and ECPH

“Gateway of Asia views its role in strengthening the startup ecosystem in Asia as a critical one,”  explained Gateway of Asia CEO Elaine Lai. The company believes that fostering innovation, providing essential resources, and facilitating seamless cross-border operations are key. As a result, they are able to empower new businesses to succeed in competitive markets. Gateway of Asia recognises the challenges startups face in dynamic and diverse markets, particularly across Asia. Thus, it commits to supporting growth through a founder-first approach, tailored solutions and strategic partnerships. 

Gateway of Asia understands the complexities of navigating multiple regulatory environments, compliance requirements, and local market dynamics. Tos solve this, he company offers guidance, services, and networks to help overcome these barriers. Participation in events like Echelon and ECPH has been instrumental in forging valuable strategic relationships. This is true particularly with legal, tax, and financial service providers that support cross-border transactions. These alliances enable Gateway of Asia to offer broad, holistic and comprehensive services for their clients as they grow and expand. This ensures their clients are equipped for success in the region.

e27’s established network and reach within the APAC region position it as a key influencer in the tech ecosystem. The platform’s influence is reflected in its ability to connect a diverse range of stakeholders. It brings together investors and corporate leaders. e27 provides invaluable visibility for startups looking to scale across borders. e27’s community is built on dynamic, cross-industry partnerships that foster collaboration and growth. Further, it facilitates access to a network of potential partners and investors. Certainly, e27 plays a pivotal role in supporting startups’ visibility and helping them navigate the complexities of the APAC market.

Also read: Streamlining corporate administration with Gateway of Asia

Building a community with e27 and Gateway of Asia

“Supporting events like Echelon has significantly enhanced Gateway of Asia’s visibility among startups, investors, and corporate leaders in the APAC region by positioning us as a key player in the start-up ecosystem and a trusted partner for business growth,” said Elaine. These opportunities offer Gateway of Asia the chance to showcase its platform, ecosystem and services to a highly relevant audience. As a result, it reinforces its commitment to driving innovation and fostering economic growth across the region.

In addition to visibility, Echelon enabled Gateway of Asia to build valuable strategic relationships. This partnership provides access to a broad network of potential partners and clients. As a result, it fosters collaborations that align with Gateway of Asia’s mission to facilitate cross-border trade and innovation. Through these connections, Gateway of Asia is able to support the startup ecosystem. It provides the resources and opportunities needed to help businesses thrive in competitive markets. Elaine added that Gateway of Asia plans to deepen its collaboration with e27. This partnership is poised to further advance innovation and cross-border collaborations throughout the APAC region.

“These events not only enhance visibility but also offer direct engagement with key stakeholders—startups, investors, corporates, and ecosystem builders—who play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business landscape,” Elaine reflected. By leveraging these platforms, Gateway of Asia drives strategic initiatives that will continue to foster growth and innovation across the region.

Also read: e27 is driving innovation in APAC’s startup ecosystem with Sendbird

e27’s commitment to partners and the community

Gateway of Asia’s expansion plans in the APAC region focus on enhancing its presence and fostering innovation through strategic partnerships. “With regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, we will open two more offices in the Philippines and Indonesia in 2025. We will roll out more products and services to better support start-ups and our community,” Elaine said. These offices will provide tailored services, including assistance with incorporation, compliance, legal, tax, and payroll management, ensuring seamless operations across borders. Additionally, Gateway of Asia will launch the Gateway Knowledge Hub in early 2025. The hub will offer startups valuable market insights, regulatory updates, and best practices. In doing so, the company will help them navigate regional complexities and make informed strategic decisions.

e27 is committed to empowering partners like Gateway of Asia by providing tailored support that aligns with their strategic goals. Through event partnerships, access to new markets, and enhanced visibility within the APAC startup ecosystem, e27 fosters meaningful collaborations that drive growth and innovation. With its established network and expertise, e27 helps partners navigate the dynamic tech landscape, connect with key stakeholders, and unlock opportunities across borders. For organisations aiming to amplify their impact in the region, e27 offers a proven platform to achieve success.

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This article is produced by the e27 team

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Early this year, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking ranked Singapore first out of 67 countries as the most competitive economy across the world’s eight major regions. Singapore excelled strongly in economic performance and infrastructure, including human resource availability to meet business needs.

