Echelon 2014 set to take the pulse of Asia’s innovation

• Fifth Echelon set to take place June 10-11 in Singapore
• DNA readers can claim a 10% discount off tickets

THE fifth edition of Echelon is set to be the biggest yet, with over 60 speakers presenting at one of Asia’s largest technology, startup and business events taking place from June 10-11 in Singapore.
 
Amongst this year’s speakers is Eren Bali, cofounder and chairman at Udemy, the world’s largest marketplace for teaching and learning with over three million students and 8,000 instructors. He will be speaking on how to build a marketplace business.
 
Other notable speakers include 9GAG cofounder Ray Chan and 500 Startups founding partner Dave McClure, who 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 features 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, crypto-currency, online payments and globalisation. The full Echelon 2014 agenda can be found here.
 
Mohan Belani (pic), cofounder and chief executive officer of event organiser e27, said that with each successive edition, Echelon gets “bigger and more vibrant.”
 
“The true stars of Echelon are the people and organisations that support the event. Startups work tirelessly on innovating and building their businesses, and as organisers, 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 South-East 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 South-East Asia the centre for innovation, technology and business,” he said in a statement.
 
Close to 2,000 delegates are expected at Echelon this year, a 30% increase from 2013, with SingTel Innov8 as the title sponsor.
 
Its chief executivfe officer Edgar Hardless said that Echelon was “one of the key events in the startup calendar.”
 
“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 South-East Asia.
 
"These opportunities are not just confined to the region as it has never been more accessible for a startup from South-East Asia to reach a global audience,” he added.
 
Asia’s startups and Echelon 2014 have been gaining global interest from international organisations that see opportunities to create more global opportunities for Asian startups, e27 said in a statement.

One of Echelon 2014’s premier sponsors is UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), whose representative Dr Harveen Chugh, saying 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 United Kingdom for such companies, such as that provided through UKTI's Global Entrepreneur Programme and UKTI Sirius (graduate entrepreneurs) Programme.”
 
Also making its debut at Echelon 2014 is Echelon Connect, a business matchmaking app that will allow conference delegates to have a full conference and exhibition guide, and also set up meetings and make connections with relevant parties.
 
Other highlights of Echelon 2014 include:
 
Top 60 Startup Marketplace

Sixty promising technology startups have been selected from a rigorous two-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.

Top 10 Startup Launchpad

A staple of Echelon events that puts disruptive technology, scalable business models and amazing pitches all on one stage. 10 startups from the Top 60 will be selected to pitch onstage to a panel of seasoned investors with International access to the global tech industry.
 
Judges include SingTel Innov8’s Hardless, Global Brain president and CEO Yasuhiko Yurimoto, 500 Startups’ McClure and Monk’s Hill Ventures’ Stefan Jung.
 
Tech Alley

Delegates can expect a total of 100 exhibitors from Startup Marketplace, comprising regional technology companies, growth stage companies and sponsors. This year’s exhibition space will combine all booths at a single location, giving easy access for delegates to interact with all the exhibitors, e27 said.
 
Echelon is offering Digital News Asia readers a 10% discount off regular ticket prices. To take advantage of this special deal, just click here or enter the promotional code: DigitalNewsAsiaRocks.

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