Top 20 Startup Events for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2025
Asia's vibrant startup ecosystem continues to burgeon, offering early-stage startups numerous opportunities for networking, funding, and honing their business acumen. In 2025, several key events stand out that provide exceptional platforms for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Here’s a carefully curated list of the Top 20 Startup Events for Early-Stage Startups in Asia in 2025, detailing their focus areas, highlights, and audience engagement opportunities.
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1. GITEX ASIA
When: April 23-25, 2025
Where: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Highlights: GITEX ASIA aims to bridge emerging startups with global enterprises and investors. The event features programming such as AI EVERYTHING ASIA and the North Star Summit.
Expected Attendees: 1,000+ global enterprises, 25,000+ tech buyers, and 250+ investors.
Focus Areas: AI, healthcare, fintech, and more.
Networking Opportunities: Concierge matchmaking for startups and investors.
2. Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH)
When: To be announced
Where: Singapore
Highlights: Celebrating its 10th year, SWITCH converges leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors across various sectors.
Key Programs: SLINGSHOT startup pitching finals, market access programs, and roundtable discussions.
Focus Areas: Healthcare, sustainable technologies, and urban solutions.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with a global innovation network.
3. Tech in Asia Conference
When: To be announced (Presale tickets available)
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Jakarta, Indonesia
Highlights: Brings together the startup and tech communities of the APAC region for networking and learning.
Target Audience: Founders, investors, and tech talents.
Focus: Specific interests within the tech sector.
Networking Opportunities: Designed for meaningful interactions.
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4. InnoVex
When: May 20-23, 2025
Where: Taipei City, Taiwan
Highlights: An international platform showcasing innovative startups through pitch demos to global audiences.
Key Activity: Pitch demos to investors and industry leaders.
Focus Areas: Cutting-edge innovations and ideas.
Networking Opportunities: Engage with investors and industry experts.
5. Asia Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit
When: April 2-3, 2025
Where: Shanghai, China
Highlights: Focused on advancements in cell and gene therapy innovations.
Target Audience: Professionals in biotech and healthcare.
Format: Summit style with presentations and discussions.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with distinguished professionals and other summits.
6. SusHi Tech Tokyo
When: May 8-10, 2025
Where: Tokyo, Japan
Highlights: One of Asia's largest startup conferences, especially for startups in robotics, AI, and AR/VR.
Participation: 600+ investors and industry leaders expected.
Scale: Over 40,000 innovators and 400 startups at the 2024 edition.
Networking Opportunities: Collaboration and market expansion with Japan’s tech ecosystem.
7. ASIA STARTUP SUMMIT - AI EDITION
When: April 22, 2025
Where: Singapore
Highlights: Focuses on AI’s impact on startups through a blend of networking, conferences and seminars.
Target Audience: Startups in tech and innovation sectors.
Organizer: French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.
Networking Opportunities: Engage with industry leaders from 1 pm to 7:30 pm.
8. RISE Hong Kong
When: To be announced
Where: Hong Kong
Highlights: A premier conference for showcasing early-stage startups to global business leaders and investors.
Target Audience: High-potential startups aspiring for global visibility.
Networking Opportunities: Significant opportunities for interaction with tech leaders.
Exposure: A platform for budding companies to shine.
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9. METAVSUMMIT
When: January 7-8, 2025
Where: Dubai, UAE
Highlights: Explores trends in metaverse technology and blockchain with insights from global leaders.
Focus Areas: Metaverse tech, blockchain, and immersive technologies.
Target Audience: Innovators interested in immersive tech.
Networking Opportunities: Learn directly from industry experts and peers.
10. WEB3 Phuket Forum
When: January 8, 2025
Where: Phuket, Thailand
Highlights: Focuses on the evolving decentralized future, encompassing blockchain and NFTs.
Target Audience: Innovators and investors in the Web3 space.
Exploration: Discuss emerging opportunities within the decentralized ecosystem.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded visionaries.
11. Startup Grind Global Conference
When: February 25-26, 2025
Where: Silicon Valley, USA (with online options)
Highlights: A global community of startups gathering to share knowledge and learn from success stories.
Target Audience: Entrepreneurs from all sectors, particularly in tech.
Focus Areas: In-depth workshops, networking, and sessions on entrepreneurial best practices.
Networking Opportunities: Engage with 10,000+ attendees from all over the world.
12. Rise of AI
When: March 15-17, 2025
Where: Singapore
Highlights: Explore the impact of AI across multiple industries and hear from thought leaders.
Target Audience: Tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
Focus Areas: AI applications, startups, and enterprises.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of industry experts.
13. Southeast Asia Blockchain Conference
When: August 7-8, 2025
Where: Bangkok, Thailand
Highlights: Designed to explore blockchain technologies and their applications in various sectors.
Target Audience: Blockchain enthusiasts, startups, and investors in the fintech space.
Focus Areas: Innovations in cryptocurrency, supply chain, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with leading figures in blockchain.