While achieving success is hard, sustaining success is even harder. For Singapore to maintain its competitiveness, the country needs to go above and beyond by embracing new advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), helping workers reskill, and supporting business transformation. 

Fortunately, Singapore already has ambitious plans to position itself as a global hub for AI, as articulated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the refreshed National AI Strategy. However, despite its strategic advantages – an ideal location, robust digital infrastructure, and supportive government policies – local tech talent scarcity can potentially hinder progress. This is where tapping on global talent can play a key role in propelling AI advancement and ushering in a new era of competitiveness. 

Despite the strong push for AI outlined by Singapore’s National AI Strategy, the nation still is plagued by challenges in landing the right talent with the right skills. A study conducted by Oliver Wyman and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed difficulties in sourcing strong AI talent for various positions, including principal data engineers, data analysts, lead AI scientists, and more. Overcoming challenges in sourcing top AI talent will be crucial for Singapore to realise its vision and maintain its status on the global stage.

Given this outlook, the democratisation of employment as a result of globalisation can become a powerful tool for both Singaporean companies and the country as a whole. A company can increase its chances of finding the right talent with highly specialised skills by expanding the talent pool outside of the country. Global hiring is an approach that companies worldwide and in Singapore are looking to adopt.

According to Deel’s recent Singapore Business Leader Pulse Check: Talent Landscape research, more than 9 in 10 (93 per cent) of large organisations in Singapore are open to recruiting talent from outside the country.  Talent exists everywhere in the world, and companies are increasingly becoming aware of this. 

Also Read: Why inclusive hiring matters for a startup ecosystem

With global hiring, local companies that are experiencing skill shortages can benefit from finding talent abroad. For instance, they are able to alleviate the burden of finding the right talent while enabling knowledge and skills transfer to existing employees.

In fact, the same report also finds that skills transfer is among the most sought-after benefits, with 58 per cent of organisations surveyed considering it an advantage of global hiring. This can help fast-track reskilling and upskilling of the existing local workforce to ensure they are equipped with the right skills to stay active in this competitive digital economy. 

As a result, it creates a chain reaction that allows the nation to flourish economically. According to the World Economic Forum, a competitive economy boosts productivity, leading to growth, higher income levels, and improved well-being. By enhancing the country’s competitiveness, it can attract more global investors, foster a thriving business environment, and drive sustainable economic growth, ultimately improving the well-being of the country and its citizens.

Also Read: Hiring for your startup: The 5 key attributes of entrepreneur archetypes

Additionally, the new way of working such as hybrid or remote work has also removed barriers for high-skilled talent, who are no longer limited by geography. In this landscape, individuals can now choose where they want to live and how they wish to work.

New online tools have also been developed to address the challenge of scarce talent in specific locations, using technology to eliminate the borders between regions with abundant skilled workers and enabling businesses to hire, pay, and manage these talent seamlessly.

If a country with high competitiveness lacks the necessary talent to propel or maintain its position, it is vital to expand options. Echoing the National AI Strategy, it is imperative for Singapore to leverage its international networks and collaborate with top talent around the world to address the complex challenges facing AI today.

If Singapore broadens its horizons, it not only benefits individuals within the country but also enhances, if not maintains, its global competitiveness. 

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One of the biggest shifts I’ve experienced in my career was moving from the role of an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. It wasn’t just a change in job title or responsibilities; it was a profound shift in how I approached work, challenges, and success.

As an employee, much of my work was guided by external expectations—whether from managers, organisational goals, or the company’s broader mission. Entrepreneurship, however, is different. You are responsible for creating the vision, setting the direction, and navigating every twist and turn along the way.

The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur required me to take full ownership of every decision I made. While working for someone else offers a degree of structure and predictability, entrepreneurship is often less predictable and more demanding. It requires agility, creativity, and resilience on a scale that I had not previously encountered.

But this shift is also incredibly empowering. The freedom to build something of your own and the autonomy to make key decisions is exhilarating.

Another key difference in this shift is how you measure success. As an employee, success is often tied to meeting performance metrics, achieving short-term goals, or receiving recognition from peers and managers. As an entrepreneur, success is self-defined.

