Asia, a hub for some of the world’s leading startup ecosystems including Singapore City, Tokyo-Yokohama Area, Taipei City, and Shanghai, offers a wealth of opportunities for meaningful connections. Startup conferences in this region are gateways to understanding local ecosystems, engaging with key stakeholders, and forging new partnerships. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, part of a startup, a corporation, or a government representative, the following list highlights the best startup events in Asia that you shouldn’t miss.
Top Startup Events in Asia
1. Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH)
Location: Singapore City, Singapore
SWITCH, the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology, assembles a diverse mix of global leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, accelerators, and investors from the Global-Asia innovation network. It serves as a dynamic platform for the sharing of ideas, fostering vibrant networks, and showcasing innovation-focused activities, with an emphasis on sectors like healthcare & biomedical sciences, smart cities & urban solutions, trade & connectivity, and emerging sustainable technologies. Marking its eighth year in 2023, SWITCH returns featuring various innovative programmes. These include the SLINGSHOT startup pitching finals, a stage dedicated to sectoral thought leadership, sessions for market access, and extensive industry exhibitions and roundtable discussions.
2. Tech in Asia Conference
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Jakarta, Indonesia
The Tech in Asia Conference, an event uniting Asia-Pacific’s startup and tech communities, is set to be hosted twice in a single year for the first time in 2024. This flagship event, which has been a significant platform in the region for the past eleven years, will take place in two different cities, offering double the insights, connections, and opportunities. Attendees, including founders, investors, decision-makers, regulators, and talents, can look forward to dedicated segments tailored to their specific interests and needs. The conference aims to foster meaningful interactions and provide impactful learning experiences, making it an essential event for those involved in APAC’s tech and startup sectors.
3. Mobile World Congress Asia
Location: Shanghai, China
MWC Shanghai is an influential event in the connectivity ecosystem. It’s a key venue where leading companies and pioneers share insights on connectivity’s evolution and future. The event features debates shaping society’s interaction with technology and showcases groundbreaking tech demonstrations. A highlight of MWC Shanghai is the 5GIn event, a dedicated hall that connects investors with startups, fostering innovation and nurturing ideas poised to impact the world.
4. Echelon 2024
Location: Singapore City, Singapore
Echelon is a tech business conference and tradeshow designed to empower a diverse range of stakeholders, including startups, investors, corporates, SMEs, and governments. The event focuses on providing market insights, a startup growth program, a digital solution marketplace, market access programs, brand credibility, and mindshare. It aims to drive innovation and sustainable growth within the resilient Southeast Asia tech ecosystem. The conference features content stages with keynotes, panel discussions, and fireside chats that delve into trends, insights, and leadership topics relevant to the Southeast Asia tech and startup community. Additionally, Echelon hosts the TOP100 program, which spotlights promising early-stage startups from Southeast Asia, offering them regional exposure, funding opportunities, mentorship, and business matching programs to accelerate their growth.
5. SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program
Location: Tokyo, Japan
SusHi Tech Tokyo is a global innovation conference, aims to forge new connections within the global and domestic startup ecosystems to tackle shared urban challenges. Over two days, the event will convene a diverse array of stakeholders – including leading startups, investors, corporates, and student entrepreneurs – to address key urban issues through sustainable and innovative solutions. The conference will feature thought leadership sessions, a major pitch contest, and numerous booth exhibits, focusing on themes such as Infrastructure, Environment, Living, Culture, and Impact. Additionally, it provides a substantial platform for business matching and networking, making it a pivotal event for those looking to drive change and growth in urban tech sectors.
6. Y-Ship Convention
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Yokohama, renowned for its prestigious Pacifico Yokohama Convention Center, has a rich history of hosting international conventions. Among these is the rapidly emerging Y-SHIP, an international convention dedicated to nurturing open innovation. This event draws professionals and businesses from both Japan and around the world, all united by a focus on Green Transformation. Y-SHIP sets the stage in Yokohama for pioneering minds eager to engage with new challenges and showcase the capabilities of a sustainable city. This makes it a must-attend event for those looking to be at the forefront of environmental and technological advancement.
7. Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2024
Location: Singapore City, Singapore
Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) is organized by the Infocomm Media Development Authority and Informa Tech, and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, it represents a unique convergence of technology, business, and government. The event includes the ATxSummit, an invitation-only discussion platform for government and global enterprises, and ATxEnterprise, which showcases the latest in tech across various co-located events like BroadcastAsia and TechXLR8 Asia. ATxSG offers a vital networking and knowledge-sharing hub for those at the forefront of the digital economy.
8. InnoVex
Location: Taipei City, Taiwan
InnoVEX is known for its International Forums and Pitch Demos. In 2023, the event gathered over 60 luminaries from the global tech and startup community to discuss emerging technology trends and innovations. Central to InnoVEX is the Pitch Demos of some of the most inventive startups, providing a dynamic platform for entrepreneurs to present their cutting-edge ideas to a worldwide audience. These Pitch Demos not only offer a competitive stage for recognition but also serve as a fertile ground for networking with investors, industry leaders, and fellow innovators. InnoVEX 2023 is a celebration of innovation and a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entrepreneurship.
9. Growth Industry Conference
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Growth Industry Conference (GRIC) is one of the largest hybrid conferences in Japan. It is a free conference, to uplift Japan’s startup ecosystem to meet global benchmarks, acting as both a worldwide conference and a community hub. The event showcases an array of programs, ranging from online to offline sessions, GRIC PITCH (over 120 judges), speed dating, online networking, and more. Participants will have the chance to truly engage with leading startups, network with investors, gain global visibility through pitch stages, network at the Meetup Zone, and partake in informative sessions like Fireside Chats. This conference is designed to strengthen the bonds between Japanese and international startups, investors, and experts opening new ways for international players to enter the Japanese ecosystem.
9. Meet Taipei
Location: Taipei City, Taiwan
Since its inception in 2014, Meet Taipei has established itself as a premier festival where startups come together to share ideas and form connections with enterprises, research institutes, and government officials. This event is designed to foster a nurturing ecosystem for innovative new businesses. As the largest startup festival in Asia, Meet Taipei has, over the past nine years, drawn in more than 3,350 local and 480 international startups. The festival offers a packed schedule. Participants engage in continuous conferences, networking opportunities with foreign venture capitalists, and compete in front of local judges. Additionally, there are ‘show and tell’ sessions where startups can showcase their innovations. Meet Taipei is more than just an event; it’s a vibrant hub of opportunity for emerging businesses and entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the dynamic Asian market.
10. Take Off Tokyo
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Founded in 2023, Takeoff Tokyo is a dynamic two-day event that brings together founders, investors, media, and key players from the global ecosystem. This event provides a platform for startups to engage in competitive pitch contests, while entrepreneurs and investors share insights and experiences through panel discussions. Designed to cater to a diverse international audience, Takeoff Tokyo serves as an essential gathering for those looking to connect, learn, and contribute to the startup ecosystem.
As Asia continues to emerge as an important powerhouse of innovation, the continent’s startup ecosystems are undergoing a period of unprecedented growth and transformation. These top startup events in Asia provide a unique platform for entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and government representatives to connect, share knowledge, and forge partnerships that drive innovation and sustainable growth. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or simply an enthusiast of cutting-edge technologies, these events are a platform to connect yourself with the world of innovation and discover new business opportunities.
