Singapore: From 10 June to 11 June 2014, over 60 international speakers will be presenting at Asia’s premier technology, startup and business event, Echelon 2014. Amongst this year’s Internet luminaries, Eren Bali, Co-Founder and Chairman at Udemy, the world’s largest marketplace for teaching and learning with over 3 million students and 8,000 instructors, will be presenting on how to build a marketplace business.
Other Silicon Valley speakers include 9GAG Co-Founder, Ray Chan, and 500 Startups Founding Partner, Dave McClure. They will be addressing how technology startups can raise funds in Silicon Valley while being based in Asia, and the issues facing angel investment and startup accelerators, respectively.
The two-day event will also feature keynote sessions and panel discussions from business, technology and investment leaders on the future of Asia’s technology industry, the opportunities for growth, as well as in-depth sessions on trends shaping Internet business like e-commerce, mobile, cryptocurrency, online payments and globalization.
A full agenda of Echelon 2014 can be found at e27.co/echelon/agenda
Commenting on the opportunities in Asia’s growing technology and startup ecosystem, Edgar Hardless, CEO, SingTel Innov8 and Echelon 2014’s Title Sponsor, said:
“SingTel Innov8 is pleased to once again support Echelon, this time as the Title Sponsor for Echelon 2014, which is the largest startup conference in Southeast Asia. Echelon 2014 is one of the key events in the startup calendar and we are happy to work in partnership with e27 to make it happen.
At SingTel Innov8, we believe that there has never been a better time to be a technology entrepreneur, and that there are significant opportunities for startups across Southeast Asia.
These opportunities are not just confined to the region as it has never been more accessible for a startup from Southeast Asia to reach a global audience.”
Mohan Belani, Co-founder and CEO, e27, shares his motivations as an organizer:
“This is the fifth year that e27 is organizing Echelon, and every year it gets bigger and more vibrant. The true stars of Echelon are the people and organizations that support the event. Startups work tirelessly on innovating and building their businesses, and as organizers, we want to build a platform where they can meet the right people in Asia’s tech industry, who can help propel these disruptive ideas to the next level. We also see tremendous interest from companies, investors and corporates outside of Southeast Asia, who have identified the region’s viability as the next strategic growth market for their companies and investments. Through this, we aim to make Southeast Asia the center for innovation, technology and business.”
Asia’s startups and Echelon 2014 have been gaining global interest from international organizations, who see that there are ways to create more global opportunities for Asian startups. Representing the UK Trade & Investment, one of Echelon 2014’s Premier Sponsors, Dr Harveen Chugh, Talent Scout, Sirius Programme, UK Trade & Investment added that:
“Supporting Echelon 2014 is an excellent opportunity for UKTI to connect with innovation driven companies, to better understand the ecosystem they exist in and to highlight the support available from the UK for such companies, such as that provided through UKTI's Global Entrepreneur Programme and UKTI Sirius (graduate entrepreneurs) Programme. ”
Gareth Roberts, Deputy Head, Global Entrepreneur Programme, UK Trade & Investment also added:
“South-east Asia has long been recognised as a region where innovation thrives and UKTI would like to explore mutually beneficial business opportunities with businesses with global ambition.”
Close to 2,000 delegates are expected at Echelon 2014, a 30% increase from 2013.
Other highlights of Echelon 2014 include:
Top 60 Startup Marketplace
60 promising technology startups have been selected from a rigorous 2-stage process from over 400 entries and 11 different Satellite countries. Each startup pitched at a Satellite to a panel of local technology investors. These startups represent the most innovative technology products and businesses with a high potential for industry disruption and future investment.
A full list of the Top 60 startups can be found at e27.co/echelon/marketplace
Tech Alley
Delegates can expect a total of 100 exhibitors from Startup Marketplace, regional technology companies, growth stage companies and sponsors. This year’s exhibition space will combine all booths at a single location, allowing easy access for delegates to interact with all the exhibitors.
A full list of Tech Alley exhibitors can be found at e27.co/echelon/exhibition
