Details
Programm
Tuesday, October 27 2026
Welcome Remarks
- Mr. Paul Linnarz, Country Representative Japan, KAS Japan Office and Director, Regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS)
Keynote Speech: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Cooperation between Europe and the Asia-Pacific
- Mr. Looi Teck Kheong - Vice President, APAC, International AI Safety Commission; Global AI Ambassador & President, Singapore Chapter, Global Council for Responsible AI
Session 1: Building Competitive Start-up Ecosystems - Why Scaling Innovation in Asia-Pacific Remains Challenging
Panelists:
- Dr. Tham Siew Yean - Visiting Senior Fellow, Regional Economic Studies, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
- Mr. Lee Yoong Yoong – Strategic Advisor, ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum
- Mr. Nyantha Maw Lin – Co-founder, Catalyst Economics
Moderation:
- Dr. Watcharas Leelawath – Honorary Advisor, Bolliger & Company, Thailand
Session 2: Enabling Innovation through Smart Regulation - Creating the Right Frameworks for Emerging Technologies
Panelists:
- Mr. Looi Teck Kheong - Vice President, APAC, International AI Safety Commission
- Mr. JoonMo Kim - Founder & CEO, MOFIN
- Prof. Dr. Aini Suzana Ariffin - Vice Chair, Policy & Governance, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Asia and the Pacific Network (STEPAN) – UNESCO
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Ms. Melinda Martinus – Fellow, ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute
Session 3: Building Talent for Innovation - Developing Human Capital for the Next Generation of Start-ups
Panelists:
- Prof. Dr. Akira Ichikawa - Professor and Dean, Center for Global Innovation Studies, Toyo University
- Mr. Radityo Susilo - Co-Founder & CEO, Gapai
- Ms. Jiwon Ok - Founder and CEO of Ivy Bridge
- Prof. Dr. Daeil Nam - Executive Director for KUBS Startup Station, Korea University Business School
- Mr. Sopha Sum - Founder & CEO, Jobify Cambodia
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Mr. Trần Trí Dũng - Program Manager, Swiss Entrepreneurship Program, Viet Nam
Wednesday, October 28 2026
Keynote 2: From Innovation to Scale: The Role of Start-ups in Regional Competitiveness
Keynote speaker:
- Mr. James Tan – Managing Partner, Quest Ventures
Session 4: From Start-up to Scale-up - Financing Growth and International Expansion
Panelists:
- Mr. James Tan – Managing Partner, Quest Ventures
- Mr. Viet Hai Ho – Co-Founder & CEO, Alternō
- Mr. Wei Siang Chan – Executive Director, Toyonaka Investment and Consultancy Pte Ltd
- Mr. KyungJin Hyung – CEO of Blissvine Ventures
- Mr. Shreyansh Pandey – Co-Founder & COO, STRAWCTURE ECO
- Discussion and Q&A moderated by
Mr. Bayu Seto – Partner, Living Lab Ventures
Session 6: Building Long-term Innovation Partnerships - Strengthening Cooperation between Europe and the Asia-Pacific
Panelists:
- Ms. Sandra Min – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, The Burgundy Hills Company
- Mr. Tae-Yeon (Erik) Shin – Co-Founder & CEO, Pomona AI
- Mr. Jooch (Jucheol) Nam – Founder and CEO, Luxe Goods
- Ms. Linda Horng – Founder, Farmily
Moderation:
- Mr. JoonMo Kim – Founder & CEO, MOFIN