A still from e27’s Top100 event in 2019
The TOP100 programme, created by e27 to provide early-stage startups with access to a platform that facilitates connections for partnerships, funding opportunities, and more in the Asia Pacific, returns this year.
Since its inception, the TOP100 pitching competition has brought the best-in-class early-stage startups to showcase and pitch onstage across various cities in Southeast Asia.
Past winners and participants include 99.co, Softinn, and Carousell.
After a three-year hiatus, the 2023 programme will evolve and leverage on e27’s Pro Connect platform, which has powered close to 20,000 online connections between startups and investors since 2020.
The 2023 TOP100 programme and meetups will adopt a hybrid format of conducting the application and scoring online while retaining an element of evening networking offline in major Southeast Asia cities.
Two key updates would include a special category for disaster tech (D-Tech) solutions as partnered and supported by Prudence Foundation’s SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards, and the second being the inclusion of Web3.0 startups, particularly projects targeting Web2.0 tech companies as their users or customers.
Also Read: Sarawak shows off startup scene in final TOP100 stop
Thaddeus Koh, Co-Founder of e27, said: “Expanding our reach beyond key cities, TOP100’s decision to conduct the initial pitching and showcase elements online opens up a world of opportunities for startups across Asia. This shift allows us to showcase a wider range of innovation and technology and provide resources and fundraising opportunities to startups that may have been previously out of reach. We’re excited to bring the spotlight to startups from all corners of the region and highlight their solutions to the world.”
Throughout the selection period, all TOP100 participants will have e27 Pro Connect access, which allows them to connect with and pitch to 500+ verified investors on the e27 platform.
From the participants, 100 best-in-class startups will be selected to showcase at Echelon Asia Summit 2023 to exhibit in the TOP100 section and pitch in the crowd-favourite TOP100 Stage. Many will proceed to raise additional rounds of funding in the next 18 months to achieve their growth-stage status.
“TOP100 has always been a programme that facilitates startups’ connections with stakeholders who can best help their business. By giving the participants access to e27 Pro Connect and showcasing the semi-finalists during Echelon, we aim to help kickstart and boost their fundraising journey,” said Koh.
Interested startups can first apply through the TOP100 website.
Echelon Asia Summit is bringing together APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore. The conference is scheduled from 14-15 June in Singapore. In 2023, the two-day conference is expected to draw in crowds of over 5,000 to discuss the latest in innovation, entrepreneurship, funding and more.
Echelon Asia Summit is e27’s flagship tech conference, bringing APAC’s startup ecosystem together to gain insights, build connections and meet talent from all over Asia. Explore how startups, investors, corporates and government bodies work together across borders to tackle similar challenges and pressing issues and empower the larger ecosystem to build the Future of Asia. Gather meaningful insights from industry leaders and stakeholders through stage discussions; build connections within the industry with over 300 exhibition booths. As Asia’s leading platform for tech startups and investments for 13 years now, Echelon Asia Summit will take on cross-border engagements, talent growth, and showcasing APAC’s emerging and leading companies from the heart of Singapore.
Founded in 2007, e27 has a strong mandate to give all entrepreneurs a winning chance to succeed, providing them with relevant tools and resources to build and scale their companies in Asia’s tech ecosystem. e27 provides a go-to platform for connections, insights, funding, and more — everything you need to build a billion-dollar company.
For media queries, please contact The Echelon Team.
Email: echelon@e27.co
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TOP100 is back! Get the chance to connect with hundreds of investors, showcase your startup at Echelon, pitch on the TOP100 stage, and access special programs. Find out what’s new in TOP100 and join here: https://bit.ly/TOP100_2023.
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