Startup Asia is back under a new moniker — Tech in Asia Singapore 2015. In a bold rebrand, the online technology news startup is making the popular startup conference bigger than before, showcasing more startups, more delegates attending, and more speakers.
“Given the last recordbreaking turnout at our Jakarta edition of Tech in Asia, and the lineup of new initiatives, I fully expect Tech in Asia Singapore 2015 to smash more records,” says Andrew Wang, Tech in Asia’s head of business development and events.
The event is a staple for many in the startup community, and will bring back familiar events like Speed Dating, Arena, as well as new ones like Investor Lounge and Night Crawl. It has grown significantly from its first conference back in 2012: back then, it showcased 70 product-ready startups, and by 2014, the number had grown to over a hundred. This year’s event features over 250 startups, making it one of the most popular startup events in Asia.
The 2015 edition will be held at the Suntec Convention Centre on 6 and 7 May, and here’s what to expect.
Startup-Investor Speed Dating
To ensure that startups get a chance to have one-on-one time with investors, the Tech in Asia conference will be setting up speed dating pavilions, where startups will get to present their elevator pitches to over 35 investors.
Arena
This is one of the major highlights of the Tech in Asia Conference. 10 of the top startups from across Asia will be picked from a pool of entries, and they will compete for bragging rights — their startup’s name engraved on the Tech in Asia Singapore Champion Trophy — and a cash prize of US$15,000.
In the final Arena battle held on 7 May, Arena contestants will pitch live to investors on a stage for all to see.
Bootstrap Alley
Bootstrap Alley is a popular aspect of the convention, with more than 100 startups exhibited there for the opportunity to talk to investors, the media, and corporates. This year, Bootstrap Alley will be free to startups for a day, and Tech in Asia is expecting to showcase over 250 exciting startups — more than twice the number exhibited in Jakarta.
Keynotes And Fireside Chats
Tech in Asia has more than 40 speakers lined up to hold Keynote speeches about industry trends and growth tactics, and Fireside chats where you can pick the brains of industry experts about their startup journey and how to tackle challenges in yours.
Currently, the list of confirmed speakers includes Kevin Hale (Y Combinator), Ray Chan (9GAG), Anthony Tan (GrabTaxi), Khailee Ng (500 Startups), and Steven Leonard (IDA, Singapore).
There will also be a Kickstart Stage, where you can hear from country-specific experts on how to expand into different markets in Asia, from Japan to Indonesia to Australia.
Night Crawl
This newest addition happens after hours. Once the talks and mingling is over, they break out the alcohol and it’s a no-holds-barred party into the night. Continue to meet new people, make great connections, and possibly make deals overnight!