This year’s APAC Summit in Singapore brought together a vibrant mix of innovators, startups, corporate representatives, and government officials to explore the latest advancements across key industries, including health, enterprise AI, financial services, and sustainable cities. Hosted by Plug and Play, the APAC summit provided a platform for leaders and disruptors to connect, showcase groundbreaking technologies, and discuss how to adapt to changing times.
The event featured over 20 corporate speakers and more than 50 startups pitching their innovations, along with dedicated investor speed dating sessions. It highlighted the importance of collaboration between startups and established organizations to tackle industry challenges and foster forward-looking partnerships.
Let’s recap the key moments from this APAC Summit that fostered impactful connections and innovative ideas.
Announcement and Corporate Panels
This year, we welcomed onboard 11 new partners, including the Economic Development Board of Singapore, through their Corporate Venture Launchpad 3.0 initiative, marking a significant milestone in our collaborative efforts to drive growth in the region.
The day commenced with an engaging opening keynote by Hirotaka Ishizaka, Chief Sustainability Officer of Mitsubishi Corporation in Singapore. His thought-provoking presentation, “The Partnership Playbook for Successful Startup-Corporate Collaborations,” set the tone for the discussions ahead, emphasizing the importance of strategic alliances in today's fast-paced business environment.
The summit featured a series of expert panels, each focused on critical topics shaping industries today:
Navigating AI in Financial Services: This panel delved into the transformative impact of AI on the financial sector, exploring how these technologies are revolutionizing operations, customer interactions, and strategic decision-making while addressing the associated challenges.
Confronting Global Challenges: The Sustainable Cities Corporate Panel tackled pressing global issues, including climate change and security threats. The discussion highlighted how innovation and emerging technologies are applied to develop smart, sustainable infrastructure.
Seizing International Opportunities: Our Government panel brought together regional leaders to share insights on navigating the complexities of entering new markets in the APAC region, providing essential strategies and overcoming barriers for startups.
Future-Proofing Healthcare: In the Health Corporate Panel, key stakeholders from Roche, Cathay Life, and Amplify Health discussed innovative financing models aimed at supporting advancements in healthcare, ensuring both sustainability and accessibility for patients.
Fostering the Startup Ecosystem: After lunch, the Ecosystem Panel explored the critical elements of building a thriving startup ecosystem. Experts shared insights on collaboration among stakeholders, emphasizing how to leverage local strengths for enhanced growth and differentiation.
Startup Pitches and Fireside Chats
The afternoon kicked off with an engaging lineup of startup pitches, showcasing innovative solutions across four key verticals: Sustainable Cities, Health, Financial Services, and Enterprise AI.
Sustainable Cities Showcase
During the Sustainable Cities showcase, a fireside chat featured innovative approaches from various startups focused on creating more sustainable urban environments. Industry leaders engaged in discussions about the pressing challenges that cities face, including corporate decarbonization, and how entrepreneurial solutions can effectively address these issues.
Key themes from the startup pitches included the use of eco-friendly materials for sustainability and effective waste management. Additionally, the integration of AI and IoT technologies was highlighted as a means to enhance urban living. The importance of real-time monitoring and data transparency was also emphasized to improve efficiency and safety, demonstrating a collective effort to build smarter, more sustainable cities.
Startup Showcase: HYDGEN, Safe Air, GrowLights, Keyoors, Willog, AETECH, Saesol Tech, Stratio Technology, ERTH, Ultimeat, Antbuildz, Transitry, Alterpacks, InSynerger Technology, naturethings
Health Showcase
The health sector featured a compelling trend report titled "Aging Well: Maximizing Lifespan and Healthspan." In an era where longevity is becoming a key focus in healthcare, this presentation explored transformative health trends aimed at empowering individuals to live longer and healthier lives. By examining innovative startups at the forefront of this movement, we discovered how technology is reshaping our understanding of aging and enhancing both lifespan and healthspan.
Aligned with the trends in "Aging Well," the Health Showcase presented innovative ideas ranging from preventive care to wellness programs. Startups are focusing on wearable devices and data-driven platforms for real-time monitoring, which enables more proactive health management. Personalized care solutions emphasize prevention by tailoring treatments to meet individual needs, while remote care innovations expand healthcare access beyond traditional settings. Together, these trends illustrate how technology is advancing both lifespan and healthspan.
Startup Showcase: Aktivo Labs, MyMedVault, DolbomDream, QUVE, Beyond Medicine, Zentry, Care Concierge, Meracle Health
Financial Services Showcase
To open the Financial Services Showcase, we started with a fireside chat titled "Partnership Without Borders." This discussion centered on how corporations and associations support startups in Southeast Asia. The conversation highlighted the collaborative efforts that foster a nurturing ecosystem for innovation and empower entrepreneurs.
Following the fireside chat, the Financial Services Showcase featured startups harnessing technology to reshape finance. Three key themes emerged: data-driven insights, AI-powered automation, and financial accessibility. Startups like Quantrack and Teleskop Technologies are making complex financial information actionable through AI, supporting more intelligent decision-making. Automation was another standout, with companies like fileAI and Protos Labs leveraging AI to streamline processes and reduce manual workloads. Finally, enhancing financial access and engagement emerged as a priority, with iFarmer supporting underserved farmers and On-us using FinTech to deepen customer relationships. Together, these innovations reflect a forward-looking approach to making finance more accessible, efficient, and impactful.
Startup Showcase: Quantrack, fileAI, Protos Labs, On-us, iFarmer, Teleskop Technologies
Enterprise AI Showcase
Lastly, the Enterprise AI vertical showcased a diverse lineup of startups focused on transforming business operations, security, and customer engagement. Key areas include AI-driven automation, from managing customer experiences to optimizing engineering performance. Startups also presented advanced cybersecurity solutions, addressing data privacy, compliance, and secure document sharing. Additionally, personalized engagement solutions were highlighted, showcasing platforms that improve user experience through data insights and targeted marketing. These startups illustrate how technology is enhancing efficiency, securing digital environments, and creating more meaningful customer interactions across industries.
Startup Showcase: KAI, BroRoots, TAPP! Global Technologies, Trace+, Juniper IT Solutions, Pulsifi, Tatum, Teiren, UROCK Inc., CatchSecu, Enki WhiteHat, Inka Entworks, Muzlive, Stephow, Blux, KiddoCare, Ejen2u, Zavior, Identi.ly, Cybernatics, Hexcore Labs, SortieLab, Proofmarked, CipherPlus, KittyKat, Entitl, DevBoost by iTechGenic Global Pte Ltd, Alpha Story
As we conclude our recap of this year’s APAC Summit, we’re grateful to have provided an innovation platform that supports meaningful connections and bold visions for the future. From showcasing game-changing technologies to exploring the critical role of partnerships in addressing complex challenges, this summit demonstrated the region’s deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and transformation. We extend our thanks to everyone who attended—our corporate partners, government personnel, startups, investors, and community partners. We hope that this APAC Summit served as a catalyst for exchanging ideas and sparking new initiatives.
We look forward to seeing these conversations and collaborations develop in the coming months, anticipating even greater advancements and stronger alliances at the next APAC Summit.