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14. Asia Pacific Tech Summit
When: June 12-13, 2025
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Highlights: Showcasing emerging technological innovations and startup growth throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Target Audience: Tech entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Focus Areas: Digital transformation, AI, IoT, and fintech.
Networking Opportunities: Access to workshops and panels featuring esteemed industry figures.
15. Global Fintech Festival
When: September 23-25, 2025
Where: Mumbai, India
Highlights: A premier gathering of fintech leaders focused on innovation and collaboration within the financial sector.
Target Audience: Fintech startups, investors, and regulators.
Focus Areas: Payments, lending, blockchain, and more.
Networking Opportunities: Engage with potential partners and customers.
16. NUS Enterprise Demo Day
When: July 10, 2025
Where: Singapore
Highlights: A platform for startups from the National University of Singapore to pitch to potential investors.
Target Audience: Early-stage startups looking for seed funding.
Focus Areas: Diverse industries represented by university-backed startups.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with investors and industry veterans.
17. TechFest
When: October 15-16, 2025
Where: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Highlights: A networking event designed to foster innovation and collaboration within Vietnam's tech ecosystem.
Target Audience: Startups, investors, and collaborations.
Focus Areas: Technology-driven innovation and start-up support services.
Networking Opportunities: Dynamic interactions among tech leaders, innovators, and startups.
18. InnovFest Unbound
When: June 3-4, 2025
Where: Singapore
Highlights: An expansive festival incorporating technology exhibits, networking opportunities, and start-up competitions.
Target Audience: Tech entrepreneurs, investors, and media.
Focus Areas: Digital innovation across various industries.
Networking Opportunities: Platforms for collaboration and partnership opportunities.
19. Alibaba Cloud Summit
When: November 5-6, 2025
Where: Singapore
Highlights: Bringing together cloud computing leaders to discuss the future of the industry.
Target Audience: Startups leveraging cloud technology in their businesses.
Focus Areas: Cloud advancements, AI, and machine learning.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with tech leaders and service providers.
20. Women in Tech Asia
When: October 24-25, 2025
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Highlights: A celebration of women innovators and leaders aiming to bridge the gender gap in tech.
Target Audience: Female entrepreneurs, advocates, and tech industry leaders.
Focus Areas: Empowerment, mentorship, and networking in tech.
Networking Opportunities: Meet and connect with influential women in the industry.
Note: Dates and details may be subject to change. It is advisable to check the official websites for the most current information.
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FAQ
Q: What is GITEX ASIA and when is it taking place?
A: GITEX ASIA is a large-scale technology and startup event in Asia, scheduled for April 23-25, 2025, at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. It aims to connect startups with global enterprises and investors. Learn more about GITEX ASIA.
Q: What is the focus of SWITCH, and when will it occur?
A: SWITCH focuses on innovation across various sectors including healthcare and smart cities. The 2025 event date is to be announced and will take place in Singapore. Discover more about SWITCH.
Q: Who should attend the Tech in Asia Conference?
A: Tech in Asia Conference is ideal for founders, investors, and decision-makers in the tech sector. The date is yet to be announced, and it will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. Learn more about Tech in Asia Conference.
Q: What opportunities does InnoVex provide for startups?
A: InnoVex, scheduled for May 20-23, 2025, in Taipei City, Taiwan, offers pitch demos for startups to present their innovations to investors and industry leaders. Explore InnoVex.
Q: What is the Asia Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Summit focused on?
A: This summit, happening on April 2-3, 2025, in Shanghai, China, focuses on cell and gene therapy innovations and targets professionals in the biotech and healthcare industries. Learn more about the Summit.
Q: When and where is the SusHi Tech Tokyo conference?
A: SusHi Tech Tokyo, one of the largest startup conferences in Asia, is set for May 8-10, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan, focusing on robotics, AI, and AR/VR. Discover SusHi Tech Tokyo.
Q: What topic will the ASIA STARTUP SUMMIT - AI EDITION cover?
A: This summit, taking place on April 22, 2025, in Singapore, will explore the impact of artificial intelligence on startups, featuring networking and conference sessions. Learn more about the AI Edition Summit.
Q: What is RISE Hong Kong known for?
A: RISE Hong Kong, with dates to be announced, is a prominent tech conference that offers early-stage startups a platform to showcase their innovations to global business leaders and investors. Explore RISE Hong Kong.
Q: What key themes will be discussed at the METAVSUMMIT?
A: METAVSUMMIT, scheduled for January 7-8, 2025, in Dubai, UAE, will delve into metaverse technology and blockchain, featuring talks from global leaders. Discover METAVSUMMIT.
Q: What opportunities does the WEB3 Phuket Forum provide?
A: Taking place on January 8, 2025, in Phuket, Thailand, the WEB3 Phuket Forum focuses on blockchain, NFTs, and Web3 technologies, ideal for innovators and investors in these fields. Learn more about the Web3 Phuket Forum.
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.
