And that’s a wrap for Echelon X! Over the two-day event, we have experienced an incredible journey filled with excitement fueled by our common desire for, innovation, growth, and meaningful connections. We hope you are now feeling rested and amid the post-Echelon blues.

Echelon X brought together a vibrant community of forward-thinkers, industry leaders, and passionate individuals, all eager to share ideas and forge new paths in their respective fields. It was our distinct pleasure to facilitate these interactions and to witness the dynamic connections and collaborations that emerged.

As we reflect on the highlights and memorable moments of Echelon X, we are filled with gratitude for your participation and enthusiasm. Echelon X would not have been possible without our community. Your energy and engagement were key to making this event a standout success. Moreover, we look forward to continuing this journey together, fostering the relationships and innovations that were sparked during the two-day event, and bracing for the challenges of the future together as a community.

Thank you for being a part of Echelon X. Let’s keep the momentum going as we move forward, inspired and ready to embrace the future.

Echelon X by the numbers

With the success of Echelon X, we reflect on some important numbers from the event. The two-day conference was graced by over 7,000 attendees, 35 sponsors, 110 connections forged at the EC Connect, 50 TOP100 startups, 65 exhibitors, 60 partners, 18 panels, 8 keynotes, 8 side rooms, 21 fireside chats, 12 Speakzone sessions, 154 speakers, and 9 startup showcases.

Among its esteemed attendees was Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore, who offered passionate words during his opening address at the Future stage held on day 1 where he presented the initiatives and partnerships that Singapore has done to support the tech ecosystem.

“The future is here, and it’s exciting. We want to partner with all of you to grow the ecosystem in Singapore and support the broader growth of the digital economy in the region and beyond,” shared Mr Tan. The senior minister also took time to go around the conference hall, visiting several exhibition booths at the AI Zone, and engaging with different delegates at the e27 Pavilion.

A showcase of government initiatives across SEA

On day 0, participants of the TOP100 Growth Program had the invaluable opportunity to meet and connect with representatives from various government agencies across Southeast Asia. This unique interaction facilitated discussions on market access opportunities and provided insights into the support available for startups looking to expand in the region.

The participating government agencies included prominent organisations such as the National Innovation Agency (NIA) of Thailand, the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) from Malaysia, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (KOMINFO) of Indonesia, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) from the Philippines. These agencies play crucial roles in fostering innovation, digital transformation, and economic development within their respective countries.

Partnerships and future endeavour

Echelon X also offered a glimpse into exciting partnerships and upcoming projects surrounding the APAC tech startup ecosystem, including the announcement of the third edition of Ideathon: 2040 Extended Intelligence, hosted by the Taiwan Government Agency Ministry of Digital Affairs, MODA. Another exciting project on the horizon is the first-ever Echelon Philippines, hosted by e27 in partnership with Brainsparks. Lastly, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between e27 and the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) during Echelon X day 2.

Keynote sessions, fireside chats, and panel discussions

We kicked off with Dr Ayesha Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Addo AI, as she walked us through the ways businesses in Southeast Asia are leveraging generative AI technologies to drive digital transformation during her keynote session entitled “Digital Transformation for Southeast Asian Businesses Using Generative AI”, a segment that explores how businesses in Southeast Asia are leveraging generative AI technologies to drive digital transformation. This session will delve into the various applications of generative AI, such as natural language processing, image generation, and creative content production, and how these technologies are revolutionising industries across the region.

“They want to know how to embed Generative AI throughout the organisation. Is this happening already? Ninety-nine per cent of companies don’t do this. So, that’s a huge opportunity. Essentially, our goal and mission is not to compete, but to complement,” shared Dr Ayesha Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Addo AI

Echelon X featured thirteen engaging panel discussions spread across three stages, where our expert panelists delved into a variety of pertinent topics such as healthtech, sustainable hustling, and the venture capital landscape in Southeast Asia.

One of the most well-attended sessions was “Sustainable Hustling and Resilience for Startup Entrepreneurs: Tactics Founders Have Implemented to Reduce Burnout and Play the Long Game When Building Their Startups.” This insightful discussion brought together a distinguished group of panellists, including Joan Low, Founder and CEO of Thoughtfull; Jx Lye, Founder and CEO of Acme Technology; Even Heng, Founder and CEO of Zenith Learning Group; and Henry Motte de la Motte, Founder and CEO of EDGE Tutor. The session was expertly moderated by Terence Chia, Co-Founder of Folklory.

During this panel, the speakers shared their personal experiences and strategies for maintaining resilience while building successful startups. They discussed practical tactics for reducing burnout, such as implementing effective time management practices, prioritising mental health, and fostering supportive workplace cultures. The panellists also emphasised the importance of sustainable growth, advocating for a balanced approach that considers both business expansion and the well-being of team members.

Echelon X featured seven captivating fireside chats, where moderators engaged with speakers to ask the burning questions on everyone’s minds. These intimate conversations offered a deep dive into the journeys, challenges, and thought processes behind some of the most inspiring startup stories in the industry.

One standout session entitled, “Global Market Expansion: A Spotlight on Patsnap’s AI Story,” which featured Guan Dian, Co-Founder, APAC General Manager, and CMO of PatSnap, in conversation with Caela Tanjanco, Director of Endeavor Catalyst. Together, they explored PatSnap’s remarkable journey from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global market leader in innovation, research, and development.

During this session, Guan Dian shared the origins of PatSnap, detailing how the company identified a significant gap in the market for accessible and comprehensive intellectual property and R&D intelligence. He discussed the initial challenges faced by the founding team, including securing funding, developing a robust technological platform, and establishing a foothold in a competitive industry.

This fireside chat, like the others, provided attendees with a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a successful startup, revealing the perseverance, creativity, and strategic thinking required to achieve global leadership. The session was not only informative but also deeply inspirational, offering valuable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike.

A strong showing at the TOP100 Growth Program

From hundreds of applications, fifty exceptional startups were selected to participate on stage. The competition was intense, but ultimately, the top 10 startups of the TOP100 Growth Program were announced at the Pitch Stage.

Following the awards ceremony, the spotlight turned to the top 10: AltoTech Global, Edge Tutor, HeyMax, MFast, Nirog Street, NonPublic, Pharmint, Priyo Shop, Shoppable Business, and Spacely AI. Each of these innovative companies took to the stage to present and showcase their groundbreaking solutions, highlighting the unique value they bring to their respective industries.

A great big thank you to our partners and sponsors

Last but certainly not least, as mentioned, none of this would have been possible without the community we have built and nurtured, and a big part of that community is the partnerships we have forged with those who share our mission to empower today’s entrepreneurs. As such, we would like to thank the following partners and sponsors for their undying support.

We look forward to joining you all on your journey towards growth and innovation, and we are excited to see what you have in store. With much love, the e27 team.

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