Top 25 Startup Competitions for AI Startups in Asia in 2025
Asia's AI startup ecosystem is dynamic and constantly evolving, providing ample opportunities for new startups to gain recognition, funding, and mentorship. Below is a comprehensive guide to the Top 25 Startup Competitions for AI Startups in Asia in 2025, highlighting essential details to help you decide which competitions to participate in or follow.
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1. GITEX ASIA
When: April 23 – 25, 2025
Where: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Focus: AI, Digital Health, Startups, Investment
Highlights:
- 1,000+ global enterprises and startups participating
- 25,000+ tech buyers expected
- 250+ active investors from 120+ countries
- Includes pitch competitions (Supernova)
- Showcases innovations in AI
- Learn more about GITEX ASIA
2. SuperAI Genesis
When: June 18-19, 2025
Where: Singapore
Focus: Early-stage AI startups
Highlights:
- 10 innovative startups to pitch
- Judged by an expert panel and the SuperAI community
- Genesis prize pool
- Pitch on stage opportunities
- Potential for "next AI unicorn"
- Find out more about SuperAI Genesis
3. Innov8 Start-up Competition at Asia Health
When: Likely mid-2025 (Event dates: July 16-18, 2025)
Where: Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Focus: Health tech, AI, Generative AI, Metaverse, AR/VR
Highlights:
- 10 startups shortlisted to pitch
- 4-minute pitch, 5-minute Q&A with judges
- Exhibition stand at Asia Health 2026 as a prize
- Free participation
- Categories include AI and Generative AI
- More details about Innov8 Start-up Competition
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4. Tech in Asia Conference: Startup Arena
When: Dates TBD in 2025
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Jakarta, Indonesia
Focus: General tech startups, including AI
Highlights:
- 5 finalists pitch live to investors
- Prize money and media coverage
- "Startup Factory" exhibition booth
- Travel stipends for finalists
- Investor connections
- Explore Tech in Asia Conference
5. FLY ASIA Awards
When: Likely October 2025
Where: Busan, Korea
Focus: Innovative startups in various sectors, including AI
Highlights:
- Attracts 10,000 experts, investors, and startups
- $180,000 in prize money
- Airfare and accommodation for representatives
- Networking party
- 50 startups in the final round
- Discover FLY ASIA Awards
6. InnoVex
When: May 20 – 23, 2025
Where: Taipei City, Taiwan
Focus: General tech startups with a focus on innovation
Highlights:
- Pitch demos for innovative startups
- Networking with investors and leaders
- International forums on innovation
- Focus on cutting-edge ideas
- More about InnoVex
7. KGCCI AI Startup Pitch Contest at NextRise
When: Likely June 2025
Where: Seoul, Korea
Focus: AI startups in Korea
Highlights:
- 6 Korean startups feature
- KGCCI membership and Innovation Awards
- Nomination opportunity for the Asian-Pacific Conference of German Business
- Networking with German and international companies
- Present solutions to business leaders
- Find out more about KGCCI AI Startup Pitch Contest
8. One ASEAN Startup Award
When: Likely mid-2025
Where: ASEAN region
Focus: Digital/AI and Impact startups within ASEAN
Highlights:
- $10,000 USD research fund per category
- Open to Southeast Asia-based startups
- Recognizes AI applications across sectors
- Recognizes social and environmental impact
- Promotes ASEAN startup growth
- Learn more about One ASEAN Startup Award
9. Asia Hot-Tech Battle
When: Likely mid-2025
Where: Multiple cities across Asia
Focus: AI, IoT, 5G, fintech, various tech sectors
Highlights:
- Up to 100,000 RMB in cash prizes
- Access to venture capital firms
- Media visibility with TechNode
- "Most investable startup" category
- City pitches across Asia
- Details on Asia Hot-Tech Battle
10. Supernova Pitch Competition at GITEX ASIA
When: April 23 – 25, 2025
Where: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Focus: General tech startups, including AI
Highlights:
- Pitch to global investors
- Prize pool over $100,000 USD
- Platform for showcasing innovation
- High investor diversity
- Event at GITEX ASIA
- Learn about Supernova Pitch Competition
Stay tuned for more updates as details on 2025 startup competitions continue to emerge. Each event provides unique opportunities for AI startups to shine, connect and grow.
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FAQ
Q: What event offers significant exposure to AI startups in Asia?
A: GITEX ASIA in Singapore provides a major platform with AI Everything Asia, connecting AI startups with investors. Explore GITEX ASIA.
Q: Which competition exclusively focuses on early-stage AI startups?
A: SuperAI Genesis in Singapore is specifically designed for innovative early-stage AI startups. Learn more about SuperAI Genesis.
Q: Where can health tech AI startups compete in Asia?
A: Innov8 Start-up Competition at Asia Health in Malaysia is an ideal event for health tech AI startups. Find out about Innov8 Start-up Competition.
Q: What event in Southeast Asia offers significant prize money?
A: FLY ASIA Awards in Korea offers a total prize pool of $180,000, making it a lucrative opportunity. Learn about FLY ASIA Awards.
Q: Which event provides pitching opportunities to international investors?
A: Tech in Asia Conference: Startup Arena in Malaysia & Indonesia allows startups to pitch to a panel of global investors. Discover Tech in Asia Conference & Explore Startup Arena.
Q: What event caters to various tech sectors including AI?
A: InnoVex in Taiwan serves multiple sectors including AI, offering pitch demos and networking opportunities. Learn about InnoVex.
Q: Which competition connects Korean AI startups to the global stage?
A: KGCCI AI Startup Pitch Contest at NextRise in Korea focuses on Korean AI startups and offers international exposure. Explore KGCCI AI Startup Pitch Contest.
Q: What awards promote AI startups within the ASEAN region?
A: One ASEAN Startup Award highlights AI and impact startups within ASEAN, boosting the regional startup ecosystem. Learn more about One ASEAN Startup Award.
Q: Where can AI startups compete across multiple Asian cities?
A: Asia Hot-Tech Battle features competitions in diverse cities like Beijing, Singapore, and Tokyo, offering cash prizes and VC access. Discover Asia Hot-Tech Battle.
Q: Which competition offers a large prize pool and global investor exposure?
A: Supernova Pitch Competition at GITEX ASIA in Singapore boasts a prize pool exceeding $100,000 and attracts a global audience. Learn about Supernova Pitch Competition.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