It’s no longer about meeting someone else’s expectations; it’s about fulfilling your own vision and aspirations. Every milestone, from closing a new deal to solving a complex problem, feels more personal and meaningful when it’s driven by your own efforts and strategy.

Also Read: Unlikely mentors: What kids can teach you about entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship also taught me the importance of resilience. There will be setbacks, moments of doubt, and unexpected challenges. But with the right mindset, these obstacles can be turned into opportunities for growth. The entrepreneurial journey is one that constantly tests your patience, adaptability, and determination.

By moving from the role of an employee to an entrepreneur, I learned that the mindset of ownership, autonomy, and resilience is essential for building a successful business.

Key takeaways

• The shift from employee to entrepreneur involves taking complete ownership of your career and decisions, requiring a new level of autonomy, creativity, and resilience.
• Success in entrepreneurship is self-defined, with personal milestones and achievements feeling more meaningful and aligned with your own vision.
• Building resilience and adaptability is key to navigating the unpredictability and challenges of entrepreneurship.

Identify and set your next milestone towards achieving your vision. Celebrate your progress and use it as motivation to continue moving forward. What milestone can you set and achieve today?

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In the lead-up to the celebration of World Environment Day, it is important to consider how blockchain and regenerative finance is supporting a greener future. 

Let’s start with some facts to give us a sense of why working towards a more sustainable future is vital. Our planet loses 80,000 acres of rainforest every day, having devastating effects on the most vulnerable communities. We are losing 1.2 trillion tons of ice each year, which is the equivalent of the weight of all human-made things. Did you know that many places on Earth may become too hot to live in? This could have catastrophic consequences as annual temperatures continue to rise. 

As our natural environments continue to suffer at the hands of human destruction, how can governments encourage a more positive approach to economic development? The first thing is to recognise the urgency of our environmental needs, and the second is to use emerging tech to provide necessary insights into how best to tackle these large-scale problems. 

Several groundbreaking Web3 projects are already in progress, leading the way in reshaping our relationship with the environment. The power of blockchain technology to extrapolate information in a timely, secure and transparent format makes positive action attainable to all green-related projects. 

Transparent production supply

Blockchain technology enables the creation of transparent supply chains, providing consumers with accurate information about the origin and supply credentials of products. By leveraging blockchain’s immutability and decentralised nature, stakeholders can track and verify the environmental and social impact of goods throughout the supply chain.

Also Read: Echelon 2022: How startups should approach ESG opportunities

This empowers consumers to make informed choices. Celo is a blockchain provider with a long-term focus on providing access to these solutions and supporting projects where positive environmental impact plays a key feature in their roadmap. 

Another project ahead of the curve is Ethichub. They are working directly with farming communities and investors. Using a ReFi protocol, it is revolutionising access to capital for unbanked farmers. Through its crowdlending platform, EthicHub enables these farmers to secure loans at affordable interest rates, creating a win/win situation where all parties involved reap the benefits of their interactions. Since its launch in June 2018, the platform has successfully facilitated over US$3 million in microloans.

Demonstration of data integrity and environmental monitoring

By storing environmental data on an immutable blockchain ledger, stakeholders can ensure the integrity of information related to pollution levels, biodiversity, climate change, and other crucial environmental indicators. Blockchain technology can enhance data integrity.

Combined with decentralised governance mechanisms, this is a powerful tool for ensuring sustainable decisions are maintained, and it guarantees the inclusion of a range of stakeholders. Flare Network’s state connector enables the trustless exchange of data from other blockchains, which should pave the way for enhanced collaboration when tackling issues like refi.

Another notable organisation working on climate-based blockchain solutions is BxC, a coalition of activities and industry leaders collaborating to establish principles for impactful blockchain initiatives addressing the climate crisis. 

This collaborative approach can foster sustainable practices, as decentralised organisations can prioritise environmental considerations and align their activities with shared sustainability goals.

Education and awareness using the metaverse

The metaverse can serve as a powerful platform for environmental education and raising awareness. It can also act as a platform for exploring new business models. Upland, a metaverse based on real-world geography, allows entrepreneurs to test start-ups in a virtual environment through their Metaventures programme.

