Details
As innovation increasingly shapes international competitiveness, many promising start-ups continue to face challenges in scaling beyond their domestic markets. Regulatory complexity, access to finance, talent shortages, and limited connections with established industries often hinder their international expansion. The programme therefore focusessed on the broader conditions that enable innovation-driven growth, examining topics such as competitiveness, smart regulation, human capital, investment, and international business cooperation.
By bringing together innovative start-ups, established companies, investors, policymakers and researchers, the seminar strengthened dialogue about innovation-driven growth, cross-border partnerships and long-term economic cooperation between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Agenda
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