The metaverse offers a unique space to provide a greater understanding of complex environmental issues and inspire others to adopt more sustainable practices in the real world. Using the metaverse, we can encourage environmental responsibility. 

Also Read: How to navigate the investment opportunity in climate tech sector

Using NFT technology to track climate impact

Integrating NFTs with regenerative finance can help create sustainable ways to track our actions. By embedding relevant data in each NFT, we can track the climate impact generated by the underlying project. This data can include metrics such as carbon emissions reduction.

GEIA, the Global Ecological Investment Agency, is developing Geoblocs to provide NFTs as a way for individuals to invest in sustainable farming. This platform will enable individuals to get hands-on with the green-friendly projects that they wish to support. 

Another example is a project called Plastiks, a greentech company focused on revolutionising plastic recovery and recycling rates worldwide. The platform empowers companies to combat plastic pollution head-on by sponsoring the recovery of plastic waste across the globe. Using blockchain technology to meticulously track every piece of plastic, ensuring it never finds its way into a landfill. 

Not only can investors track their contributions to climate-positive activities, but it also allows the everyday consumer to get involved in new incentive mechanisms to support regenerative agriculture. 

There are many other ways that blockchain technology is contributing to our greener future. The tokenisation of excess energy, trading of carbon credits and supporting peer-to-peer energy sharing are three more innovations that many projects are engaged with.

Emerging technologies are allowing investors to align their values with their capital. Impact investing and funding through regenerative finance is only in its infancy but shows vast promise when considering the allocation of finance to our most precious resources. 

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This article was first published on June 5, 2023

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When non-renewable resources (such as minerals) are extracted and processed for insulation, it damages habitats and raises greenhouse gas emissions. Similar to this, energy-intensive energy sources sourced from fossil fuels provide significant amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, aggravating climate change.

While inappropriate insulation disposal and a lack of recycling choices cause environmental challenges and waste management problems, the production of foams and synthetic insulation uses blowing agents that generate strong greenhouse gases. I think the sector should emphasise energy-efficient production processes, sustainable sourcing, and increased recycling programs to address these issues.

Adopting eco-friendly insulation can benefit many industries, including cold chain, construction, energy, and more. 

Cold chain

By using environmentally friendly insulation, the storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and food products stand to benefit significantly.

First off, using materials with strong heat resistance boosts energy efficiency, cutting down on operating expenses. Additionally, good insulation guarantees dependable temperature regulation, protecting the effectiveness of expensive goods.

The industry can lower its carbon footprint and adhere to sustainability objectives by using eco-friendly insulation created from renewable resources. Cost reductions are achieved through reduced energy use and operational costs for things like freight and cooling systems. 

Construction

Adopting environmentally friendly insulation would have a number of advantages for the construction industry. One is a reduction in the amount of energy used for heating and cooling due to heat transfer and air leakage. This results in lower energy costs and a smaller environmental effect.

High-performance insulation also makes living and working spaces more comfortable and healthy by maintaining superior indoor air quality, improving thermal comfort, and reducing noise transmission.

By making buildings more durable and lowering maintenance requirements and waste production, these materials help construction projects adhere to sustainability certifications, satisfy legal requirements, and meet the expanding market demand for environmentally friendly structures. 

The future of insulation: Unveiling the power of Aerogel

A cutting-edge insulating material known for its remarkable qualities, aerogel’s distinctive nanoporous structure consists mostly of air or gas. This framework has an extraordinarily low density and comprises a three-dimensional network of connected solid particles. 

Aerogel represents a significant improvement over current insulation materials for several reasons. The first is that it has a very low thermal conductivity thanks to its nanoporous structure, which efficiently reduces heat transmission for improved thermal insulation. The light weight and thinness of aerogel are another benefit.

Aerogel is remarkably effective as an insulator but is also exceedingly light and can be produced in a variety of shapes. This high quality gives it adaptability for a range of applications, including electronics, transportation, aircraft, and building. Additionally, the structure of the material confers considerable moisture resistance, reducing the risk of moisture-related damage. 

Also Read: Biotech is set to push new frontiers in precision oncology therapeutics

In addition, aerogel has a remarkable ability to withstand fire and extremely high temperatures without losing its structural integrity. It can be created utilising recycled materials and produced from abundant, renewable resources like silica obtained from sand, which would align it with sustainability objectives.

Applications spanning different industries

Aerogel’s exceptional thermal insulation performance, lightweight nature, versatility, moisture resistance, fire resistance, and eco-friendliness make it a highly desirable choice for a wide range of applications in industries where long-term reliable insulation, space savings, and energy savings are critical. 

Aerogel applications include thermal runaway prevention in Lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicle industry, fire-resistant and thermal insulation coating, pipeline insulation in energy infrastructure, oil and gas, marine, aerospace, and automotive industries, thermal apparel, light-weight and thermally insulating concrete/cement foam, render/plaster, and daylighting applications in the construction and building industries.

Global megatrends calling for innovation in insulation sectors

Sustainability and environmental awareness

Growing environmental awareness and the urgency to address climate change have increased the demand for sustainable solutions across industries. Buildings and infrastructure are increasingly being scrutinised for their carbon footprints and environmental impact. Premium eco-friendly insulation supports these goals by providing energy-efficient and environmentally responsible alternatives.

Energy efficiency and green building standards

Energy efficiency has become a critical factor in construction and design. Green building codes encourage the use of insulating materials that improve energy efficiency and prevent heat loss or gain. Premium eco-friendly insulation products exceed these exacting standards by delivering superior thermal insulation and contributing to energy-efficient building envelopes.

Net-zero and low-carbon initiatives

The global transition to net-zero and low-carbon economies has increased demand for insulating solutions that help to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Premium eco-friendly insulation is critical to meeting energy efficiency goals and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure.

Health and indoor environmental quality

Because of the rising emphasis on occupant health and well-being, there is a greater demand for insulating materials that prioritise indoor environmental quality. Premium eco-friendly insulating products frequently have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and reduce the discharge of dangerous compounds, thereby improving indoor air quality and creating better living and working environments.

Urbanisation and infrastructure development

Rapid urbanisation and infrastructural growth need the use of environmentally friendly building materials, such as insulation. Premium eco-friendly insulation meets the demand for efficient and ecologically conscious construction techniques as cities grow and new structures are developed.

Also Read: Life in plastic, it’s not fantastic: Unearthing the solutions (Part 3)

Green policies that don’t hit your bottom line

Businesses can embrace green policies without jeopardising their financial success by using solutions that promote sustainability while also delivering cost savings and commercial benefits. Here are a few ideas:

Energy efficiency

Improving energy efficiency has the potential to cut operational expenses considerably. Energy audits can be performed by businesses to identify areas of energy waste and adopt actions such as improving lighting systems, establishing smart energy management systems, and optimising HVAC systems. Energy-efficient measures not only reduce environmental effects but also save money in the long run.

Waste reduction and recycling

Trash reduction and recycling programs can reduce trash disposal expenses while also potentially generating cash through recycling initiatives. Businesses may reduce garbage transported to landfills, conserve resources, and improve their environmental performance by employing effective waste management procedures.

Supply chain optimisation

Collaboration with sustainable suppliers and the use of green procurement strategies can improve the supply chain’s sustainability. Businesses can decrease environmental risks, improve their reputation, and contribute to overall sustainability goals by selecting suppliers who share their environmental values.

Product innovation and sustainable design

Integrating sustainability into product development and design can result in competitive benefits and increased customer appeal. Businesses may meet consumer demand for sustainable solutions and differentiate themselves in the market by designing products with eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency features, and recyclability.

Employee engagement and education

Encouraging staff engagement and providing sustainability education can help to develop an organisational culture of environmental responsibility. Employees can share their ideas for green initiatives, energy conservation, and trash reduction. Employees who are engaged are more likely to support and implement green policies, resulting in better sustainability outcomes.

Government incentives and grants

Many governments offer incentives and rewards to enterprises that embrace environmentally friendly practices. Investigating and utilising these programs can assist in offsetting initial expenses and making green efforts more financially viable.

By implementing these strategies, businesses can adopt green policies while realising cost savings, operational efficiencies, improved brand reputation, and enhanced competitiveness. The integration of sustainability into core business practices can be both financially and environmentally beneficial, enabling businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape that prioritises environmental responsibility.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic

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This article was first published on June 19, 2023

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